FAA Commercial Pilot study guide
FAA Commercial Pilot · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Commercial Pilot - Airplane certificate is the FAA pilot credential that a pilot pursues after the private pilot level, qualifying the holder for piloting work that a private certificate does not permit. The standards for both the knowledge test and the practical test are published in the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for Commercial Pilot for Airplane Category, FAA-S-ACS-7B, issued April 2024 and effective May 31, 2024. The FAA Commercial Pilot study guide has 11 sections and about 4,113 words.
01Preflight Preparation
Preflight preparation is where the examiner separates pilots who memorize lists from pilots who understand the regulation behind the list. Know 14 CFR 91.103: before any flight you must become familiar with all available information , which specifically includes runway lengths at airports of intended use, takeoff and landing distance data, weather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, and alternatives if the flight cannot be completed as planned.
350 words, about 2 min02Preflight Procedures
A preflight inspection is a structured comparison of the aircraft against its POH and its own normal condition. You are looking for three things: airworthiness (safety, security, obvious damage), servicing (fuel quantity and grade, oil, tires, brake fluid), and configuration (gust locks removed, controls free and correct, fuel selector on Both/proper tank, trim set).
368 words, about 2 min03Airport and Seaplane Base Operations
Airport operations questions test whether you can interpret markings, signs, lighting, and the traffic pattern. Learn the families: mandatory instruction signs (red background, white letters - hold short, runway location), location signs (black with yellow letters), direction/destination signs (yellow or green), and the runway holding position marking (two solid bars = hold short; solid plus dashed = on the movement side).
440 words, about 2 min04Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds
Fourteen questions in this area usually hinge on which speed and which technique belongs to which takeoff. Normal: accelerate to rotation speed, establish Vy.
345 words, about 2 min05Performance and Ground Reference Maneuvers
Density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature, and it is the single most tested performance concept. High density altitude raises takeoff and landing distances, reduces climb rate, and increases true airspeed for a given indicated airspeed.
385 words, about 2 min06Navigation
Pilotage uses visible landmarks; dead reckoning uses time, heading, and airspeed; radio navigation uses ground-based or satellite aids. A commercial candidate should be fluent in all three and in the conversions among true, magnetic, and compass headings.
338 words, about 2 min07Slow Flight and Stalls
A wing stalls at the critical angle of attack, not at a particular airspeed, attitude, or power setting. Any configuration, weight, or attitude that reaches the critical angle stalls - that includes a nose-high, full-power climb.
389 words, about 2 min08High Altitude Operations
Under 14 CFR 91.211, required crew must use supplemental oxygen when the cabin pressure altitude is between 12,500 and 14,000 ft MSL for more than 30 minutes, and continuously above 14,000 ft MSL. Passengers must be provided oxygen above 15,000 ft MSL.
348 words, about 2 min09Emergency Operations
14 CFR 91.3 makes the pilot in command directly responsible for the operation and final authority, and permits deviation from the rules in an in-flight emergency to the extent required. You do not need ATC permission to deviate - you declare the emergency and ATC supports you.
391 words, about 2 min10Multiengine Operations
A twin-engine airplane's second engine is a trade: more power, but the loss of one engine creates yaw, roll, and a large performance penalty. Learn the V-speeds as definitions, not letters.
398 words, about 2 min11Postflight Procedures
Postflight begins on rollout. Complete the after-landing checklist (flaps up, carb heat cold, trim reset, transponder standby), then taxi at a safe speed with the sterile cockpit discipline maintained until the aircraft is parked.
361 words, about 2 min