FAA Commercial Pilot study plan
FAA Commercial Pilot · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Preflight Preparation
Compute density altitude and takeoff/landing distances from tabular and graphic performance data by hand, showing every step
Calculate weight-and-balance with a forward and aft limit case, including the effect of fuel burn on CG travel
Recite the commercial pilot privilege, currency, medical, and record-keeping requirements without reference
Decode a METAR, TAF, and winds-aloft forecast and derive headwind/crosswind components for a chosen runway
Your checkpoint
A one-page weight-and-balance/performance reference sheet with two fully worked examples, plus a 40-question self-made quiz scored at 80% or better
Preflight Preparation & Preflight Procedures
Interpret AIRMETs, SIGMETs, PIREPs, and convective outlooks and state the go/no-go decision each one drives
Sequence a complete preflight: weather, NOTAMs, performance, fuel, and aircraft airworthiness/inspection status
Explain the required inspections, equipment lists, and maintenance records that authorize a given flight
Deliver a 15-minute spoken preflight briefing covering weather, performance, and risk mitigations
Your checkpoint
A recorded 15-minute oral preflight brief, self-scored against a written 10-item rubric with no item below acceptable
Performance and Ground Reference Maneuvers & Slow Flight and Stalls
Calculate pivotal altitude for given ground speeds and describe entry and correction technique for eights on pylons
Compute stall speed at increased load factor and explain the aerodynamic sequence of an accelerated stall
Describe the setup, entry, recognition, and recovery for power-on and power-off stalls and slow flight at commercial standards
Explain how ground reference maneuvers demonstrate division of attention and wind-drift correction
Your checkpoint
A 10-problem calculation set (pivotal altitude, load factor, stall speed) solved with shown work at 100% accuracy
Emergency Operations & Airport and Seaplane Base Operations
Write from memory the emergency checklist flows for engine failure in flight, engine fire, and emergency descent
Explain lost-communication procedures and the decision sequence for precautionary versus forced landings
Identify runway/taxiway signage, markings, and lighting and describe runway-incursion avoidance procedures
Contrast landplane and seaplane base operating considerations, including taxiing, noise-abatement, and right-of-way
Complete a timed mixed practice test and log every missed item with the corrective fact
Your checkpoint
A timed 50-question mixed test covering domains I, II, III, V, VII, and IX scored at 80% or better, with a written error log
Navigation & Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds
Build a full cross-country navigation log using dead reckoning, correcting for variation, deviation, and wind
Calculate fuel, time, and true airspeed for each leg and verify against a second method
Explain VOR, GPS/RNAV, and magnetic-compass errors and how each affects course tracking
Describe normal, crosswind, short-field, and soft-field takeoff and landing procedures to commercial tolerances, plus go-around decision criteria
Your checkpoint
A complete cross-country nav log (minimum 3 legs) with all headings, times, and fuel figures independently verified within 2 minutes and 0.5 gallon per leg
Multiengine Operations & High Altitude Operations
Explain the factors that determine Vmc and how weight, CG, density altitude, and bank angle change it
Compute or estimate single-engine service ceiling, drift-down, and climb performance from multiengine data
Describe asymmetrical-thrust effects and the identify-verify-feather sequence
Explain pressurization, supplemental oxygen requirements, hypoxia, and time-of-useful-consciousness in high-altitude operations
Your checkpoint
A 30-question quiz on multiengine and high-altitude operations scored at 85% or better, with a one-page Vmc factor summary
Postflight Procedures & Emergency Operations & Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds
Re-answer every previously missed question and state the corrected reasoning aloud
Describe postflight procedures: parking and securing, tie-down or mooring, servicing, discrepancy reporting, and debrief
Explain the logbook entries and endorsements required after a commercial flight
Re-run the two weakest topics from weeks 1-6 until each scores above 85%
Your checkpoint
A cleared error log (zero unresolved missed items) plus a 60-question weak-area retest scored at 85% or better
Preflight Preparation & Preflight Procedures & Airport and Seaplane Base Operations & Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds & Performance and Ground Reference Maneuvers & Navigation & Slow Flight and Stalls & High Altitude Operations & Emergency Operations & Multiengine Operations & Postflight Procedures
Complete two full-length practice exams under timed conditions across all eleven domains
Review each missed item to root cause (knowledge gap, misread, or calculation error) and log it
Recite the highest-risk regulatory and performance facts cold in a final rapid-fire review
Confirm readiness by comparing final scores against a written pass threshold
Your checkpoint
Two timed full-length practice exams both scored at 80% or better, with a completed root-cause error summary
Milestones
Week 2: Deliver a 15-minute oral preflight brief and score your first 40-question baseline practice test to establish a starting score
Week 4: Score 80% or better on a timed 50-question mixed test covering domains I, II, III, V, VII, and IX
Week 6: Score 85% or better on the multiengine/high-altitude quiz and confirm every domain has been studied at least once
Week 8: Score 80% or better on two timed full-length practice exams and show a fully cleared error log