Commercial pilot certificate
The certificate that lets you be paid to fly — requirements, privileges and the instrument-rating limitation.
The commercial pilot certificate (CPL) allows you to be paid to fly. It's the gateway to professional aviation, though the *operation* you fly for usually needs its own authorization.
Requirements: at least 250 hours of flight time with specific cross-country, night, instrument and complex/technically-advanced training (§ 61.129), plus a knowledge test and a practical test to higher standards than the private. A second-class medical is required to exercise commercial privileges.
Privileges: act as PIC carrying persons or property for compensation or hire, and fly for compensation, provided you're properly qualified and the operation complies with the applicable rules.
The catch: a commercial certificate makes *you* a professional pilot, but most commercial operations (carrying the public) require the operator to hold a Part 119/121/135 certificate — the CPL alone doesn't let you advertise and fly people around.
Key limitation: without an instrument rating in the same category/class, your certificate prohibits carrying passengers for hire on cross-countries over 50 nm or at night. Adding the instrument rating removes it.
What's next: add ratings (instrument, multi-engine, CFI) and build toward the ATP for airline flying.
*Reference and training only — verify current requirements with the FAA.*