Programs in commercial pilot and flight crew training prepare people to work in commercial air transportation. Students learn to operate airplanes or helicopters. They study navigation, safety, and aircraft design and performance. They learn how members of flight crews work together.

Think of movies where the main character has to fly an airplane under difficult conditions. Danger, high adventure, even comedy ensue. When you enroll in a program to become a commercial pilot, you may not have a million stories to tell about your experiences. But you will be entering a field that has great responsibility and some thrills as well.

Getting a commercial pilot's certificate moves you closer to a career as a professional pilot. As a commercial pilot, you can act as a "pilot in command" of a plane you are hired to fly. Once you become a commercial pilot and log enough flight hours, you can become hired by an airline or similar commercial flight company. These companies then train you to become part of a flight crew. This usually means that you and one or more other pilots study how to fly specific types of aircraft. You also learn how to work together based on who is in charge. The highest ranking pilot, the captain, is in command.

In commercial pilot training, you review basic flying maneuvers. These include takeoff, landing, and taxiing. You also study basic flight safety and preflight procedures. In addition, you learn more advanced in-flight maneuvers. You also learn how to fly longer distances, at night, and in different weather situations.

Flight crew training concentrates on specific airplanes. For example, you might learn how to fly a Boeing 747. You also learn how to handle different kinds of cargo and correct safety and survival procedures. In addition, you learn how to work as a team. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, flight crew training also includes instruction about handling hostile situations, including fending off attacks.

Program lengths vary depending on the type of school, the type of flight training, and the student's ability to learn and master the required knowledge and skills. Some community colleges and universities offer two-year associate degree programs. These programs usually prepare students to take the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) written exams. They may also include flight lab courses. Private flight schools, independent flight instructors, the military, and self-study of written materials are other training possibilities. To be licensed, students must pass FAA written, oral, and flight tests supervised by an FAA examiner or inspector.

Commercial pilots can work for private companies or become self-employed. They can fly planes for crop dusting, advertising, or skydiving.