How Long Does It Take to Get Your Private and Commercial Pilot Licenses Back to Back?
When I lost my pilot's license a few years ago due to medical reasons, I realized the full extent of the commitment and dedication required to earn this license. Specifically, I couldn't pass the physical exam due to heart problems. However, this article aims to illuminate the typical timeframes and factors that influence the process of obtaining your Private Pilot License (PPL) and Commercial Pilot License (CPL) consecutively.
Timeframe for Private to Commercial Pilot License
The journey from a Private Pilot License (PPL) to a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) typically spans about one to one and a half years, depending on your level of dedication and study. However, it's important to note that in today's aviation industry, holding a commercial certificate is often not essential unless you plan to build a career in aviation.
Getting Your PPL Quickly
Surprisingly, the time required to acquire a PPL can vary significantly based on your level of commitment and the weather conditions in your training area. Flight training is largely self-paced, allowing you to control your schedule. With an aggressive training schedule and favorable weather conditions, some individuals can complete a PPL in as little as two to three months!
My Personal Experience and the Real Learning Phase
Despite all the factors that can influence training times, my personal experience as an example might give you a clearer picture. I managed to obtain both the US FAA and European EASA PPLs in just three weeks. Following that, a full year of intensive training led to me earning my EASA CPL/IR with incredible ATPL theory, which took an additional six months of dedicated study. This was quite challenging compared to the FAA equivalent. Finally, it took another few months to obtain my FAA CPL/IR.
Calculating everything, the total time from start to finishing both certifications was just under two years. However, I believe that this period was not just about the certifications themselves but also about the deeper learning that comes with extensive flight experience.
Conclusion
While the exact time can vary greatly depending on your personal circumstances, the key takeaway is that both PPL and CPL can be achieved in a relatively short timeframe with a focused and driven approach. So, for those considering a leap into aviation, remember that the primary challenge lies in the dedication and effort required to achieve the goal.