A Commercial Pilot is a person who can legally get paid as a Pilot. This is your first big step into the world of Aviation. You can now choose many of the options you have. Many become Flight Instructors to build time or there are other options such as Banner Towing or Ariel Survey. This is where you get real world experience as a Pilot to build hours for the Airlines. Airlines in the US require 1500 Hours of Flight Time to be offered employment.
*Eligibility requirements to be a Commercial Pilot:
- 250 hours of flight time, 100 hours of which must be in powered aircraft, and 50 must be in airplanes.
- 100 hours of pilot-in-command time, 50 of which must be in airplanes.
- 50 hours of cross-country time, 10 of which must be in an airplane.
- 20 hours of training, including 10 of instrument, 10 of complex or TAA, and a smattering of cross-country and practical test preparation.
- 10 hours of solo training, including a smattering of cross-country and night.
*Source: https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/active-pilots/safety-and-technique/operations/commercial-pilot-certificate