Regulation Text
(a) General. A person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor, or complete a home-study course, on the aeronautical knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of this section that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
(b) Aeronautical knowledge areas. (1) Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that relate to commercial pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;
(2) Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;
(3) Basic aerodynamics and the principles of flight;
(4) Meteorology to include recognition of critical weather situations, windshear recognition and avoidance, and the use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;
(5) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft;
(6) Weight and balance computations;
(7) Use of performance charts;
(8) Significance and effects of exceeding aircraft performance limitations;
(9) Use of aeronautical charts and a magnetic compass for pilotage and dead reckoning;
(10) Use of air navigation facilities;
(11) Aeronautical decision making and judgment;
(12) Principles and functions of aircraft systems;
(13) Maneuvers, procedures, and emergency operations appropriate to the aircraft;
(14) Night and high-altitude operations;
(15) Procedures for operating within the National Airspace System; and
(16) Procedures for flight and ground training for lighter-than-air ratings.
Research Notes
Regulatory Cross-References
§ 61.125 enumerates the knowledge areas required for the commercial pilot knowledge test. The list builds on the private pilot knowledge areas (§ 61.105) and adds advanced topics including emergency equipment and survival gear, night flying, regulations governing commercial operations, and use of performance charts for multiengine aircraft.
Knowledge Test Logistics
The commercial pilot knowledge test (PAR for airplane) is administered at FAA-approved testing centers. Minimum passing score is 70%. A logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor is required before testing per § 61.35(a)(1). The test authorization is valid for 24 calendar months per § 61.39(a)(5).
Key Authorities
- AC 61-65J — required endorsement language for knowledge test
- FAA Commercial Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-7B) — knowledge task table of contents
- FAA Airman Testing Standards (ATS) for Commercial Pilot Knowledge Test
- FAA-H-8083-25B Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge — primary reference for commercial knowledge topics
Subject Areas Unique to Commercial Level
§ 61.125(b)(3) adds meteorology requirements beyond private: hazardous weather types including icing, structural icing, and mountain wave. § 61.125(b)(7) adds the use of aeronautical charts and applicable regulations for commercial operations specifically.
Amendment History
Amendment History Coming Soon
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AOA Notes
These notes correspond to the highlighted phrases in the regulation text above. Each one flags something worth knowing — a common misread, a checkride gotcha, or a practical pro tip.
CFI Commentary
Highlighted phrases in the regulation text above link to instructor notes at the bottom of this page. Look for the amber or blue highlights — each one flags a gotcha or a pro tip worth knowing.