Commercial Pilot Training Materials

Commercial pilot certificate study materials

The commercial pilot certificate lets you fly for compensation or hire, and the path to it runs through a tougher FAA knowledge test and a more demanding practical test than the private certificate. Passing both takes current question banks, a structured ground school, and prep aimed squarely at the oral exam and the Commercial Pilot Airplane ACS. The materials below cover every stage, from first study session to the day you meet the examiner, and Pilot Mall carries the ASA, Gleim, and Jeppesen titles flight schools rely on.

Compare commercial pilot study materials at a glance

Types of commercial pilot study materials

Written knowledge test prep

Test prep books and bundles organize the FAA commercial pilot knowledge areas around current released question banks, with explanations and practice exams so you walk into the testing center ready. The Gleim Knowledge Test Prep and the multi-format ASA Test Prep Bundle are the two most popular choices.

Online ground school

A full online ground school walks you through every commercial knowledge area in sequence and can provide the endorsement you need to sit the FAA written test. Gleim Online Ground School for Commercial is a self-paced option that pairs well with school or instructor training.

Integrated training manuals

Integrated manuals teach the underlying aeronautical knowledge in depth rather than drilling test questions. The Jeppesen Instrument Commercial Pilot Training Manual covers both the instrument and commercial ratings, making it a strong reference for pilots progressing through both certificates.

Oral exam and ACS prep

Checkride prep shifts from the written test to the examiner's table. The ASA Commercial Pilot Oral Exam Guide rehearses the questions a designated pilot examiner is likely to ask, while the Commercial Pilot Airplane ACS spells out the exact standards your performance is graded against.

Testing center supplements

The ASA Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement is the figures, legends, and charts booklet you are handed at the testing center, so studying with the same edition removes surprises on test day.

Commercial study material brands

• ASA: Test Prep bundles, Oral Exam Guides, and the Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement, widely used across U.S. flight schools.
• Gleim: methodical knowledge test prep and a complete online ground school with the written-test endorsement.
• Jeppesen: in-depth integrated training manuals that build the aeronautical knowledge behind the test.

How to choose the right commercial pilot study materials

Start with where you are in training. If you are early and want full coverage, begin with an online ground school or an integrated manual, then layer a knowledge test prep book on top to drill the released FAA questions before you schedule the written. Picking between brands usually comes down to study style: many pilots prefer the methodical, topic-by-topic Gleim approach, while others like the multi-format ASA bundle with its book, download, and online practice tests. Once the written is behind you, switch to checkride prep with the Oral Exam Guide and study directly from the Commercial Pilot Airplane ACS so you know the standards your examiner will grade. Continuing toward an airline career? See the Professional Pilot Training Materials collection, and browse the full Flight Training and Ground School Materials hub for every rating.

Why buy from Pilot Mall

• Aviation only: we sell pilot gear and training materials and nothing else, so our team knows the certificates and the standards behind them.
• Trusted for 25-plus years: thousands of student and professional pilots rely on Pilot Mall for study materials.
• Current editions: we carry up-to-date ASA, Gleim, and Jeppesen titles built around the latest FAA question banks and standards.
• Free U.S. shipping over $100: stock up on a full study kit and qualify.
• Expert guidance: talk to people who fly before you buy. Click any product for current pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What study materials do I need to pass the commercial pilot knowledge test?

You need a commercial pilot test prep book or bundle built on current FAA question banks, such as the Gleim or ASA test prep, plus the Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement you will use at the testing center. Many pilots add an online ground school for full coverage and the required test endorsement.

What is the passing score on the FAA commercial pilot knowledge test?

The FAA commercial pilot knowledge test requires a minimum passing score of 70 percent. The exam draws from released FAA test items covering aerodynamics, regulations, performance, and operations, which is why studying with a current question bank and test prep guide is the most reliable way to pass on the first try.

How many flight hours do you need for a commercial pilot certificate?

Under Part 61 you generally need at least 250 hours of flight time, including specific cross-country, instrument, and pilot-in-command experience. An approved Part 141 school can certify you with as few as 190 hours. Confirm the exact aeronautical experience requirements with your flight school and an instructor.

Do you need an instrument rating for a commercial pilot certificate?

No, you can earn a commercial pilot certificate without an instrument rating, but you will carry a limitation. Without the instrument rating you may not carry passengers for hire on cross-country flights beyond 50 nautical miles or at night, so most commercial pilots add the instrument rating.

Which is better for commercial test prep, ASA or Gleim?

Both ASA and Gleim are excellent and built on current FAA question banks. Gleim is known for methodical, topic-by-topic coverage and a complete online ground school, while ASA offers a multi-format bundle with book, download, and online practice tests. The better choice depends on your preferred study style.

What is on the commercial pilot checkride oral exam?

The oral exam covers the knowledge areas in the Commercial Pilot Airplane ACS, including regulations and privileges, aircraft systems and performance, weather, cross-country planning, and commercial maneuvers. A designated pilot examiner asks scenario-based questions before the flight test, so an oral exam guide and the ACS are the core prep tools.