How to Become a Commercial Pilot In Arizona: Your Guide to Commercial Pilot Training

How to Become a Commercial Pilot In Arizona: Your Guide to Commercial Pilot Training
May 14, 2025

Are you ready to turn your passion for aviation into a career as a commercial pilot? UND Aerospace is one of the top-rated flight schools in Arizona and a nationally acclaimed leader in collegiate aviation education. Our top-rated commercial pilot training program equips aspiring pilots with the skills, knowledge, and certification needed to excel in the demanding world of professional aviation.

The Pathway to Becoming a Commercial Pilot

Obtaining a commercial pilot license is a significant milestone on the path to a rewarding career in the skies. It opens the door to numerous career opportunities, ranging from flight instruction and corporate aviation to aerial photography and so much more.

To obtain your commercial pilot license, you'll need to meet the following FAA requirements:

  1. Have a Private Pilot License: This foundational license allows you to fly for personal and recreational purposes. Our accelerated private pilot training program at UND Aerospace can help you obtain this certificate in as little as two months.
  2. Obtain an Instrument Rating: This certification enables you to fly safely in instrument meteorological conditions (little to no visibility), using only the instruments in the cockpit. Our Phoenix flight school offers comprehensive instrument rating training as part of our accelerated commercial pilot training in Arizona.
  3. Complete Comprehensive Commercial Pilot Training: Our accelerated commercial pilot program is designed to equip you with the skills necessary for advanced flight maneuvers, cross-country navigation, and effective decision-making. You will gain the expertise to operate aircraft safely as the pilot-in-command in various weather conditions and complex airspace environments.
  4. Log at least 250 Hours of Flight Time: You'll need to accumulate the necessary experience, including 100 hours flying as pilot-in-command, 20 hours flying in specific areas of operation, and at least 50 hours of cross-country flying. Our industry-leading curriculum is structured to help you log these hours and obtain your certification in as little as 12 months.
  5. Pass the FAA Written, Oral, and Practical Exams: You must complete and pass an oral test, a written exam, and a final check ride (practical flight test). At UND Aerospace, we strive to ensure our students are well-prepared to pass these assessments and obtain the necessary certifications.


Why Choose UND Aerospace for Your Commercial Pilot Training Phoenix?

As one of the best flight schools in USA, UND Aerospace has a long-standing reputation for excellence in collegiate flight training. Our Phoenix flight training center, conveniently located within the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, offers many advantages to aspiring commercial pilots:

Accelerated, Fast-Track Curriculum: Go from zero experience to commercial pilot certification in as little as 12 to 15 months. Our rigorous curriculum and passionate instructors ensure our students progress through training swiftly, allowing motivated students to obtain their certification in the shortest time possible. 

State-of-the-Art Facilities: As a top Phoenix flight school, our facilities rival the best aviation colleges in Arizona and beyond. From a well-maintained aircraft fleet, state-of-the-art flight simulators, and a modern ground school, we ensure our students have everything they need to thrive.

Experienced, Motivated Instructors: Learn from a team of seasoned certified flight instructors (CFIs) who are on a mission to train and nurture the next generation of professional pilots. 

In-House Examining Authority: Our Phoenix pilot school has in-house examining authority from the FAA, helping our students save time and money by taking their certificate-granting exams right here on campus. This also ensures flexibility with exam scheduling, eliminating the lengthy wait times that come with relying on an external Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE).

A Proven Track Record of Success: UND Aerospace attracts students from all over the world thanks to our track record for meeting and exceeding industry standards in pilot training and collegiate aviation education. Our graduates are highly sought after in the job market.

Unmatched Safety Standards: At UND Aerospace, safety is a top priority. We’re one of a few flight schools to employ an FAA-approved Safety Management System (SMS), which integrates strict safety practices into our everyday practices. This has resulted in an organization-wide culture of safety promotion and assurance on par with major airlines.

Strategic Location: Our flight school is located in the heart of the Phoenix Valley in Arizona, which means we enjoy over 300 days of sunshine annually, perfect for year-round flight training. This translates to minimal or no interruptions to your flight training timeline. The area is also a booming aviation hub with a growing number of airlines, aircraft maintenance providers, and other aviation-focused organizations, giving our students ample networking and career opportunities.

Unbeatable Value: As a non-profit organization, we offer pilot training at highly competitive rates. This makes obtaining a pilot license through UND Aerospace much more accessible than traditional college aviation programs.


Maximize Your Career Potential with Our Commercial Pilot Training

A commercial pilot license from UND Aerospace opens the door to a wide range of exciting and lucrative career opportunities, including:

  • Flight Instruction: A commercial pilot's licence is a stepping stone to becoming a certified flight instructor. Share your passion for aviation and help train the next generation of pilots. 
  • Corporate Pilot: Fly private aircraft for businesses, transporting executives and high-profile passengers to their destinations.
  • Aerial Photography/Surveying: Capture stunning aerial imagery or assist with mapping and surveying projects from the sky.
  • Firefighting/Emergency Response: Provide critical air support for search and rescue missions, wildfire suppression, and other emergency operations.
  • Crop Dusting/Agricultural Aviation: Perform vital aerial applications for the agricultural industry, spraying crops and monitoring fields.
  • Air Cargo/Charter Flights: Transport freight, packages, and passengers on charter flights for commercial and private customers.
  • Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Prerequisite: Obtaining a commercial pilot licence is one of the main prerequisites for becoming an airline transport pilot.


Whichever career path you choose, a commercial pilot license from UND Aerospace will give you a significant advantage in the job market. As noted earlier, our graduates are highly sought-after by leading global aviation organizations thanks to our industry-leading flight training programs. Our curriculum was developed in partnership with industry leaders, including top airlines, seasoned airline pilots, Boeing, and the FAA, to provide well-rounded flight training.


Enroll at The Best Commercial Flight School Mesa!

If you're ready to actualize your dream of becoming a professional pilot, our Arizona flight school is the perfect place to make your dreams a reality. Our world-class curriculum, modern facilities, and experienced instructors will provide you with the strong foundation you need to become a competent pilot.

Contact us today to learn more about how to become a commercial pilot and how to enroll.