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AviaSkill
Commercial Pilot Knowledge Test

Prepare for the FAA Commercial Pilot Written Exam

AI-powered study tools, adaptive practice modes, and full-length exam simulations — all aligned to the FAA Airman Certification Standards. Build on your PPL and IFR foundation to earn your Commercial Pilot Certificate.

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10
ACS Areas Covered
100
Questions Per Exam
150 min
Exam Time Limit
70%
Passing Score

What is the FAA Commercial Pilot Knowledge Test?

The Commercial Pilot Knowledge Test is the written exam required to earn your Commercial Pilot Certificate — the license that allows you to get paid to fly. Whether you're pursuing a career at an airline, charter service, or flight school, the CPL is a required step.

The Commercial Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-7B) defines 11 Areas of Operation, and AviaSkill organizes its CPL bank by nine of them (the two it leaves out are noted below), building on what you learned for PPL and IFR. You'll have 150 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions, and you need a score of 70% or higher to pass.

The CPL written exam goes deeper into performance calculations, commercial regulations, advanced aerodynamics, and high-altitude operations. With 100 questions (vs. 60 for PPL and IFR), it's a more comprehensive exam — but if you've passed PPL and IFR, you already have a strong foundation.

The 9 ACS Areas in the CPL Bank

Commercial Pilot questions organized by ACS Area of Operation, numbered as the app numbers them.

I

Preflight Preparation

Pilot qualifications, airworthiness, weather, cross-country planning, airspace, performance, systems, human factors

II

Preflight Procedures

Preflight assessment, flight deck management, engine starting, taxiing, before-takeoff check

III

Airport and Seaplane Base Operations

Communications, light signals, runway lighting systems, traffic patterns

IV

Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds

Normal, crosswind, short-field and soft-field operations, power-off 180° accuracy approach and landing

V

Performance Maneuvers and Ground Reference Maneuvers

Steep turns, steep spiral, chandelles, lazy eights, eights on pylons — precision flying at the commercial standard

VI

Navigation

Pilotage and dead reckoning, navigation systems and radar services, diversion, lost procedures

VII

Slow Flight and Stalls

Maneuvering during slow flight, power-off, power-on and accelerated stalls, spin awareness

VIII

High-Altitude Operations

Supplemental oxygen and pressurization

IX

Emergency Operations

Emergency descent, emergency approach and landing, systems and equipment malfunctions, emergency equipment and survival gear

XI

Postflight Procedures

After landing, parking and securing; seaplane post-landing procedures

FAA-S-ACS-7B defines 11 Areas of Operation. Not listed above:

  • X. Multiengine Operations — Every task in this area is limited to the multiengine class ratings (AMEL, AMES), so it is not on the single-engine Commercial Pilot test.
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How AviaSkill Helps You Pass

Six powerful study tools working together to get you exam-ready.

What is density altitude andwhy does it affect performance?AI · PLAIN LANGUAGEThink of it as the altitude your plane“feels.” Hot, humid, or high = thinnerair = less lift and thrust.

AI Explanations

Get detailed, plain-language explanations for every CPL question — with direct links to the relevant FAA handbook chapters

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Today's adaptive planAerodynamics78%Weather42%Navigation91%

Smart Study

Six study modes adapt to your CPL progress — focus on weak areas, review missed questions, or let AI optimize your session

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What is Class B airspace, like I'm five?Imagine a big upside-down wedding cakearound the busiest airports. Only pilotswith a clearance can fly inside — it keepstraffic safe near places like JFK or LAX.Do I need a radio to enter?

AI Tutor

Stuck on performance calculations or commercial regulations? Ask our AI tutor anything — available 24/7

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Backed by FAA Handbooks

Backed by FAA Handbooks

Every CPL question is mapped to the exact FAA handbook section you need — from PHAK to the Commercial ACS

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Exam ReadinessExam in 6 daysYou're on track —keep it up!60%Topics mastered 6 / 100100

Progress & Readiness

Track your mastery across all 10 ACS areas in the CPL bank — know exactly when you're ready to schedule your test

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Question 2441:22Minimum VFR visibility in Class G airspacebelow 1,200 ft AGL (day)?A3 statute milesB1 statute mileC5 statute miles

Exam Simulator

Take full-length 100-question practice exams with a 150-minute timer — same format as the real FAA test

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Know What to Expect on Test Day

Official NameCommercial Pilot — Airplane (CAX) Knowledge Test
Test CodeCAX
Questions100 multiple-choice (select one from three options)
Time Limit150 minutes (2.5 hours)
Passing Score70% (70 correct out of 100)
PrerequisitesAn instructor endorsement and a photo ID (14 CFR 61.35) — no certificate is required to sit the test
Minimum Age16 for the knowledge test (FAA testing matrix); 18 for the certificate (14 CFR 61.123)
Test Validity24 calendar months (2 years)
CFR Reference14 CFR 61.123–61.133

The knowledge test is administered at FAA-authorized testing centers (PSI) nationwide. You'll need an instructor endorsement to schedule your test. Many students schedule their exam after completing ground school and achieving consistent passing scores on practice exams.

Your Path to the Commercial Pilot Certificate

1

Earn Your Private Pilot Certificate

Complete the PPL knowledge test and checkride. This is your foundation for all advanced certificates.

2

Add Your Instrument Rating

Pass the IFR knowledge test and checkride. Without it, your commercial certificate is limited: no passengers for hire on cross-country flights over 50 NM or at night (14 CFR 61.133).

3

Build Flight Time

Log at least 250 hours total flight time, including 100 hours PIC and 50 hours cross-country (14 CFR 61.129).

4

Complete Commercial Training

20 hours of training in commercial maneuvers — chandelles, lazy eights, steep spirals, power-off 180° accuracy approaches.

5

Pass the Knowledge Test

Take the FAA Commercial Pilot Knowledge Test at a testing center. 100 questions, 150 minutes, 70% to pass. AviaSkill prepares you for exactly this.

AviaSkill Helps Here
6

Pass the Practical Test (Checkride)

Demonstrate commercial-level flying skills and oral knowledge to an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE).

Start Preparing for Step 5

Continue Your Aviation Journey

Your Commercial Pilot Certificate opens the door to professional aviation.

Flight Instructor (CFI)

Teach others to fly. Build hours toward your airline career while earning income.

Coming soon

CFII (Instrument Instructor)

Teach instrument flying. Requires CFI certificate plus additional instrument training.

Coming soon

ATP & Beyond

Airline Transport Pilot — the highest level of pilot certification. Required for airline operations.

Coming soon

Tools pilots actually use

Crosswind, METAR, weight & balance — always free, no sign-up needed.

Crosswind Calculator

Calculate crosswind & headwind components for any runway

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METAR/TAF Decoder

Decode weather reports into plain English instantly

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Unit Converter

Convert between all aviation units pilots need

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Weight & Balance

Calculate W&B with CG envelope visualization

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Density Altitude

Calculate density altitude & performance impact

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Wind Triangle

Solve true heading, ground speed & wind correction

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Fuel Planner

Plan fuel burn, endurance & required reserves

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Holding Entry

Determine the correct holding-pattern entry

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Time Calculator

Convert local/Zulu time and compute ETAs

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V-Speed Reference

Look up key V-speeds for common trainers

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Takeoff & Landing

Estimate takeoff & landing distances

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Ready to Pass Your Commercial Pilot Written Exam?

Start studying today with AI-powered explanations, adaptive study modes, and realistic exam simulations. Questions organized by ACS area. 7-day free trial — no credit card required.

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