Instrument or Commercial First?

After earning a Private Pilot Certificate, one of the most common questions pilots ask is whether to pursue an Instrument Rating or a Commercial Pilot License first. There isn’t a single correct answer—but there is a smarter order for most people, depending on goals, experience, and how you plan to train.

 

Why Instrument First Is the Most Common Path

 

For many pilots, earning the Instrument Rating first simply makes sense. Instrument training sharpens fundamental skills like aircraft control, situational awareness, navigation, and decision-making. You learn to fly with precision, manage workload, and think ahead—skills that carry directly into commercial maneuvers and complex flight scenarios.

 

From a training standpoint, instrument flying also makes time-building more productive. Cross-country flights become more purposeful, weather becomes less of a limiting factor, and overall confidence in the system improves. Many pilots find that commercial training feels smoother after instrument because they already operate at a higher level of discipline.

 

If your goal is to fly professionally—whether that’s airlines, charter, or instruction—instrument training is not optional anyway. Doing it earlier often saves time and frustration later.

 

When Commercial First Might Make Sense

 

There are situations where commercial first can work. Some pilots are focused on building total time quickly, especially if they already fly frequently in good weather and want to start commercial maneuvers sooner. Others may be limited by aircraft availability, simulator access, or financial timing.

 

That said, commercial training without instrument experience can feel disjointed. You may learn maneuvers well, but still lack the broader system knowledge that instrument flying builds. Many pilots who go commercial first still end up circling back and wishing they had done instrument earlier.​

 

Can You Be a Commercial Pilot Without an Instrument Rating?

Yes — under FAA rules, a pilot can earn a Commercial Pilot Certificate (CPL) without holding an Instrument Rating. However, that certificate comes with important restrictions that significantly limit how you can operate.

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A Commercial Pilot without an Instrument Rating is restricted to day VFR operations only. That means no flying at night for hire, or in excess of 50 NM miles, and of course, no operating under IFR or in instrument meteorological conditions. In practical terms, this immediately narrows the types of jobs you can legally perform.

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You’re also limited operationally. Weather becomes a hard stop much earlier, cross-country flexibility is reduced, and many employers simply won’t consider commercial pilots who are not instrument rated. Even jobs that are technically VFR-only often expect instrument proficiency because of real-world weather, airspace complexity, and insurance requirements.

Because of these restrictions, a non-instrument commercial certificate is often viewed as incomplete rather than wrong. It may satisfy the regulatory minimums, but it rarely aligns with how commercial flying actually works.

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This is why many pilots pursue the Instrument Rating either before or immediately after earning their Commercial Certificate. The Instrument Rating removes those limitations, expands job eligibility, and brings the certificate in line with industry expectations.

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In short, you can be a CPL without an IR — but most pilots don’t stay that way for long.

 

Training Efficiency and Cost Considerations

From an efficiency standpoint, instrument first often reduces overall training friction. You tend to fly more consistently, waste fewer lessons due to weather, and develop habits that make later training easier.

Cost-wise, neither path is inherently cheaper on paper—but instrument-first pilots often finish commercial training with fewer setbacks because they already fly with structure and precision. Over time, that can matter.

 

The Big Picture

If you’re flying purely for recreation, the order matters less. If you’re building toward a career, instrument first is usually the smarter, cleaner progression. It builds a foundation that commercial training expects you to already have.

 

That doesn’t mean commercial-first is wrong—it just means it’s more situational.

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If you’re unsure which order fits your situation, training environment, or long-term goals, Avionary Flight can help you map out a plan that makes sense before you commit time and money in the wrong direction.

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Sometimes choosing the right order is the difference between smooth progress and unnecessary frustration.