For Pilots
A Professional Credential for Working Contract Pilots
Contract pilots are often hired quickly, evaluated briefly, and expected to operate with minimal supervision. In those environments, professionalism, judgment, and predictability matter as much as flight experience.
The Certified Contract Pilot (CCP) credential exists to help experienced contract pilots stand out for the right reasons—without overselling, exaggeration, or guarantees.
CCP is not about learning how to fly airplanes. It is about how you operate as a contract pilot.
Why CCP Exists
Unlike pilots employed within a flight department, contract pilots are often evaluated by:
- Schedulers under time pressure
- Chief pilots with limited familiarity
- Owners looking for reassurance
- Management companies balancing risk and availability
CCP was developed to provide a neutral, third-party professional signal that complements your experience and training and makes you easier to evaluate in competitive situations.
What CCP Does for You
CCP is designed to help by:
- Reducing friction when you are unfamiliar to a client or management company
- Providing a recognized reference point beyond logbooks and resumes
- Supporting confidence when decision-makers must choose quickly
- Reinforcing professionalism that leads to repeat work
CCP does not promise jobs or increased income. It helps remove reasons not to hire you.
What the Program Covers
The CCP curriculum focuses on real-world contract pilot responsibilities, including:
- Contract pilot operational realities
- Legal and regulatory awareness specific to Part 91 contract flying
- Professional conduct and discretion
- Business practices, rates, and duty definitions
- Training, experience, and insurance expectations
Emphasis is placed on judgment, consistency, and professional behavior—the areas most visible to those who hire contract pilots.
Who Should Consider CCP
- Independent contract pilots
- Corporate pilots transitioning to contract work
- Retired airline or military pilots entering Part 91 contract operations
- Pilots flying through aircraft management companies
- Pilots who expect to continue flying contract work over time
CCP is intended for pilots who view contract flying as a professional practice, not a temporary side activity.
CCP at a Glance
- Format: Self-paced, scenario-based
- Assessment: Final knowledge & judgment evaluation
- Standard: 80% passing score
- Issuer: Contract Pilot Association
- Scope: Professional conduct, regulatory awareness, business discipline
Pricing & Access
The Certified Contract Pilot (CCP) program is intentionally priced to be accessible to working contract pilots while maintaining a professional certification standard.
CCP Certification Fee
- CPA Member Rate: $199
- Standard Rate: $299
The certification fee includes program access, final assessment, and credential issuance upon successful completion.
For most contract pilots, the cost of CCP is less than a single day of flying. The program is designed to support long-term professional practice rather than short-term training.
Recertification
To ensure the credential remains current and meaningful, CCP certification is subject to periodic renewal.
• Interval: Every 3 years
• Fee:
- CPA Member: $99
- Standard Rate: $149
Recertification emphasizes continued professional relevance rather than repetition of initial coursework.
Membership Consideration
CPA membership is not required to pursue CCP.
Membership provides reduced certification fees and access to additional professional resources relevant to contract pilots.
Bottom Line for Pilots
- CCP is not a shortcut.
- It is a professional signal.
Over time, that signal can help you be evaluated more easily, selected more confidently, and retained more consistently.