Commercial Pilot Licence

To obtain your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with Flight One, follow these steps:

1. Meet Eligibility Requirements: Ensure you are at least 18 years old and proficient in English.
2. Obtain a Medical Certificate: Secure a Class 1 medical certificate by undergoing a medical examination with a designated aviation medical examiner.
3. Enroll in Flight Training: Join Flight One’s CPL program, which offers both integrated and non-integrated training options.
4. Complete Theoretical Knowledge Training: Study subjects such as flight rules, aerodynamics, meteorology, and navigation through Flight One’s ground school.
5. Pass CPL Theory Exams: Successfully complete the required CPL theory examinations.
6. Accumulate Flight Experience: Log the necessary flight hours, including solo and cross-country flights, as specified by Flight One’s curriculum.
7. Pass the CPL Flight Test: Demonstrate your flying proficiency by passing the CPL flight test conducted by an approved testing officer.
8. Apply for Your CPL: Submit your application to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to receive your Commercial Pilot Licence.

By following these steps with Flight One, you’ll be well-prepared to achieve your CPL and pursue a professional career in aviation.

General Entry Criteria

To receive approval to enrol in this qualification, applicants must:

• be at least 18 years old at the planned commencement date; and
• have completed Australian senior high school or equivalent; or
• successfully pass the prescribed Language, Literacy and Numeracy test; and
• have a native or advanced level of English.

Flight School Entry Criteria

To receive approval to undertake flight training, applicants must also:

• successfully pass the Symbiotic ADAPT pilot aptitude test; and
• successfully pass a discussion style interview with the Head of School.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Criteria

To receive approval to undertake flight training for this course, applicants must:

• be eligible to obtain an Aviation Reference Number (ARN) from CASA; and

Note: An ARN is a simple process that involves corresponding with CASA and obtaining a unique CASA identifier. Please refer to the Aviation Reference Number (ARN) section on CASA’s website for instructions.

• be eligible to obtain a CASA Class 1 Aviation Medical Certificate; and

Note: You are expected to present a valid Class 1 medical certificate at commencement of your course unless authorised in writing by the RTO; we reserve the right to delay commencement if you are not able to present certification at commencement. This medical certification suitable to your level of training must remain valid for the duration of the course and is the responsibility of the student to maintain. 

Details and further information are available from CASA – https://www.casa.gov.au/licences-and-certificates/aviation-medicals/medical-certificates.

• be eligible to obtain an Australian Aviation Security Identity Card (ASIC); and

Note: Obtaining an ASIC requires police clearance by way of a background criminal check that can include:

• • National police check
  • Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission criminal assessment
  • Australian Security Intelligence Organisation national security assessment
  • Department of Home Affairs Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system check

If you have significant criminal history, you may not be eligible to hold an ASIC.

ASIC applications require support for operational needs. This is provided to you by us after your successful enrolment along with instructions for lodging an ASIC application.

• have sufficient English language ability to pass the CASA Aviation English Language Proficiency (AELP) assessment; and

Note: CASA has requirements for the minimum standards of English language. Trainees will undergo testing to gain CASA certification (at a minimum of level 4) of their aviation English standard during the early stages of the course.

• Have aeronautical knowledge and experience evidenced by CASA documentation and/or licencing for the proposed training stage, if relevant.

Course Details

Introduction

Training is conducted at Archerfield Airport in Brisbane and Gold Coast Airport at the Gold Coast, by experienced aviation instructors utilising authentic training equipment and well maintained aircraft.

As has been the case for over 40 years, Flight One’s ethos revolves around diligent attention to aviation industry safety and quality standards. Our courses are customer service oriented and our syllabus provides an authentic airline-centric training experience. To achieve the level of proficiency expected of our graduates, pilot trainees are expected to maintain attendance and course progress befitting a professional pilot.

As part of a broader aviation group that includes VIP and business chartering, airport FBO services and CASA approved aircraft maintenance and repair operations, we are able to offer a genuinely industry driven, innovative programmes with integrated theory and practical training to ensure that you are job ready upon graduation. Please visit About Us to learn more about our flight school and the broader Tisdall Aviation Group.

About Commercial Piloting

Commercial pilots carry out the safety critical activity of flight for reward in support of a wide range of clients. The vast array of activities undertaken include charter, aeromedical, passenger transport, photography and survey work.

Commercial pilots learn to utilise sophisticated electrical components of aircraft such as on board computers, radio and GPS / GNSS equipment.

The demand for qualified Pilots is an international trend, and the Commercial Pilot is well placed to pursue career paths in general aviation, regular passenger (airline) transport and specialised operational roles.

Outcomes

Our CPL programme is designed around the concept of licence readiness – providing each graduate with the CASA theory and associated examinations necessary to achieve a licence outcome.

The course includes formal theory training aligned to the knowledge requirements within the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations, and assessments that are delivered under Flight One’s CASA Part 141 Flight Training Organisation Approval Certificate. When combined with our extensive practical training, this structure empowers our graduates and prepares them to seize career opportunities as they arise.

To be eligible to apply for a CASA Pilot Licence, graduates must also meet CASA’s stipulated requirements including exams and flight tests conducted by CASA appointed testing officers.

The expected outcomes of this course, subject to demonstrated competencies and other CASA requirements, are:

• Private Pilot Licence
• Commercial Pilot Licence

Training & Assessment Arrangements

Training is conducted online and at Archerfield Airport in Brisbane, Australia, via face to face classroom training by experienced flight instructors utilising an extensive training fleet and simulators.

Assessments for this programme are conducted and invigilated in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Assessments may include, but are not limited to, multiple choice, short answer, short essays, group work under observation and practical aviation assessments (flight tests).

Delivery Mode

To achieve a higher level of flexibility for our trainees, this course is mixed mode and is delivered through a combination of:

• self-guided study of the theoretical principles that underpin aeroplane flight and the Commercial Pilot Licence using online training resources
• instructor-lead briefings one-on-one, or in small groups, to reinforce, check and approve theory knowledge
• self guided and instructor-lead flight planning
• instructor-lead flying lessons to achieve practical competencies
• flight tests and theory exams carried out by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Flight lessons will be scheduled at a sufficient pace to remain within the study periods and must be attended once booked. Fast tracking is permitted but must be approved by the Chief Flight Instructor and the Head of School and are dependent upon trainee aptitude and progress as well as availability of resources and instructors.

Students undertaking this course are expected to wear the college uniform provided.

Syllabus Overview

The Commercial Pilot Licence course syllabus is made up of 9 phases, each covering specific piloting skills and theoretical principles. The first three phases, RPL1, 2 and 3 cover the Recreational Pilot Licence and the fourth phase, PPL1 finalises the Private Pilot licence.

A PPL exam and flight test will be administered so trainees are eligible to gain their Australian Private Pilot Licence. The following five phases, CPL1 – 5, step through the advanced training required for the Commercial Pilot Licence. The following five phases, CPL1 – 5, step through the advanced training required for the Australian Commercial Pilot Licence.

1. RPL1 – Recreational Pilot Licence Phase 1
2. RPL2 – Recreational Pilot Licence Phase 2
3. RPL3 – Recreational Pilot Licence Phase 3
4. PPL1 – Private Pilot Licence Phase 1
5. CPL1 – Commercial Pilot Licence Phase 1
6. CPL2 – Commercial Pilot Licence Phase 2
7. CPL3 – Commercial Pilot Licence Phase 3
8. CPL4 – Commercial Pilot Licence Phase 4
9. CPL5 – Commercial Pilot Licence Phase 5

There are seven key theory subjects within the CPL, each with a corresponding exam administered and regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The theory subjects covered in the course, and their CASA exam codes are:

• CPL Human Factors (CHUF)
• CPL Aircraft General Knowledge (CSYA)
• CPL Aeroplane Aerodynamics (CADA)
• CPL Meteorology (CMET)
• CPL Navigation (CNAV)
• CPL Operation, Performance and Flight Planning (CFPA)
• CPL Flight Rules & Air Law (CLWA)

Each phase commences the knowledge building for a set of competencies and at the conclusion of the course, successfully gaining the CPL confirms the practical competencies.

Please see the latest rates and charges guide here →