Once you have your CPL, you can:
- go through this process again to add more aircraft category ratings
- add endorsements.
To keep your licence active, you will do:
To conduct a flight that requires 2 pilots, you must also complete approved training in multi-crew cooperation. You don't have to do this if you took part in multi-crew operations before 1 September 2015.
Theory and the exams for commercial pilot licences
Some of the subjects you will learn for a CPL are:
- flight rules and air law
- aerodynamics
- meteorology
- navigation
- human factors
- performance, operations and flight planning
- aircraft general knowledge.
You can study the theory yourself, for example, through a self-learning course. Or you can go to classes with a training provider.
The CPL theory exam tests how well you know the theory of your chosen aircraft rating.
Training for commercial pilot licences
Flight training courses teach general, cross-country and instrument flying.
There are 2 types of courses:
- intensive integrated courses, through Part 142 flight training operators
- non-integrated courses, through Part 141 flight training operators.
Some organisations offer both types of courses. You can search for a Part 141 or Part 142 flight training operator near you.
In an integrated training course, you do ground theory with practical flight training at the same time. It's a structured course that you can do quickly.
If you do non-integrated training, you will do more practical flight training and it will take longer.
Basic instrument flying
You will need to do basic instrument flying if you are:
- applying for an aeroplane licence (CPLA)
- doing an integrated course of training for a helicopter licence (CPLH).
Otherwise, basic instrument flying is optional.
If you get a CPLH through a non-integrated course, your licence will include a note that it doesn't meet the international standards.
You can still do the basic instrument flying later.
Flying experience for a commercial pilot licence
The right amount of flying experience you need to get a CPL depends on the aircraft category rating you're training for.
For non-integrated training, the regulations recognise some flight time in other categories of aircraft to satisfy the total aeronautical experience requirements.
Minimum hours for an aeroplane CPL
| Experience | Hours for an integrated course | Hours for a non-integrated course | Conditions |
|---|
| Aeronautical experience | 150 | 200 | Up to 10 hours can be in a flight simulation training device. |
| Flight time as a pilot | 140 | 190 | - |
| Pilot in command | 70 | 100, 60 if you hold a CPL or ATPL with helicopter rating, 80 if you hold a PPL with helicopter rating | - |
| Pilot in command cross-country | 20 | 20 | Must be in an aeroplane and include a flight of at least 300 NM with a full-stop landing at 2 aerodromes outside the flight training area. |
| Dual instrument time | 10 | 10 | - |
| Dual instrument flight time | 5 | 5 | Must be in an aeroplane. |
Minimum hours for a helicopter CPL
| Experience | Hours for an integrated course | Hours for a non-integrated course | Conditions |
|---|
| Aeronautical experience | 100 | 150 or 105* | Up to 10 hours can be in a flight simulation training device. Up to 5 of the 10 hours can be tethered flight time. * In accordance with Part 61 MOS Schedule 9. |
| Flight time as a pilot | 90 | 140 or 105* | Integrated must be in a helicopter. For non-integrated, at least 70 hours must be in a helicopter. * In accordance with Part 61 MOS Schedule 9. |
| Pilot in command | 35 | 35 | Integrated must be in a helicopter. |
| Pilot in command cross-country | 10 | 10 | Must include a flight of at least 150 NM with landings at 2 areas other than where the flight began. Integrated must be in a helicopter. |
| Dual instrument time | 10 | | Integrated course only. |
| Dual instrument flight time | 5 | | Integrated must be in a helicopter. |
Minimum hours for a gyroplane CPL
| Experience | Hours for a non-integrated course | Conditions |
|---|
| Aeronautical experience | 150 | Up to 10 hours can be in a flight simulator. |
| Flight time as a pilot | 75 | In a gyroplane. |
| Dual flight time | 20 | In a gyroplane. |
| Pilot in command | 35 | In a gyroplane. |
| Pilot in command cross-country | 20 | Must be in a powered aircraft with at least 10 hours in gyroplanes. |
| Dual instrument time | 10 | Can be in a flight simulation training device. |
Regulations for commercial pilot licences
The rules for commercial pilots are in these sections of Part 61 of CASR Flight crew licencing:
- Subpart 61.E - general limitations
- Subpart 61.J - commercial pilot licences
- Regulation 61.570 - privileges of commercial pilot licences
- Regulation 61.575 - limitations on exercising privileges - multi-crew operations
- Regulation 61.580 - requirements for grant of commercial pilot licences - general
- Division 61.I.2 - aeronautical experience requirements (pilots who have completed an integrated training course)
- Division 61.I.3 - aeronautical experience requirements (pilots who have not completed an integrated training course).
Transitioning a CAR 5 licence to a Part 61 licence
You can no longer exercise the privileges of a CAR Part 5 licence. If you hold a CAR 5 licence it will need to be transitioned to the new Part 61 licence to continue to operate.
You can transition your licences by using the 'Recognition and Transfer CAR Part 5 Qualifications' form.
Download a digital pilot licence
You can carry a digital version of your pilot licence. Find out how to download a copy to your mobile.
Reprinting your licence
Contact us if you need a paper reprint of your licence for operational reasons, such as international air operations. The fee for a licence reprint is $25.
