Getting a commercial pilot licence (CPL)

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:

• flight reviews
• proficiency checks.

To fly in a multi-crew operation, you must also do 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
• operation
• performance and planning
• power plants
• aircraft systems.

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 have a note that it doesn't meet the international standard.

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.

You can do these hours in any aircraft or any category except when conditions apply. If the condition is that you must fly a certain aircraft type, it must be recognised or registered.

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 simulator.
Flight time as a pilot	140	190	Must be in an aeroplane
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	Must be in an aeroplane
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	Can be in a flight simulator
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	Up to 10 hours can be in a flight simulator. Up to 5 of the 10 hours can be tethered flight time
Flight time as a pilot	90	140	Integrated must be in a helicopter. For non-integrated, at least 70 hours must be in a helicopter.
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	10	Can be in a flight simulator
Dual instrument flight time	5	5	Integrated must be in a helicopter

Minimum hours for a gyroplane CPL

Aeronautical experience 150 Up to 10 hours can be in a flight simulator

Experience	Hours for a non-integrated course	Conditions
Flight time as a pilot	75	N/A
Dual flight time	20	N/A
Pilot in command	35	N/A
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 simulator

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.

These include licences, ratings, endorsements, authorisations, approvals, and delegations issued under:

• Part 5 of CAR
• a CAO made under Part 5 of CAR
• CAO 29.6
• CAO 29.10
• CAO 29.11
• CAO 82.6.

You can transition your licences by using the ‘Recognition and Transfer CAR Part 5 Qualifications’ form.