COMMERCIAL PILOTS LICENCE (CPL)
To charge a fee for flight services you must hold a valid Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL).
Just like our other courses the RBFT CPL course goes beyond CASA’s minimum requirements and includes ratings and endorsements we feel are essential for competency as a commercial pilot.
To fly commercial airliners you must also attain an Air Transport Pilot License (ATPL), however there are many career options in aviation besides airline pilot. RBFT does not currently offer ATPL courses however we can facilitate this level of training.
To attain a CPL you need at least 150 hours of flying experience with a minimum of 70 hours as Pilot in Command (solo), at least 20 hours of cross country flight (nav) and at least 10 hours of instrument flying.
Like all pilot training the CPL course is done in stages and can be done on a full time or part time basis; each stage builds on the one before. First and foremost you need to attain a GFPT and PPL - These courses are described in detail earlier in this booklet.
Once you have your PPL RBFT requires CPL students to attain a Night Rating. The extra advantage of doing the Night Rating (NVFR), beside the acquisition of a valuable skill, is it helps you build up the minimum required flying hours, particularly in instrument flying, needed to attain your CPL.
At this point you also have the option of doing a Multi Engine (ME) Endorsement. While this is not compulsory it is recommended, as it helps you build your hours and gives you valuable experience with different aircraft.
During the course it is your responsibility to build up your PIC hours towards the 70 hours required by CASA. The CPL course is structured to give you ample opportunities to fly hours towards this goal.
Once you have attained you GFPT, PPL, NVFR and ME Rating you can move on to the final phase of CPL training.
CPL students need to complete an Aviation Theory Course – Commercial Pilots License - as well as Meteorology and Navigation Theory (Commercial). There are seven (7) CPL theory subjects all together. These can be studied in a variety of ways including through TAFE NSW, by self-directed study or with private tutors. RBFT hopes to run a CPL theory ground school in 2008.
CPL training focuses on scenario based navigation exercises. During your PPL training you learned how to navigate: During CPL training you learn how to apply those skills to tasks a commercial pilot may undertake in an operational environment. All RBFT Flight Instructors have operational experience in the industry. During training you will be exposed to a wide variety of commercial situations, helping you gain the experience and skills necessary to make your transition to commercial flying as smooth as possible.
This 150-hour minimum is based on an Integrated CPL course. Should the student choose not to do an integrated commercial course a minimum of 200 hours flight time is required to attain a CPL.
Some of the exercises you may encounter include simulated charter flights, aerial photography runs and freight flying. Commercial considerations like managing passengers, dealing with emergencies in a calm and professional manner and working in a commercial environment are also covered.
Not only will this improve your operational skills but you will also have the opportunity to develop the right attitude to flying, which should help you gain employment in the industry and make you a safer pilot.
Becoming a professional pilot takes time and money. Spend both wisely and the sky’s the limit.
Once you have completed the RBFT CPL course you will have the following qualifications:
- Australian CPL(a)
- SE–NVFR Rating
- 30hrs M/E PIC Experience
- Aerobatics Endorsement & Advanced Handling Techniques with Loops, Aileron Rolls, Wingovers, Spinning.
CPL HOURS BREAKDOWN
COURSE COSTS
|
