COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENCE CPL(H)

A Commercial pilot licence allows you to work as a Helicopter pilot anywhere in Australia! This licence is for those wishing to pursue a career as a helicopter pilot.

Whether you aspire to become a helicopter pilot for tourism, search and rescue operations, or any other profession, the process involves several essential steps. Below we will walk you through the requirements and steps to help you achieve your dream of becoming a licensed commercial helicopter pilot.

How the training Works

So you have decide you would like to get your Helicopter licence, what comes next?

HV Helicopters has developed a training syllabus to meet the requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is the body governing aviation licensing.

Each lesson will consist of a detailed topic brief (approx 1 hr) by your personal instructor which will cover the theory behind each flight sequence, you will then receive a pre-flight brief on that days flying activities. It is then time to prepare the aircraft and conduct the flight. Flights can range anywhere from 1 hr up to 3 or 4 hrs depending on the flight sequence being conducted. On return you will receive a post flight debrief from your instructor on the days flying and create a plan for the following lesson.

Lessons are scheduled around your availability. It is up to you how often you would like to fly however we recommend a consistent approach is usually the most productive.

During your licence you have the option to complete the required hours on one type of helicopter only or you may choose to conduct a portion of your training (minimum 20 hrs) in a second type of helicopter, you may only have a maximum of two helicopters on your licence once you have completed your training. Many pilots choose to be endorsed on two helicopters as it will give you a good balance of both being cost effective while maximizing your job prospects on completion of your licence.

Eligibility Requirements for a CPL

Before you can start your journey towards a commercial helicopter license, you must meet certain eligibility criteria:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Pass a Class 1 Aviation Medical Examination.
  • Be proficient in English (both spoken and written).
  • Meet any additional requirements set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)

Flight Requirements for A CPL

  • At least 105 hours of flight time as pilot of a helicopter
  • At least 35 hours of flight time as pilot in command of a helicopter
  • At least 10 hours of cross‑country flight time as pilot in command 

*The 105 hour total will be extended to 125 hours total if the last 30 hours are not completed in 90 days

Theory Requirements for A CPL

The theory subjects required for the commercial license are split up in to 7 separate exams:

  • Air Law
  • Aerodynamics
  • Navigation
  • Meteorology
  • Human Factors
  • Performance and planning
  • Aircraft General Knowledge
Information on our Ground school covering all 7 subject can be found HERE

You will also need to complete the in-house

  • Flight Radio Exam.
  • Pre-solo quizzes
  • Aircraft endorsement exams

How much will it cost?

For most students this is one of the biggest factors to consider! Below you can access our current cost estimate for a commercial helicopter licence. 

When comparing costs to obtain your licence it is important to consider all costs involved in the training, not just the hourly rate of the helicopter. many schools may have a cheap hourly rate but then charge for many additional items such as landing fees, briefings etc. As always we are here to help so don’t hesitate to get in contact if you have any additional questions! 

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