As a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) holder, you will be legally able to act as a pilot for hire. The opportunities for the commercial pilot are effectively endless upon completion of the CPL.
Opportunities such as airline pilot, low-level utility, agriculture, firefighting, air ambulance, corporate, skydive, cargo, pipeline patrol, and even a charter are possibilities. Further expansion on this license may be needed for various levels of employment. However, the CPL does provide the opportunity to pick multiple different sectors and have multiple career paths within the journey as a commercial pilot.
Commercial Training consists of 3 components:
A summary of these phases can be found below.
Age: The applicant must be a minimum of 18 years of age prior to commencing flight training towards the Commercial Pilot license – Aeroplane.
Medical Fitness: Category 1 medical, obtained from an aviation medical examiner, including an ECG for the completion of the CPL.
License: Students are required to hold a valid Canadian PPL.
Civil Aviation Medical Examiners (CAME) Search: https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CAME-MEAC/s.aspx?lang=eng&l=124
Can be done in the classroom, online or a combination. The Transport Canada Study and Reference Guide for Written Examinations for the Commercial Pilot License – Aeroplane – TP 12881E can be found at: https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/migrated/tp_12881e.pdf
• Canadian Aviation Regulations
• Aerodynamics and Theory of Flight
• Meteorology
• Airframes, Engines, and Systems
• Flight Instruments
• Radio and Electronic Theory
• Navigation
• Flight Operations
• Licensing Requirements
• Human Factors, including pilot decision-making.
• Flying Beyond Ground Up textbook
• Commercial Pilot Exam Prep – Sharper Edge
• Canadian Aviation Weather
• Human Factors Advanced
• Pilot Training Record
• Pilot Operating Handbook (POH)
• GLA bag and swag
To be eligible to write the examination required for the issue of your license, you will need to produce a letter of recommendation from the Flight Training Unit or from the flight instructor who is responsible for the training of the applicant, stating that the applicant has completed the ground school instruction with a minimum of 80 hours of Ground School, and has reached a sufficient level of knowledge to write the examination.
To be eligible to write the examination required for the issue of your license, you will need to produce a letter of recommendation from the Flight Training Unit, stating that the applicant has completed the ground school instruction with a minimum of 80 hours of Ground School, and has reached a sufficient level of knowledge to write the examination. You will also need to provide proof of your class 1 medical.
Obtain a minimum of 70% in each of the following four mandatory subject areas as well as in the overall written examination Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane (CPAER):
• Air Law – regulations, rules and orders, air traffic services, practices and procedures, and licensing requirements relevant to the permit
• Navigation – navigation, radio aids, and electronic theory
• Meteorology
• Aeronautics – General Knowledge – airframes, engines and systems, theory of flight, flight instruments, flight operations and human factors
We have included extra courses in our program to meet and exceed Transport Canada minimum requirements. https://hangaaargroundschool.com/hq/
• Hangaaar Membership to online forums & extras with over 200+ videos on: Controlled VFR, Transponder Use, Terminal Area, Emergency Communication, VFR Flight Following, Special VFR Rules, Mandatory Frequency Areas, NOTAMS, Maneuvering Speed, VFR Over-the-Top, Aviation Communication Enroute, Stabilized Approaches, Position Reports, VFR & IFR Cruising Altitudes, Flying in the USA, Diverting to Alternate, Visual Illusions, Managing Risk and VFR Flight Following.
• General Lee Aviation (welcome) & Cherokee type exam
• CPL Online Course
• Aviation Communications
• Crew resource management.
• Garmin 430W Basic & Advanced Operations
• Aviation Weather Reports & Forecasts
• How to pass your CPL written & flight test
A minimum of 200 hours flight time in aeroplanes
• Of which of 100 hours shall be pilot-in-command time including 20 hours cross-country pilot-in-command flight time.
• Following the issuance of a private pilot license – aeroplane by Canada or another contracting state, have completed 65 hours of commercial flight training in aeroplanes consisting of a minimum of:
• 35 hours dual instruction flight time, under the direction and supervision of the holder a Flight Instructor Rating – Aeroplane, including:
• 5 hours night, including a minimum of 2 hours of cross-country flight time
• 5 hours cross-country, which may include the night dual cross-country flight time
• An additional 20 hours of instrument flight time. A maximum of 10 hours of the 20 hours may be conducted on an approved aeroplane simulator or synthetic training device.
• 30 hours solo flight time including:
• 25 hours solo flight time emphasizing the improvement of general flying skills of the applicant which shall include a cross-country flight to a point of a minimum of 300 nautical mile radius from the point of departure and shall include a minimum of 3 landings at points other than that of departure.
• 5 hours of solo flight time by night with a minimum of 10 takeoffs, circuits, and landings completed.
In advance of each training flight, normally on a one-to-one basis, but not excluding group instruction, covering the steps necessary to complete the next air exercises and what will be learned in the training flight, referred to as Preparatory Ground Instruction (PGI). These sessions typically last between 15-20 minutes of classroom instruction.
The pre-flight briefing occurs prior to dispatch to review weather, aircraft documents, daily inspection, flight planning and of the proposed flight. The post-flight debriefing is after securing the aircraft and returning to GLA dispatch debriefing the good elements of the flight, the areas for improvement, and how to improve them with the planned activity for the next flight with direction for student preparation. These briefings typically last 15-20 minutes.
All flight experience counts towards your 200 hours total flight time required for CPL.
Most students finish their PPL between 45-65 hours. Our CPL syllabus requires an additional 65 hours. This leaves around 70-90 hours of flight time required to meet the 200-hour total time for CPL licensing requirements, which we call time building.
Students are encouraged to use this time to practice what they learnt in the PPL/CPL and learn new skills such as an instrument rating, tail wheel endorsement, float rating or multi-engine rating, we can build it into this training phase.
By completing these extra ratings at this point in your training you will save yourself money in the long run and keep your mind in an active learning state.
There are approximately 30 flying lessons for the minimum 65-hours of Post PPL training. All flight times are estimates provided as an outlook for the training program to achieve the required standard prior to advancing to subsequent lessons.
It is the expectation of every student that the required reading listed for each lesson be completed prior so more instruction time will be spent in the air, rather than on the ground. Debriefing will occur during the exercise and a post briefing to provide the student with the opportunity to discuss and obtain clarification on any points involved in the lesson.
Unforeseen circumstances such as weather and mechanical issues may postpone some flights. Progress checks will be completed as the student completes a series of lessons. The results of the progress check will be provided to the student, as well as a copy placed in their training file.
Within 12 months preceding the date of application for the licence, an applicant for a commercial pilot licence – aeroplane shall successfully complete a flight test as pilot-in-command of an aeroplane in accordance with Schedule 4 “Flight Test for the Issuance of a Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane” of Standard 428 – Conduct of Flight Tests
https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2021-01/TP_13462E_SIXTH_EDITION_2021.pdf
• For admission to a flight test meet the requirements of CAR Standard 421.14
• Provide photo identification with signature, valid flight crew permit, license, or foreign pilot license issued by a contracting state.
• Proof of meeting the medical standards for the Commercial Pilot Licence.
• Letter signed by the holder of a valid Flight Instructor Rating – Aeroplane and dated within the 30 days prior to the completion of the flight test certifying that: (i) training for all of the exercises in the Flight Training Manual and the Flight Instructor Guide from Ex. 1 thru to Ex. 25 and Exercises 29 and 30 have been completed; (ii) a pre-test evaluation of all required flight test exercises was completed with the candidate; (iii) the candidate is considered to have reached a sufficient level of competency to complete the flight test for the issuance of the Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane; and (iv) the instructor recommends the candidate for the flight test.
• Evidence of having completed no less than 75% of the total flying experience required for application for a Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane
• Proof of having successfully completed the required written examination and a letter from a qualified instructor certifying that a review of subject area(s) identified as having deficiencies by the Written Examination and Feedback Report has been carried out and the candidate meets the knowledge standards for the Commercial Pilot Licence.
There are approximately 30 flying lessons for the minimum 65-hours of Post PPL training. All flight times are estimates provided as an outlook for the training program to achieve the required standard prior to advancing to subsequent lessons.
A typical student flying 3 times a week can expect to complete their CPL Training in approximately 10 weeks or roughly 3 months.
It is the expectation of every student that the required reading list for each lesson be completed prior so more instruction time will be spent in the air, rather than on the ground. Debriefing will occur during the exercise and a post briefing to provide the student with the opportunity to discuss and obtain clarification on any points involved in the lesson.
Unforeseen circumstances such as weather and mechanical issues may postpone some flights. Progress checks will be completed as the student completes a series of lessons. The results of the progress check will be provided to the student, as well as a copy placed in their training file.
The aptitude & ability of the student determines the number of hours it will take to complete the course. The more focused & diligent the student applies themself, the less time it will take. Staying on top of the ground school and reading the required lesson materials before each flight and using the simulator as much as possible will aide in learning efficiently.
**Please Note: Those wishing to receive a T2202 (Tuition Tax Receipt) are required to attend 10 hours per week minimum towards the program which can be a combination of ground school and flight training**
The following cost estimate is based on Transport Canada minimum requirements to be permitted to attempt the flight test, and any additional training required to meet the standards will be billed at the applicable rate.
• 30 Hours Solo Flight Training Time at $230/hour: $6,900
• 35 Hours of Dual Flight Training at $300/hour: $10,500
• 32 Hours Ground Briefing at $70/hour: $2,240
• 80 Hours Ground School: $300
Total ($CAD): $19,940
Additional flight time required for time building to meet the 200 hours minimum:
• 90 Hours Rental at $230/hour – Time Building: $20,700
• PPL completed at the Transport Canada minimum of 45 hours: $15,790
• Going from 0-200 to get PPL, CPL, and the time building to 200 hours: $56,430
Variable to consider time building on multi-engine, tail dragger, float plane will all have higher hourly rates. Becoming a Commercial Pilot is a career plan with similar costs to a 4-year University Degree.
Transport Canada medical exam $200, Flight Test $450, licensing $55, and written exam $155 – estimated –
Additional ground briefing if required is $70/hour.
Hourly rate includes fuel and $5 million liability insurance. Fuel price is subject to change.
Aircraft are instrument-rated rated equipped with Garmin 430w, Dual nav/comm, iPad mini with Foreflight, paper charts/CFS, Cockpit Go-Pro video for flight review, Garmin 696 with XM weather and radio.
(Taxes not included)
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