A Commercial Pilot Licence will allow you to work for hire as a commercial pilot, within the constraints established by the Canadian Aviation Regulations.
The training you will receive is structured to meet a Transport Canada syllabus to provide you with all the essential knowledge and skills you will require to earn your Commercial Pilot Licence.
The lesson plans are mandated by Transport Canada. You work with your instructor at your own pace to complete the training requirements. Your training records belong to you and you can change instructors or schools as you work towards your licence.
There are no up-front costs. You pay for the aircraft rentals and the instructor’s time when you use them.
- Transport Canada Requirements for Pilot Permits and Licences
- Outline of Flight Instruction
- Summary of typical costs to obtain a Commercial Pilot Licence
- Copy of Company Standard Safety Precautions
- Copy of Transport Canada CPL Study and Reference Guide
- Copy of Transport Canada CPL Flight Test Standard
- Other Study and Reference Materials as required
If you have any questions regarding any training offered by Flight, feel free to ask any of our staff or instructors. We are pleased to help you.
Licence Requirements
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
The Commercial Pilot Licence is the first Licence level in Canada where you may work for hire, subject to the provisions and limitations of the Canadian Aviation Regulations. A CPL is recognized internationally and trans-border flights are authorized. With additional training, the holder of a CPL may also obtain addition ratings including a multi-engine rating, instrument rating, and aircraft type ratings. Unless specifically prohibited on the licence document, the holder of a CPL may also exercise the privileges of a Night Rating and a VFR Over the Top Rating. At any time, the holder of a Commercial Pilot Licence may exercise all privileges accorded to the holder of a Private Pilot Licence.
Following the issuance of a Private Pilot Licence, the Transport Canada requirements for the issue of a Commercial Pilot Licence are as follows:
Age: Must be at least 18 year of age
Medical: Valid Category 1 Medical Certificate
Knowledge:
- Complete 80 Hour Commercial Pilot Ground Training
- Pass Written Exam (CPAER)
Skill:
- Pass Transport Canada Commercial Pilot Flight Test (CPFT)
- Must Pass CPAER to be eligible to attempt CPFT
Experience:
- Must first hold a valid Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
- Minimum Total Experience Requirements prior to issuance of
the Commercial Pilot Licence:- 200 hours total time
- 100 hours PIC
- 20 hours PIC Cross Country
- 20 hours dual instrument instruction
- Must Complete a Solo Cross Country with at least three
en route stops with one stop at least 300 NM radius from the
original point of departure
Commercial Course Requirements (After issuance of PPL):
- 35 Hours Dual Instruction, including:
- 5 hours dual night instruction
- 2 hours dual night cross country
- 20 hours dual instrument instruction
- 5 hours dual cross country (total)
- 30 Hours Solo Skills Development
Commercial Pilot Licence – Flight Instruction
A Licenced Flight Instructor will provide all your flight instruction. This instruction will follow a Transport Canada approved syllabus that is broken into 4 Phases and 31 individual Lesson Plans. The structure of these lesson plans is designed to take you from the basic skills you have developed as a licensed Private Pilot, refine these skills, and develop additional skills that you will require as a Commercial Pilot.
There will be several key milestones in the earning of your Commercial Pilot License:
Completion of PPL: This is a prerequisite for commencing the Commercial Pilot License Course, you must hold a current Private Pilot License. This is your license to learn.
Solo Skills Development: After completing your PPL, you will be required to complete approximately 70-80 hours of flying as a licensed pilot. The emphasis during this period should be on flying as Pilot in Command (PIC) and doing as much cross country flying as possible. This should include the 300 NM radius Cross Country flight, which is an experience prerequisite for the issue of the Commercial Pilot License
Commercial Pilot Licence Study: This syllabus is geared to ensuring that you have the requisite knowledge and skills to be issued the Commercial Pilot Licence. Key elements of training include instrument attitude flying, night flying, and radio navigation. The commercial pilot written exam must be completed prior to flight testing.
Flight Test and Licensing: After completion of your basic course, your Flight Instructor will program a series of flights to ‘fine tune’ your skills in preparation for the Commercial Pilot Flight Test.
