Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
If you would like to fly as a career, a Commercial Pilot License is a minimum requirement. A CPL holder may exercise the privileges of a Private Pilot License, VFR Over The Top Rating, and in most cases Night Rating too.
This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training.
Minimum Program Outline as per Transport Canada
We understand that starting your flight training education can be overwhelming, so please visit our Flight Training page to learn more about what is involved in the process of getting your license, rating, or permit.
The duration of this program is approximately 6 – 12 months. Candidates may complete the program in less time with open availability and dedication.
This program outline is based on the minimum requirements set by Transport Canada. Candidates may require additional training to reach the required level of safety and proficiency.
1. Prerequisites
2. Knowledge Requirements
3. Experience Requirements
4. Skill Requirements
1. Prerequisites
- Licensing
- Candidates must hold a Canadian Private Pilot License – Aeroplane or,
- In case of foreign licenses issued by an ICAO contracting state, a Foreign License Validation Certificate
- Minimum Age
- An applicant shall be a minimum of eighteen years of age for the program completion (CAR421.30).
- Medical Fitness
- An applicant shall hold a Category 1 Medical Certificate valid for a Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane: (CAR421.30)
- The licence holder may exercise Private Pilot Licence – Aeroplane privileges until the end of the medical period specified for the Private Pilot Licence.
- The licence is maintained by a valid Category 1 Medical Certificate.
2. Knowledge Requirements
- Ground School
- An applicant shall have completed a minimum of 40 hours commercial pilot aeroplane ground school instruction on the following subjects: (CAR421.26) i. Canadian Aviation Regulations, ii. Aerodynamics and Theory of Flight, iii. Meteorology, iv. Airframes, Engines and Systems, v. Flight Instruments, vi. Radio and Electronic Theory, vii. Navigation, viii. Flight Operations, ix. Licensing Requirements, and x. Human Factors, including pilot decision-making.
- Written Examination
- In addition to the ground school requirements, an applicant shall obtain a minimum of 60% in each of the following four mandatory subject areas as well as in the overall written Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane (CPAER): (CAR421.30) i. Air Law – regulations, rules and orders, air traffic services, practices and procedures, and licensing requirements relevant to the licence; ii. Navigation – navigation, radio aids and electronic theory; iii. Meteorology; iv. Aeronautics – General Knowledge – airframes, engines and systems, theory of flight, flight instruments and flight operations.
3. Experience Requirements
- An applicant for a commercial pilot license – aeroplane shall
- i. Have completed a minimum of 200 hours flight time in aeroplanes, of which a minimum of 100 hours shall be pilot-in-command time including 20 hours cross-country pilot-in-command flight time, and
- ii. Following the issuance of a private pilot licence — aeroplane by Canada or another contracting state, have completed 65 hours of commercial pilot flight training in aeroplanes consisting of a minimum of:
- A. 35 hours dual instruction flight time, under the direction and supervision of the holder of a Flight Instructor Rating — Aeroplane, including:
- i. 5 hours night, including a minimum of 2 hours of cross-country flight time;
- ii. hours cross-country, which may include the cross-country experience stated in subclause (I); and
- iii. 20 hours of instrument flight time in addition to the experience stated in subclauses (I) and (II). A maximum 10 hours of the 20 hours may be conducted on an approved aeroplane simulator or synthetic flight training device.
- B. 30 hours solo flight time including:
- i. 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; and
- ii. 5 hours solo flight time by night during which a minimum of 10 takeoffs, circuits and landings were completed.
- A. 35 hours dual instruction flight time, under the direction and supervision of the holder of a Flight Instructor Rating — Aeroplane, including:
4. Skill Requirements
- An applicant 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. (CAR421.30)
Program Costs
Please visit the Tuition and Rates page on our website to view the costs for this program.
Admission
Please visit the Admission page on our website to begin the process of admission to this program.
For more information about this program or any other matter, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page on our website.