Commercial Pilot Licence
Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane (CPL)
NEXT INTAKE?
Flexible learning to suit your lifestyle
HOW LONG?
*Based on 2 lessons per week. This self paced course can be fast-tracked by increasing your weekly lessons
COURSE LOAD?
Face-to-face
2
Hours of self study per week
LOCATION
FLYING HOURS?

Start your career with flexible study.
The Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane (CPL) is the minimum qualification required to fly commercially and earn an income as a pilot. The commercial pilot stage of your flight training will broaden your understanding of how to handle an aircraft in a safe and efficient manner. Progress to fly the dependable and charter ready Cessna 182T Skylane where you will also attain the Manual Propeller Pitch Control (MPPC) endorsement.
Work towards your new career in the skies with SFC’s flexible study pathway.
Upon successful completion of CPL Flight Training you will:
Be able to fly anywhere within Australia and the world
Be able to fly clear weather conditions during the day
Be able to pilot single engine aircraft
Hold the CASA Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
Hold the CASA Manual Propeller Pitch Control (MPPC) design feature
Is this course right for me?
Our self paced Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) course is designed to fit the unique schedules of aspiring commercial pilots.
SFC Graduate
Commercial Pilot


Course overview.
Hours
Hours
Hours
Months
Hours
Hours per week
Piper Archer TX
Cessna 182T
Flying
Fuel
Landing fees
Simulator
Briefings
Primary Instructor
SFC facilities
Member benefits
- Start anytime
*Estimated pay as you go price if the syllabus is completed without any repeats.
Our guide offers an overview of our self paced courses, tailored to fit your lifestyle and allowing you to obtain your licence at a pace that suits you best.
Study Mode: Face-to-face
Location: Bankstown Aerodrome (Sydney, Australia)
Total course hours: 702 Hours
Duration: 24 months based on 2 lessons per week (2 hours study per week) | Self paced
Cost: AUD $130,000*
*Estimated pay as you go price if the syllabus is completed without any repeats.
Fees: This course is self funded. Fees must be paid upfront per flight.
Schofields Flying Club Limited Trading as SFC
RTO 90866
Prerequisites:
18+ years old to sit your Commercial Pilot Licence Flight Test;
Able to speak and understand English Level 6;
Be able to pass a Class 1 Medical*.
*Class 1 Medical: A medical conducted by a DAME (Designated Aviation Medical Examiner). This is required by all commercial pilots at all levels of aviation. It is a yearly requirement to assess your physical and mental health.
Core Units | Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
Lesson
Dual/Solo
Effects of Control
Dual
Straight & Level
Dual
Climbing & Descending
Dual
Turning
Dual
Stalling
Dual
Circuits x4
Dual
Circuits: Flapless & Go Arounds
Dual
Circuit Emergencies: EFATO
Dual
Circuit Emergencies: Glide Approaches
Dual
Circuits: Pre-Solo Check
Dual
Circuits: First Solo
Solo
Circuits: Second Solo Check
Dual
Circuits: Second Solo
Solo
Circuits: Third Solo Check
Dual
Circuits: Third Solo
Solo
Circuits: Solo
Solo
Circuits: Crosswind Operations
Dual
Training Area Familiarisation
Dual
Practice Forced Landings (PFL)
Dual
Steep Turns
Dual
Advanced Stalling
Dual
Training Area Check
Dual
Training Area Solo
Solo
Circuits: Short Field Operations
Dual
Basic Instrument Flight (BIF)
Dual
Basic Instrument Flight (BIF) Simulator
Dual
Training Area Solo 2
Solo
Precautionary Search and Landings (PSL)
Dual
Training Area Solo 3
Solo
Consolidation & Circuits
Dual
RPL Pre-Licence
Dual
RPL Flight Test
Dual
Navigation Ground Briefing 1
Briefing
Navigation Ground Briefing 2
Briefing
Dual Navigation 1
Dual
Dual Navigation 2
Dual
Dual Navigation 3
Dual
Dual Navigation 4 - GPS
Dual
Dual Navigation 5
Dual
Dual Navigation 6
Dual
Dual Navigation 7 - Pre Solo
Dual
Solo Navigation 1
Solo
Dual Navigation 8
Dual
Solo Navigation 2
Solo
Dual Navigation 9
Dual
PPL Knowledge Assessment
Dual Navigation 10
Dual
PPL Pre Licence
Dual
PPL Flight Test
Dual
Core Units | Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
AVIZ0006
Manage situational awareness in aircraft flight
AVIY0083
Execute advanced aeroplane manoeuvres and procedures
AVIY0058
Manage aircraft fuel
AVIY0057
Land aeroplane
AVIY0056
Control aeroplane in normal flight
AVIY0055
Take off aeroplane
AVIY0054
Control aeroplane on the ground
AVIY0047
Manage abnormal aeroplane flight situations
AVIY0041
Apply the principles of civil air law to aviation operations
AVIY0040
Apply aeronautical knowledge to aviation operations
AVIY0037
Operate at a controlled aerodrome
AVIY0036
Operate at non-towered aerodrome
AVIY0035
Operate in Class G airspace
AVIY0034
Operate in controlled airspace
AVIY0033
Operate aircraft aircraft using aircraft flight instruments
AVIW0032
Operate and manage aircraft systems
AVIW0029
Manage pre and post flight actions
AVILIC0003
Licence to operate a commercial aeroplane
AVIO0017
Manage disruptive behaviour and unlawful interference with aviation
AVIH0014
Navigate aircraft under visual flight rules
AVIF0035
Manage human factors in aviation operations
AVIH0010
Plan a flight under visual flight rules
AVIF0033
Manage aircraft passengers and cargo
AVIF0030
Manage safe flight operations
AVIF0027
Implement aviation fatigue risk management processes
AVIF0029
Implement threat and error management processes
AVIF0026
Implement aviation risk management processes
AVIE0006
Maintain aircraft radio communications
Elective Units | Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
AVIH0015
Plan a flight under night visual flight rules
AVIN0004
Supervise and manage safe flight operations as pilot in command
AVIN0003
Command an aircraft in multi-crew environment
AVIZ0002
Maintain and manage situational awareness as pilot in command
AVIY0017
Control aircraft in advanced flight manoeuvres
AVIY0073
Operate aircraft in the traffic pattern at night
AVIF0023
Apply aircraft safety procedures
AVIH0015
Plan a flight under night visual flight rules
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
Before undertaking your flight test to obtain your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), you must first sit your CASA Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) exams.
The exams will test your knowledge on 7 different subjects:
1. CMET (Meteorology)
2. CNAV (Navigation)
3. CLWA (Flight rules and Air law)
4. CADA (Aerodynamics)
5. CFPA (Operation, performance and flight planning)
6. CSYA (Aircraft general knowledge)
7. CHUF (Human factors)
You must achieve at least 70% (A pass mark of 80% required for CLWA).
Preparation for your exam is through self-study; however, SFC offers ground theory courses to help you feel confident and fully prepared for exam day.
Reading these documents thoroughly will help you understand your rights and responsibilities, plan your academic journey effectively, and make the most of the resources and opportunities available at SFC.
This document describes the SFC procedures for making and resolving complaints or grievances.
Before you provide us with any personal information, it's important you read and understand our Privacy Policy.
Let's outline the out-of-pocket expenses you can expect to incur while completing this course, ensuring you can make an informed decision about pursuing your passion for flying.
Support options
Prior to commencement
SFC Starter Pack

SFC have partnered with Downunder Pilot Shop to create the SFC Starter Pack. A curated collection of products to ensure all students starting their training have everything they need.
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SFC Students - where are they now?
Many of our former students have gone onto stellar airline careers, from regional airlines to major international carriers. Our pilot licence courses are designed to make you a commercial and airline-ready pilot, equipping you with the essential skills and knowledge required for the aviation industry.
Our state-of-the-art simulators and experienced instructors provide realistic and practical flight training scenarios, giving our students a competitive edge in the professional pilot job market. As a result, our graduates are highly sought after.
GRADUATE CAREERS
International Airline Pilot
Domestic Airline Pilot
Regional Airline Pilot
Business Jet Pilot
Flight Instructor
Charter Pilot
Agricultural Pilot
Government Services Pilot
Fly now.
Pay later.
We understand that you may require financial support to complete your flight training journey. That's why we've teamed up with Handypay to offer fast, flexible and affordable payment plans to help you reach your aviation dreams sooner. Payment plans are now even easier with market leading rates, no exit fees and more.
Handypay offers:
Loan amounts from $2,001 - $75,000
Loan terms between 1-7 years
Repayment frequency of Weekly, Fortnightly or Monthly
No early repayment penalties
Funding approved within 24 hours
HandypayTM is a product of Our Money Market Lending Pty Ltd (ABN 64 605 231 669), an unrelated party of SFC from which SFC receives no commission, reward or inducement. As with any financial offering, interested students are encouraged to seek their own professional advice when considering such offerings.

How Do I Get Started?
Learn to fly with the best training provider. The SFC team are always looking for interested and ambitious students. Take the next step in your aviation career and apply for our Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane (CPL).
Applications for commercial flight training are open year-round and you can start anytime.
Stage 1. SFC Meet and Greet
A chance for you to visit the clubhouse and college campus and check out our training fleet in person. A Course Advisor will explain all relevant information about the Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane (CPL) and answer any questions you may have.
Stage 2. Membership Application
Club Membership
SFC is a not-for-profit flight school, and all students are required to hold a Full Club Membership. This will give you access to participate in flyaways, club events and discounts.
Application Form
To commence the Commercial Pilot Licence Application Process, complete the SFC Application Form. This will hold your position in the course.
Stage 3. Primary Instructor and initial booking
Allocation of Primary Instructor
Based on your availability, we will assign you a Primary Instructor for your training. Your Primary Instructor is your mentor throughout your training to help you achieve your goals.
Book in your first lessons
We will book in your induction and first 4 lessons to kick-start your training.
You must be at least 18 years old to sit the Commercial Pilot Licence Flight Test, be able to speak and understand English at Level 6 and be able to hold a Class 1 Medical.
The Commercial Pilot Licence course with SFC typically takes about 24 months to complete, based on 2 lessons per week. However, it's a self paced course that can be fast-tracked by increasing your weekly lessons.
Upon successful completion, you will hold the CASA Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), which allows you to fly anywhere within Australia and the world in clear weather conditions during the day. You will also obtain the CASA Manual Propeller Pitch Control (MPPC) design feature.
The CPL course requires 200 flying hours to complete.
The course is face-to-face and self paced. It involves 200 hours of flying time and requires approximately 2 hours of weekly self-study. The total course duration is 24 months, which can be adjusted based on your pace.
To pass the CPL Flight Test and obtain a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), you must meet several requirements. You need to be at least 18 years old, and have completed a minimum of 200 flight hours, including solo flight, cross-country navigation training, and basic instrument flying. A Class 1 or 2 Medical certificate from CASA is mandatory, along with successfully passing an English Language Test.
The CPL Flight Test lasts about 3.5 hours. Training for a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) takes around 18 months after earning a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) if you fly 2–3 times per week. It includes navigation training, solo flights, basic instrument flying, and command experience. Passing the flight test qualifies you for a CPL.
To become an airline pilot, you need a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). Many airlines also require a Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR), Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC), and Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) theory credits. Upset Prevention Recovery Training (UPRT) is preferred. Pilots typically gain experience through charter flying, agricultural flying, flight instructing, or tourism flying. With 500–1500 flight hours, depending on demand, you can apply for airline roles.
To become a certified commercial pilot, you must hold a CASA Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and meet the following qualifications:
• Accumulate a minimum of 200 flying hours.
• Obtain endorsements such as the Manual Propeller Pitch Control (MPPC) design feature if required by your role.
• Meet the English Language Proficiency requirements at Level 6.
• Hold a valid Class 1 Medical Certificate.
• Gain any additional endorsements or qualifications required for specific aviation roles, such as multi-engine, instrument rating, or type ratings, depending on your career path.
These qualifications, combined with experience and additional training, will prepare you for various roles in commercial aviation.