The Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL) is aimed at pilots who wish to fly professionally and potentially earn a living from a flying career. Pilots can take additional courses to enable them to apply for jobs as Flying Instructors or Airline Pilots.

Pre-course entry requirements

Written CPL or ATPL exams done, Class 1 medical and 150 hours total and 100 P1. Night Qualification required before licence issue.

The Course

During your flying training you will have to complete a minimum of 25 hours flight training. This is all dual instruction and may include the 170A test (a mock test done by an examiner to determine your suitability for the real test). The course is taught to the following syllabus:

• General Handling (6 Hours inclusive of Complex Differences training)
• Instrument Flying (10 Hours)
• Navigation (7 Hours)
• Practice Skills Test 170A (2 Hours)

Prior to each flight throughout the course you will have a detailed pre-flight brief with your instructor, who will go through each element of the exercise. After the flight, there will be a thorough debrief, when you will be encouraged to discuss the flight with your instructor and when he/she will answer any questions you may have.

Practical Tests

The CPL involves one 'Skills' test consisting of 2 distinct parts:

The first part of the test is a navigation leg. The flight examiner will ask you to plan and fly a route with a diversion. It is designed to ensure that you can safely navigate and manage the flight before moving on to the second part of the test.

After completing the navigation leg, you will complete the second and final part of the test, general handling, instrument flying and emergency procedures. This consists of basic and steep turns, flying slowly & stalling, circuits (taking off & landing in different configurations) and a simulated engine failure.

The test itself is merely a demonstration of the flying skills acquired during training. You will not be asked to demonstrate anything which has not been taught during the training. It is very similar to a PPL skills test, but you are expected to perform the manoeuvres to a higher standard and demonstrate superior knowledge to PPL through both pre-flight planning and airmanship.

Initially, many people are apprehensive about the test, but you should relax. Our examiners are highly qualified and experienced 'FRIENDLY' people who know what they are looking for. They are not trying to catch you out. Treat the test like any other flight and you will find that it is an enjoyable experience...especially when you here the word 'congratulations'!

Medical Examination

All pilots must have a Class 1 Medical conducted by a CAA authorised medical practitioner. You can see a current list of names and addresses of AME’s (authorised medical examiners) at the CAA’s Safety Regulation Group website under the section 'personnel licensing'. Check out the web links page on our site for the address.

Theory (Ground) Examinations

Prior to commencing the course you must have passed all CPL or ATPL examinations with a recognised training school. Please see pre-course entry requirements at the top of the page.

Prices

20 Hours Cessna 172 and 5 Hours Rockwell Aero Commander: £5,425

15 Hours Cessna 172 and 10 Hours Rockwell Aero Commander: £5,850

10 Hours Cessna 172 and 15 Hours Rockwell Aero Commander: £6,275

5 Hours Cessna 172 and 20 Hours Rockwell Aero Commander: £6,700

25 Hours Rockwell Aero Commander: £7,125


Prices are for 25 hours flight training and include VAT, approach & landing fees at homebase. If you are already partway through a course and need to complete it, please call us for a quotation.