Commercial Pilot Training 

The Commercial Pilot License is the final step on the road to becoming employable professional pilot.

This is the rating you will require to enter the commercial and airline world of aviation. You may be Pilot In Command (PIC) of aircraft up to 5700 kg (12500 lbs) maximum weight, which is typically defined by the Beechcraft King Air type. However, you may operate as a co-pilot (once you have completed the type-specific training) of any large commercial aircraft, up to the Boeing 747. To operate as PIC on large aircraft you must complete the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) rating.

Before applying for the CPL you will need to have completed your PPL and be required to pass a further medical and this medical will be at the higher Class 1 level. 

The minimum age for acquiring a CPL is 18.

A good knowledge of basic mathematics and physics as well as a good command of the English language is a requirement. Supplementary private tutelage may be required to bridge any deficiencies in this area and can be arranged on request.

Course requirements for the Commercial License with Instrument Rating(IR) add a  further 155 total flying hours after the PPL minimums, and includes 100 solo hours of which 50 must be cross-country by day and/or night and 5 hours must be night solo.  A minimum of 40 hours of instrument flight training is required of which 20 hours can be flown on an an approved and certified  Simulator (these 20 hours include the simulator hours from the PPL and Night Rating). 

 In addition to the practical flying hours, the student is required to pass the CAA theoretical examinations.  The CAA CPL (including Instrument Rating) written examinations cover the following:

 Meteorology
 Flight planning and performance
 Radio aids and communication
 Navigation and plotting
 Air law and operating procedures
 Instruments and electronics
 Human Performance
 Aircraft technical and general

You will  be recommended for your final flight tests only once you have completed the minimum requirements and more importantly, reached the standard of flying competency required.

The full PPL/Night Rating/Commercial/Instrument Rating lasts approximately 18 months, depending on weather, operational requirements and the student's progress.

You can begin your advanced course by starting a combination of your Night Rating, a conversion to a complex aircraft such as the Cessna 172 RG and flying some longer cross-country flights. You will also be scheduled for local training flights to continue practising what you learnt at PPL level.

It is a requirement that your final flight test will need to be done in a complex aircraft with retractable undercarriage.

The course is a lot of hard work and the study effort required should not be under estimated!

A reasonable  estimate of costs for the complete CPL(IF) is around R200 000 excluding accommodation.