Cobalt Aviation

The CPL allows you to fly for hire. A pilot with a CPL can be the Pilot In Command in a commercial service of any single-pilot aeroplane for which the licence is endorsed; as well, the holder of a CPL can act as the co-pilot in a commercial air service of any aeroplane (single-pilot, or multi-crew) for which their licence is endorsed. The CPL also includes the Night and VFR Over the Top Ratings.

In the aviation industry, a CPL is usually not enough to get hired. Additional ratings such as Multi-engine, Multi-IFR, Float, and Instructor ratings are required before you will be hired by a company. Be aware that these ratings are additional costs on top of the CPL. The CPL is just the first step towards flying commercially.

When studying the costs below, bear in mind that before you can begin training towards the CPL you must already hold a PPL, so make sure that if you are calculating the cost to obtain a CPL from scratch that you include the cost of the PPL. As well, in order to get your CPL you need 200 hours total flight time. If you complete your PPL and begin your CPL training right afterwards you likely will not have the 200 hours required. You can build the required time by renting or by obtaining additional ratings such as your Instrument, Multi-engine, or Float ratings (many people build time by getting additional ratings because they know that they will need them in the future anyway). In any event, make sure that you include the cost of this time-building in the total cost of your CPL.

PREREQUISITES FOR ENROLLMENT

To begin training for the Commercial Pilot Licence you must hold a medically valid Private Pilot Licence. In order to receive your licence, you must be at least 18 years of age and hold a Category 1 Medical Certificate.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

KNOWLEDGE

You shall complete the 40 hour Commercial Pilot ground school. The ground school provides instruction on the following subjects: (1) Canadian Aviation Regulations, (2) Aerodynamics and Theory of Flight, (3) Meteorology, (4) Airframes, Engines, and Systems, (5) Flight Instruments, (6) Radio and Electronic Theory, (7) Navigation, (8) Flight Operations, (9) Licensing Requirements, and (10) Human Factors, including pilot decision-making.

As well, you must pass the Transport Canada administered written examination for the Commercial Pilot licence-Aeroplane (CPAER), as outlined in the Study and Reference Guide-Commercial Pilot Licence-Aeroplane (TP 12881E).

EXPERIENCE

There is a minimum of 65 hours of pilot flight training in aeroplanes. This shall include a minimum of 35 hours of dual flight instruction of which a minimum of 5 hours shall be night time, and of these 5 hours night time, 2 shall be cross-country time. Of the 35 hours of dual flight instruction, 20 shall be instrument time.

As well, there is a minimum of 30 hours of solo flight time. This shall include 25 hours emphasizing the improvement of general flying skills which shall include a cross-country flight to a point a minimum of a 300 nautical mile radius from the point of departure, and shall include a minimum of 3 full-stop landings at points other than the point of departure. The applicant must also complete 5 hours of solo night time during which a minimum of 10 takeoffs, circuits, and landings shall be completed.

SKILL

Within the 12 months preceding the date of application for the licence, an applicant shall successfully complete a flight test to the standard outlined in the Flight Test Guide-Commercial Pilot Licence-Aeroplane (TP 13462E).

COSTS
Transport Canada Minimums

Ground School Tuition $300
Ground School Books $130
35 Hours Dual (@$175/hr) $6125
30 Hours Solo (@$130/hr) $3900
Ground Briefings (18  hrs@$45/hr)1 $ 810
Flight Test (Examiner fee + 1.5 hrs@$130/hr)2 $395

Medical Exam Fee3 $150
Transport Canada Fees4 $250
Total (without taxes)5 $12,060

1 This is an estimate. For every dual flight there is about 30 minutes of briefing time. Each dual flight is approximately one hour. For example, with 35 hours of dual there are approximately 35 dual flights; therefore, there is about 18 hours of briefing (one half-hour for each dual flight).

2 Different examiners charge different fees. Transport Canada examiners charge $200, other Private Examiners may charge a different amount. As well, 1.5 hours for the flight test is an estimate.

3 Different Civil Aviation Medical Examiners (CAMEs) charge different fees. This is the fee that one particular CAME charges; you can shop around for lower prices if you choose.

4 This includes the fees payable to Transport Canada for: writing the written exam ($105), issuing the licence ($80), and processing of the Medical Certificate ($55).

5 Remember that this cost is in addition to the PPL and any other time-building required to reach the 200 hour total flight time to obtain your CPL

FEE SCHEDULE

The dual flight training, solo flight training, and ground briefings can be paid for on either a pay-as-you-go basis, or you can put money on your account with us and costs will be deducted from your account as they arise. You will also need to enroll in ground school at some point (we strongly recommend doing it concurrently with your flight training); the cost is $200. As well, you will require the Ground School Books which cost $125 through us. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Debit, and Cash.

The Transport Canada fees are payable to the Receiver General of Canada and are due at the obvious times; for example, the fee for writing the written exam is due when you go to the Transport Canada office to write the exam.

* Fees quoted above are subject to change