Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence Training Course - CPL(H)
Tailored CPL Courses In Melbourne
A Commercial Helicopter Pilot’s Licence - CPL(H), allows you to work as a professional helicopter pilot within the aviation industry. Our training courses are tailored to students specific requirements and learning styles. At the completion of the course, students will be a qualified commercial helicopter pilot, equipped with the knowledge and expertise to start your career and beyond.
Career Opportunities With a CPL(H) Licence
To help you get your career off to a great start, we provide our top graduates with a substantial amount of job search mentoring and referrals to many potential employers throughout Australia and internationally. We also offer on the job experience, internships, and the ability to private hire one of our beautiful helicopters to help you gain experience and get your adventures underway! *Conditions apply.
Our Team of Flight Instructors
Our friendly team of instructors have an extensive range of industry experience including; tourism, charter, agricultural work, news, firefighting, utilities, aerial crane, survey, exploration, search and rescue.
We strive to stay up to date with the latest training and safety practices and apply them to our personal and professional development, and we encourage our students to do the same.
Course Overview
CPL(H) Training Course Curriculum
Don't only do we provide the practical training required for the CPL(H) but we also provide private and / or classroom tuition for the 7 CPL aviation theory subjects, these subjects are examined by CASA at an approved examination centre.
Complete 105 hours of flight training
In order to complete the course 105 hours of flight training must be conducted, with the final 30 hours completed within a 90 day period. Our course structure is designed to provide students with the skills needed to start working as a commercial pilot from day 1 of completing their course.
Course Structure
The course of training can be summarised in four stages.
Core skills
- Normal procedures
- Upper air handling
- Hovering
- Take off/ land
- Circuits
- Navigation
Emergency procedures
- Auto rotation
- Jammed flight controls
- Cockpit indications
- Aerodynamic emergencies
- Emergencies at low altitude
Solo experience
- Circuits
- Training area
- Navigation
Revision and advanced skills
- Revise core skills
- Emergencies
- Off field landings
Trial Introductory Flight (TIF)
Duration: 2 hours (Pre-flight briefing plus 40minutes flight time)
From: $400 per person
You may even just want to give a go once- just to see what it’s like. There is no obligation to continue, the only thing you can get wrong is not to try.
SPECIAL HELICRAFT-ONLY OFFER:
If you go on to complete the next stage of your training, the cost of your TIF will be fully refunded to your training account. That means that you may end up paying nothing for your first lesson!
Additional Course Requirements
Obtain a Class 1 Medical Certificate
A Class 1 medical certificate standard applies to several types of aviation licences including the Commercial Pilot Licence. Unless advised otherwise by the Aviation Medicine Section, the Class 1 medical certificate is valid for one year. You can apply for a medical certificate in CASA’s medical record system. In order to complete this you will need your Aviation Reference Number - you can apply for a ARN on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority site. A medical certificate is not required to begin flight training. However, it will be required before conducting solo flights.
Undertake an English language proficiency assessment
In order to obtain your Commercial Pilots licence you will need to complete a English Language proficiency exam. This can be done with Helicraft Australia or at an approved language centre by CASA. The English language proficiency assessment is not required to begin flight training, it will be required before conducting solo flights. But some conversational English is necessary to facilitate clear communication with our instructors.
CPL Theory Examinations
There are 7 CPL theory exams in total. Their structure includes 3 subjects common to aeroplanes and helicopters; Navigation (CNAV), Meteorology (CMET) and Human factors (CHUF). And 4 exams for helicopters; Aerodynamics (CADH), Flight rules and air law (CLWH), Aircraft general knowledge (CSYH), and Operations, performance and planning (CFPH). These exams can be completed in any order at an approved examination centre.
All 7 exams must be completed within 2 years of passing your first exam.
Each exam requires a minimum of 70% pass rate except for the Flight Rules and Air Law exam which require an 80% pass rate.
Aerodynamics Exam
This exam covers the fundamental aerodynamics knowledge for helicopters. The subject includes topics such as; characteristics of aerofoils, aircraft design techniques for desirable effects, aerodynamic hazards and many more.
Flight Rules & Air Law
Includes many topics such as; use of relevant legal documents, privileges and limitations of pilot licences, rules of the sky, flight planning considerations, radio procedures, and helicopter rules.
Navigation
Outlines the flight planning process, considerations and techniques for navigation. The exam is written for aeroplanes but translates well to helicopter navigation planning.
Meteorology
Is for helicopters and aeroplanes, covering topics such as; decoding aeronautical weather forecasts, applying forecast information to flight planning requirements, and understanding weather phenomena that may be encountered in flight.
Operations, Performance & Planning
This exam includes principals and requirements to ensure the aircraft is operated within its limitations, aircraft performance calculations, centre of gravity calculations, and planning considerations.
Aircraft General Knowledge
Includes topics such as engine operation principals, engine monitoring systems, aircraft handling and navigation instruments, and general operation of aircraft systems.
Human Factors
Covers topics such as physiological and psychological limitations that relate to aviation safety management.
FAQs About The CPL Course
Working as a commercial pilot presents a range of exciting opportunities for industries to work in. Our graduates have gone onto successful careers across both commercial, industrial and government sectors. Common industries and services our pilots go onto include:
- Aerial stock mustering
- Aerial photography and filming
- Scenic joyflights / tourism industry
- Flight instruction
- Bushfire fighting
- Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR)
- Police Air Work
- Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS)
- Corporate flights / general charter service
- Agricultural crop spraying and livestock herding
- News and Television
No prior experience required, no tertiary education or high school diploma is necessary to start the Commercial Pilot licence. All the knowledge and experience required is covered in the CPL course and CPL theory exams. However, we do recommend taking part in our Trial Introductory Flight. This will allow you to get behind the controls of the aircraft in the sky and try a few basic operations. There is no minimum age for this but to obtain your CPL licence you must be at-least 18 years of age. At the end of the flight we can discuss potential training options if you wish to continue.
Course Fees & Requirements
- Casual Flight training rate starts at $580*/hr
- Cadetships significantly reduce the hourly training rate. Conditions apply, Contact us for more information.
- Flexible payment options available.
- Theory training is available at $80/hr for private tuition or $5100 for the 7 CPL subjects’ if you choose the class-room training.
*refer to T&C regarding aircraft pricing.
How to apply for the CPL(H) Course?
To start training visit us at 20 First Avenue, Moorabbin Airport, book a Trial introduction flight or your first lesson by calling 1800 HELICRAFT (1800 435 427) or emailing flights@helicraft.com.au.