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Overview

A Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) allows you to fly Australian registered Helicopters for hire or reward (i.e. work as a professional helicopter pilot). A minimum of 150 hours flight training is required before you undertake a flight test. However, if you meet a specific set of requirements the minimum flight training hours can be reduced to 105 hours with typical licence taking 115 to 125 hours. A Class 1 medical certificate and a pass in 7 CASA theory exams are also required.

Course Structure

Our CPL includes both flight training and theory training – so you can master the practical while engaged with the theoretical.

Flight training

You will complete a minimum of 105 hours flying which includes at least:

  • 25 general hours as pilot in command
  • 10 hours cross country as pilot in command

Available Training aircraft

  • Robinson R22
  • Robinson R44
  • Bell 206

Theory training

CPL theory training covers the following:

  • aerodynamics
  • operations, performance and flight planning
  • aircraft general knowledge
  • navigation
  • meteorology
  • flight rules and air law
  • human factors

The time taken to complete a pilot licence is governed by how much time you have available to dedicate to both studying theory and completing the practical flying component.

You need not fly everyday. Bookings are made to suit your schedule. In our experience a student who is studying full time CPL(H) would need a minimum of 6 months – although those who are
working and studying may take in excess of 2 years.

Flight lessons are mapped by sequence and the particular units of competency that are applicable. Prior to each lesson the student is given clearly defined objectives to achieve the elements of competency required to move on to the next sequence.

Typically we schedule lessons in a two hour slot which involves a pre-flight briefing, a flight lesson of approximately 1 hour, and a post-flight de-brief.  Double lessons and longer lessons are available depending on where you are at with your training.  Some of the lessons will require 3 – 4 hours to complete.

Initially you may find the lessons very demanding when learning basic manoeuvers, but as your
motor memory develops, handling the helicopter will become more instinctive.

People often ask ‘how soon before I go solo?’ There is a defined set of competency standards that are prerequisites for your first solo flight and you must prove to be consistent and accurate in each of these before that can occur, just as with completing your licence.

Towards the end of the course you’ll be spending two or more hours on cross country navigation flights flying far more fluently and frequently than you thought possible in the beginning.

Each student is different and will progress at different rates. You improve and plateau during
different stages of the training – our experienced instructors will continually monitor and provide you with feedback on your progress.

Further Pilot Training Options

Once you have earned your CPL you can choose to undertake further training at Heliwest to build upon your skills, qualifications and career opportunities. We offer advanced flight training in:

  • Night VFR Rating
  • Low Level Rating
  • Sling Operations Rating
  • Class/Type Ratings
  • Instructor Rating

In Australia there are a diverse range of pilot licence and ratings types. This means you have a number of training options to choose from. Whatever your aviation goals and priorities, we are able to tailor a training package to suit you. If you have a specific training requirement, or you’re not sure which training option is right for you, contact us to discuss your needs with our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Instructional Team

Heliwest’s Instructional Team is a group of highly qualified and broadly experienced pilots.
No matter what pathway you seek in Aviation, there will be an instructor amongst the crew
experienced in the operations you wish to turn into a career. You will typically be teamed up with a Primary and a Secondary Instructor. Your Primary Instructor conducts the bulk of your training and becomes your partner in training.

Heliwest combines these experienced Flight Instructors with modern, purpose equipped and highly maintained aircraft to ensure safety and targeted training.

Backed by Heliwest’s professional attitude and reputation to propel you, you’ll be well positioned to begin a successful career in the helicopter industry.

Heliwest instructors are friendly, approachable and always willing to spend time answering your questions and queries, so please feel free to come in and discuss your goals.