CPL A Course Information

Thanks for your interest in gaining your Commercial Aeroplane Pilot Licence!

Starting your career as a pilot is a big decision, so if you would like to have a further chat about your options please give us a call on 07 4772 4997 or email [email protected]

Study Pathways

Between Townsville Flight Training and our training partners, there are a number of options you can choose from to study towards your Commercial Pilot Licence.

Which option suits you best depends on your timeframe, availability and what you aim to achieve after gaining your licence. Please download the Study Pathways guide and see details of each training option below to get a better idea of which option will suit you best. 

Full Time Integrated CPL Training through TFT

Full time Integrated CPL study with Townsville Flight Training:

Gain your CPL from scratch in approx. 9 months directly with TFT.

  • Takes approximately 8-9 months - 2 intakes per year
  • Integrated 150 hours (minimum) flight training
  • All theory conducted onsite (4 week Intro to Aviation Theory + 7 CPL subjects)
  • Paid as you go, in blocks of 10 hours flight training, in advance
  • Least expensive option but no funding available

Part Time CPL Training through TFT

Part time Non-Integrated CPL study with Townsville Flight Training:

Although full time study is recommended, we understand that is not always possible. TFT allows non-integrated students to study at a pace that suits them.

  • Start whenever you are ready – best to aim for 12-18 months to complete
  • Theory subjects can be self-studied, or; sit in class for individual subjects
  • Non-integrated 200 hours (minimum) flight training
  • Paid as you go, in blocks of 10 hours flight training, in advance – no funding available
  • Regular training recommended for continuity and to minimise chances of going over on flight training hours to reach competency

AVI50222 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane) through TAFE Queensland

AVI50222 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane) through TAFE Queensland

Townsville Flight Training provides training and assessment of this accredited qualification on behalf of TAFE Queensland RTO 0275 who will award the qualification upon successful completion. 

  • Same course structure as above (classes are combined) – all training through TFT
  • Course length is 9 months full time – 2 intakes per year
  • 150 hours flight training included in course
  • Theory conducted onsite (4 week Intro to Aviation Theory + 7 CPL subjects)
  • On successful completion, students receive a Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence) and a CASA Commercial Pilot Licence
  • Contact TAFE Queensland for course prices, entry requirements & payment options. Please contact the Aviation Liaison Officer at [email protected] or 0481 456 627

CL09 - Bachelor of Aviation through CQUniversity

CL09 - Bachelor of Aviation through CQUniversity

Study a degree in aviation with CQUniversity while completing flight training locally with Townsville Flight Training.

The Bachelor of Aviation with a major in Flight Operations is designed to prepare students for a career as a professional airline pilot. In this major, you will study the academic and aeronautical knowledge requirements of the Air Transport Pilot License and Multi Engine Instrument Rating.

Townsville Flight Training provides instruction for the practical flight training components of the Bachelor of Aviation (Flight Operations) and associated qualifications including training towards Recreational, Private and Commercial Pilot Licences, Multi-Engine Class Rating and Multi-Engine Instrument Rating.

Upon successful completion of your flight training, you should meet the academic requirements to obtain your Australian Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and a Multi-Engine Command Instrument Rating (MEIR).

  • Details on course structure available from CQUniversity
  • 3 years full time - 2 intakes per year
  • Study theory through CQU - online lectures & self-directed study
  • Flight training conducted through TFT
  • Flight training over 3 years - RPL through to CPL (with MEIR)
  • Contact CQUniversity for course prices, entry requirements & payment options

After having a read through the above guides - please let us know which option suits you best (direct full time/part time CPL training/ Diploma of Aviation/ Bachelor of Aviation) as the enrolment process, course cost and payment options are different.

 Please give us a call to discuss your options - 07 4772 4997.

Important information about the course:

Further details (including a detailed step by step guide on applying for your Licence Prerequisites) will be provided once you have decided to proceed with an enrolment.

Course dates

Our upcoming CPL & Diploma of Aviation intake dates are:

2023 dates:

  • Monday 3rd July (induction Fri 30th June)

2024 dates:

  • January 2024 (date tbc)
  • June/July 2024 (date tbc)

We can take enrolments for any upcoming courses. CPL & Diploma courses are run concurrently, with the same intake dates. 

For the Bachelor of Aviation - please contact CQUniversity for more details about the academic calendar for this course.

Register for an Upcoming Intake

Weight restrictions

While there is no strict weight limit for flight training in an aeroplane, students over 110kg will need to have a discussion with Townsville Flight Training directly regarding their suitability.  

Text books

Townsville Flight Training uses specific text books and flight training materials for our CPL & Diploma of Aviation course. These can be purchased directly through Townsville Flight Training, and be ready onsite for your course start date. Alternatively, the CPL text book pack can be purchased through AFT (for the same price). 

  • CPL Textbook Pack & Flight Training Induction Pack $1830

These will need to be organised and paid for at least 1 month out from your course start date.

Textbook packs can be purchased online through our store and can be paid by credit card, bank transfer or using Humm (buy now, pay later).

Click here to visit the store

TAFE students: please be aware that book packs cannot be covered under your payment arrangement with TAFE Queensland and will need to be purchased upfront

Bachelor of Aviation students: theory studies are conducted directly through CQUniversity - they will advise students of required study materials

Prerequisites

The following prerequisites are documents you are required by CASA to hold in order to obtain an Australian Commercial Pilot Licence. You will need to obtain (or be in the process of obtaining) these before your course begins:

  1. Aviation Reference Number (ARN)
  2. Class 1 Aviation Medical
  3. Aviation Security ID Card (ASIC)


You will need your ARN before you can start your other applications. We recommend starting these processes around 3 months out from the course start date to allow enough time for everything to be finalised. 

For late enrolments: please note that we can accept enrolments while these are still in process.

A full step-by-step guide will be provided once you have decided to proceed with an enrolment.

Trial Flights

Would you like to experience flying before you start a course? Townsville Flight Training conducts Trial Introductory Flights (TIF) where you get to fly the aeroplane. This also gives you an opportunity to see our facilities and chat to an instructor about the course. 

Find our more and book your TIF here

Course Prices

Pricing and payment options for the course depend on which course type you choose:

AVI50222 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane) through TAFE Queensland:

  • TAFE Queensland will provide information on pricing & payment options directly

CL09 - Bachelor of Aviation through CQUniversity:

  • CQUniversity will provide information on pricing & payment options directly

CPL training directly through Townsville Flight Training:

  • Full time: prices start from approximately $69,200 (under an integrated course - minimum 150 hours flight training)
  • Part time: prices start from approximately $88,700 (under a non-integrated course - minimum 200 hours flight training)
  • Training is paid in blocks of 10 hours flight training in advance

Once you have read through the course guide, please let us know which course type/s you are interested in and you will provided with detailed pricing.

Further Training

Townsville Flight Training also offer Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR) courses to students once they have completed their CPL licence. This rating teaches students to pilot more complex, twin engine aircraft and fly under Instrument Flight Rules, and is an important next step in a career in general aviation and beyond.

Find out more here!

Bachelor of Aviation students: the 3 year degree through CQUniversity includes training for your Multi-Engine Class Rating and Instrument Rating as standard

Previous Experience

If you have prior Aeroplane or Helicopter flight experience or have passed any of the CPL theory subjects, please contact Townsville Flight Training to discuss your options. You may be eligible to join a course as an 'accelerated student'.

Accommodation

Townsville Flight Training are not directly involved in organising student accommodation but are happy to pass on details of providers to students.

Most students organise their own rental properties close to the city for the duration of their course.

We also have a Facebook group set up where enrolled students can reach out if they have a room available or are looking for someone to share with for the duration of the course. We will provide you with a link for this once you have started the enrolment process.

Keep in Touch!

Get to know us a bit better and keep up to date on the latest news and reminders of upcoming courses on social media:

Facebook  Instagram

If you have decided on a timeframe or specific intake that you are interested in, please let us know and we'll make sure to contact you at the right time to start getting organised.

Just looking for now? We'll send occasional course reminders and invitations to open days etc to keep you in the loop.