For a COMMERCIAL LICENSE you will need a Class 1 Medical which also requires an eye exam
with an OPTHALMOLOGIST:
You will need to do your main medical first and then you will receive a referral to the Ophthalmologist. Please note aviation medicals are not claimable on Medicare.
Shortly after commencing flying training and deciding that it's for you, you will need to apply for a
Student Pilot Licence (SPL) and Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC). These must be
attained before you can go solo. So too must your aviation medical. Particularly if you are
intending on having lessons fairly regularly, its important to get on to this early as it can take some
weeks to process. There is approximately 35 hours of flying training (for the average student) to
complete this license.
There are four theory exams spread out during this training. Your instructor will guide you through
the study for these and you certainly do not have to be a rocket scientist to pass them! Study books
are available from the club when you first start. On completion of this training you will be able to hire an aircraft and take friends or family on local flights around Cairns.
Step 2
Navigation Training and Full Private Pilot License (PPL)
This is where we teach you to navigate the aeroplane and take off and land at bush airstrips. We
will take you to interesting places like Chillagoe, Undara, Mount Garnet etc. If you desire, we can
even combine your navigation exercises and go to the Torres Straits or Gulf of Carpentaria.
There is another theory exam along the way and some theory books and navigation equipment to
purchase.
On completion of this license, you will be able to fly cross country to most places in Australia on
private operations or to fly yourself around for business. Imagine being able to go to Dunk Island
for lunch or take friends to the Gulf to go fishing!
You must be 17 years of age to hold a Private Pilots License. You can add additional ratings to a
Private License like Night and Instrument Ratings or various aircraft design features endorsements.
Commercial Pilots License (CPL)
Applications for the Commercial License must be at least 18 years of age and pass the more
stringent medical exam. For the Commercial License, the applicant must have accrued a minimum 70 hours of
solo flying and do some further dual training in an advanced aircraft which we have on line at the club.
There are another 7 theory exams to do, so quite a bit of study is required. At the completion of the
Commercial License the candidate must have a minimum total of 150 hours and pass a flight test.
This license allows the holder to be employed as a pilot for an approved charter or air service
operator. In other words, once you get a job you will get paid to go flying!
You can add additional ratings to the Commercial License including Instructor Ratings or Instrument
Ratings to make yourself more employable.
Airline Transport Pilots License (ATPL)
If you are looking at a career in aviation, this is the highest type of license. It authorises pilots to fly
heavier and more sophisticated aircraft and to act as command of aircraft on airline services. There
is no specific training for this license, it is simply a matter of gaining the required experience in the industry and passing another 7 theory exams. To obtain an ATPL, you must have a minimum of
1500 hours total time and a quantity of night and instrument experience.
If you want to work for a large airline, like Qantas, you would need to hold an ATPL.
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