Commercial pilot licence

Requirements

The basic requirements to obtain the license and the privileges it confers are agreed internationally by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). However the actual implementation varies quite widely from country to country. According to ICAO, to be eligible for a commercial pilot license, the applicant must;

• be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
• already hold a private pilot licence
• have received training in the areas of a commercial pilot
• successfully complete the relevant written exams.

In most European countries, aviation regulations are set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The requirements and privileges of a CPL are specified in EASA Part-FCL. Applicants for a CPL (aeroplanes) must have completed a solo cross-country flight of at least 300 nm with full-stop landings at two airfields other than the pilot's airfield of origin.

In the United Kingdom, a pilot must have flown 200 hours for the issue of a CPL, including 100 hours as pilot in command. They must have completed a qualifying cross-country flight of at least 300 nautical miles as pilot in command, including full stop landings at two aerodromes different from the departure aerodrome.

In Canada, a pilot must be at least 18 years old, and must hold a Category 1 Medical Certificate. They must complete at least 80 hours of classroom instruction on a variety of topics, and pass a written exam with a score of at least 60%. They must also have logged at least 200 hours of flying experience. The experience must include 100 hours as the pilot in command, as well as specific experience at night, flying cross-country, and instrument time.

In India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requires CPL applicants to be at least 18 years of age, hold a valid Class 1 medical certificate, and complete a minimum of 200 hours of flight time, including specified hours as pilot-in-command, cross-country, and instrument flight.{{cite web |title=Civil Aviation Requirements: Section 7 – Flight Crew Standards, Training and Licensing |website=Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India) |access-date=20 August 2025}}

References

References

1. Transport Canada. (24 November 2022). "Commercial Pilot Licence Aeroplanes — Privileges and Requirements".
2. Transport Canada. (18 February 2022). "Part IV — Personnel Licensing and Training". [[Canadian Aviation Regulations]].
3. "Personnel Licensing FAQ".
4. "EASA Part-FCL".
5. "Commercial pilot licence - aeroplanes {{!}} Civil Aviation Authority".
6. Canada, Transport. (2019-11-04). "Standard 421 - Flight Crew Permits, Licences and Ratings - Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)".