Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane)

Qualification code: AVI50222

Overview

Have you always dreamed of flying for a career? On successful completion of the Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane) course you will be ready to make your dreams a reality.

This course complies with both Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) licensing regulations and Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). This means that on successful completion of the course you will be awarded the following:

  • Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane)

  • CASA Commercial Pilot Licence

Course Entry Requirements

For entry into this Diploma course, the following prerequisites must be met:

  • The minimum age to commence training is 17.

  • Applicants are required to hold a current CASA Class One Medical Certificate. Click here for more information on how to obtain a Medical.

  • Applicants are required to hold a current Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC). Click here for more information on how to obtain an ASIC.

  • Sit a Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment with an Exit Level 3 or greater in the Australian Core Skills Framework.

  • For international students, an academic IELTS of 6.0 or greater is required (or equivalent as determined by the College).

No previous flying or aviation experience is required. This course assumes the student begins with no aviation knowledge. It is however recommended you conduct a trial flight before committing to the course. A trial flight can be booked here.

Course Content

This course is a full-time integrated training course with a duration of 54 weeks. Integrated training is an intensive program of theory and practical flying designed in a way to complete the training in a condensed period of time.

The training is conducted to a syllabus that satisfies the knowledge and flight test standards specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for the grant of a Commercial Pilots Licence as well as the units of competency specified by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) for the issue of a Diploma of Aviation.

To be awarded the Diploma of Aviation, students will complete the 28 core units of competency and at least 1 elective unit of competency listed as part of the AVI50222 training package found here.

Start Dates

Upcoming start dates are:

  • 13 January 2025 [Enrolments Closed]

  • 14 April 2025

  • 14 July 2025

  • 13 October 2025

  • Further dates will be released soon

Outcomes

Upon successfully completing the course, you will be awarded the nationally recognised AVI50222 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane) and a CASA Commercial Pilot Licence.

A CASA Commercial Pilots Licence will enable you to fly single-engine aircraft in visual flight rules (VFR) conditions. Examples of jobs you can obtain with this qualification include:

  • Scenic flights

  • Small Aircraft air transport operations (charter flying)

  • Survey flying

  • Fire detection

Some jobs may require additional qualifications such as particular design feature or flight activity endorsements. On completion of this course you will also have the following design features on your licence:

  • Manual Pitch Propeller Control (MPPC)

  • Retractable Undercarriage (RU)

Course Structure

This course is split into 4 phases.

Phase 1 (16 weeks)

This phase starts with 6 weeks of Private Pilot Licence (PPL) theory (including your first 3 flight lessons) culminating with you sitting the CASA PPL theory exam. The remaining weeks are focused on completing the flight training required to successfully pass the CASA RPL flight test.

Flying for this phase is generally conducted in a Cessna 172.

Phase 2 (11 weeks)

This phase starts with a week of Private Pilot Licence (PPL) ground preparation and briefing before completing the flight training required to successfully pass the PPL flight test. The remaining 10 weeks are focused on completing the flight training required to successfully pass the CASA PPL flight test and an additional 15 hours of solo consolidation flying.

Flying for this phase is generally conducted in a Cessna 172.

Phase 3 (11 weeks)

This phase starts with 6 weeks of Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) theory covering 4 of the 7 required CPL subjects. Each subject’s theory delivery takes 5 days, with a study day and exam day scheduled for each subject. The remaining weeks are focused on flight training required to transition onto your CPL training aircraft and solo consolidation flying.

Flying for this phase is generally conducted in the Cessna 182 & 172RG or Grob G115.

Phase 4 (16 weeks)

This phase starts with 6 weeks of Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) theory covering the remaining 3 of the 7 required CPL subjects in a similar fashion to phase 3. The remaining 10 weeks are focused on completing the flight training required to successfully pass the CASA CPL flight test and make you a competent, industry-ready pilot.

Delivery

This course is currently delivered only on a full-time basis at Jandakot Airport. This course is an intensive Integrated Course that combines ground theory and practical flight training in a structured way and is designed to be completed in a condensed period of time.

As a full-time student, you will attend the college 5 days a week, generally Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Your training will be structured in a way that integrates both theory and flying. The nominal duration of the full-time course is 54 weeks.

The full-time course is fast-paced and will require good attendance and study at home to ensure the outcomes are achieved in the allotted time.

Application Process

  1. Complete and submit the application form

  2. We will contact you to organise an entry assessment based on the start date noted on the form. Entry assessments are conducted around 2-3 months before the course start date and consist of 3 events:

    • Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (LLN). This consists of two computer-based tests (approx. 60 minutes) to assess your basic level of literacy and numeracy.

    • Entrance Exam. This is an in-house exam that assesses maths, logic and reasoning (approx. 60 minutes).

    • Entrance Interview. An interview with members of the College’s staff.

  3. Letters of offer will be sent to successful candidates around 2 months before the course starts.

Fees

The current course fee is estimated at $110,000. This includes:

  • 87.6 hours of dual training

  • 70 hours of solo consolidation

  • All landing fees

  • 32.5 hours of formal briefing

  • All RPL, PPL and CPL Theory

The following is not included in the course fees:

  • Prescribed books

  • Air Law documents

  • Navigation equipment

  • Headset

  • Class 1 medical

  • Aviation Security Identification Card

  • Repeat exam sittings or flights

A VET Student Loan is available for this course for eligible students. Refer to the VET Student Loans section for more information.

Third Party Provider

The Western Australia Aviation College partners with The Royal Aero Club of WA to provide the practical flight training and assessment of this Diploma course. All ground theory is delivered in house by Western Australian Aviation College’s specialist lecturers.

Questions?

Read our FAQ!