Bachelor of Aviation (Commercial Pilot)
Duration | 3 years full-time |
Location | Cairns |
Next start term | Term 1, 2024 |
Study mode | On Campus |
Course code | CL29 |
CRICOS | 097033M |

Overview
If your career aspiration is to become a professional commercial airline pilot capable of managing a multi-crew environment, then the Bachelor of Aviation (Commercial Pilot) will prepare you for this. The degree will provide you with the knowledge, skills and experience to satisfy requirements for Commercial Pilot Licence and Command Instrument Rating, and to become a commercial pilot.
The Bachelor of Aviation (Commercial Pilot) will prepare you for a career as a commercial pilot. In this course, you will gain the aeronautical knowledge and experience required to achieve a Commercial Pilot Licence and Command Instrument Rating. In the first year of your study, you will fly solo in the circuit area of the training aerodrome. You will learn about the physics of aviation, flight planning, navigation, performance, loading and operations pertaining to small general aviation aircraft. You will calculate basic flight plans and fuel plans. You will also study meteorological, and navigational factors that affect flying, such as aerodrome forecasts and area forecasts. You will develop knowledge of planning flights on navigational charts and airspace requirements. You will also be introduced to the laws that are relevant to aviation.
During your second year, you should be eligible to apply for your first pilot licence, the Recreational Pilot Licence, and start your navigation training. You will learn the aerodynamics, aeronautics, meteorology, navigation, flight planning and loading required by a commercial pilot. You will learn about the human factors that impact commercial pilots. Flight planning and navigation, both visually and using instruments, are also covered. Towards the end of the second year, you should be eligible to apply for your Private Pilot Licence and start your Commercial Pilot Licence training.
During your third year, you will complete your Command Instrument Rating training and your Commercial Pilot Licence training and you should be eligible to apply for your Commercial Pilot Licence and Command Instrument Rating.
Career Opportunities
When you graduate with the Bachelor of Aviation (Commercial Pilot) you will meet the aeronautical knowledge and experience requirements for careers as a commercial pilot in the air transportation industry. You would normally be legally qualified to work as a commercial pilot and have access to aviation careers in the air transportation industry, or a cadetship/ traineeship offered by some airlines. With additional flight training, you can explore opportunities in general aviation such as; flight instructing, tourism operations and agricultural operations such as mustering and crop spraying.
Structure & Availability
COURSE STRUCTURE
You are required to complete a total of 19 core units.
First year
- Basic Aeronautical Knowledge
- Basic Aeronautical Practice
- Aviation Physics
- Aviation Law
- Flight Planning, Performance and Operation (Private Pilot Licence)
- Aeronautical Flight Practice 1
- Aeronautical Flight Practice 2
Second year
- Aerodynamics (Commercial Pilot Licence)
- General Aeronautical Knowledge (Commercial Pilot Licence)
- Meteorology (Commercial Pilot Licence)
- Navigation (Commercial Pilot Licence)
- Aeronautical Flight Practice 3
- Flight Planning, Performance and Loading (Commercial Pilot Licence)
- Aviation Human Factors (Commercial Pilot Licence)
- Instrument Flight Rules and Procedures
- Aeronautical Flight Practice 4
- Advanced Aeronautical Flight Practice 1
Third year
- Advanced Aeronautical Flight Practice 2
- Advanced Aeronautical Flight Practice 3
Licence Type | Flight Experience | |
First Year | Fly solo in the circuit area and training area of the training aerodrome | |
Second Year (First Half) | Recreational Pilot Licence | Fly a single-engine aircraft within 40km of the airfield |
Second Year (Second Half) | Private Pilot Licence | Start your navigation training and visit multiple aerodromes in regional and outback Australia |
Third Year | Commercial Pilot Licence and Multi-Engine Command Instrument Rating | Accumulate 100 hours of Pilot In Command (PIC) flight experience |
UNIT INFORMATION
For information on the units, you could study as part of this course, visit the Handbook and select the "Course Structure" tab.
CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION
If you have already completed study relevant to the course you have enrolled in, and able to supply a logbook for review, we will be able to undertake a competency assessment for evaluation.
On-Campus Availability
Intake | Locations |
---|---|
Term 1, 2024 | Cairns |
Not applicable.
The course includes flight training of up to 227.3 hours total time (207.3 hours flight time and 20 hours simulator time), 100 hours of pilot in command time and 46 hours of instrument time.
This should be sufficient to obtain your Australian Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and a Multi Engine Command Instrument Rating (MECIR).
If you require extra flight hours to reach the required standard for each unit, there will be additional costs, see the Handbook under 'More Details'.
Requirements
Recommended study
OP English, Physics and Mathematics
Students must sit and pass the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approved Aviation English Language Proficiency Test and obtain a Level 4 or higher in this test PRIOR to undertaking your Flight Practice during your enrolment in CL29 Bachelor of Aviation (Commercial Pilot). To assist you in preparing for the Aviation English test, you will be undertaking the Test of English for Aviation Preparation Course concurrently during Term 1 of your first-year studies. Please note this Preparation course will be offered to you at no additional cost.
English Requirement
English Test
IELTS Academic 6.0 with no individual band score of less than 5.5
TOEFL Internet-based Overall score of 75 with no score less than 17
Pearson Test of English Academic Overall score of 54 with no score less than 46
Other requirements
An offer of admission into the course will be conditional on a student passing: a Civil Aviation Safety Authority approved Aviation English Language Proficiency Test; and obtaining a Class 1 Aviation Medical and an Australian Security Identification Card, in Term 1 of the first year. These must be obtained at the student's expense. Please visit the CQUniversity international student webpages for additional information.
Students are required to hold a Class 1 Aviation Medical throughout the course.
Students are required to obtain an Australian Security Identification Card (ASIC) before commencing flying.
Students are required to hold the Australian Security Identification Card (ASIC) throughout the course.
Fees & Scholarships
2023 Indicative Fees
Fee Type | Fees |
---|---|
International Indicative First Term Fee | A$19,560 |
International Indicative First Year Fee | A$39,120 |
Please note the following important information:
- Fees are in Australian dollars (A$).
- Fees are indicative only and do not cover additional costs such as textbooks, accommodation, visa applications, OSHC, general living etc.
- Fees are based on a full-time study load and the final fee payable will be determined by your selection of units and if any credit was awarded for recognition of prior learning.
- The University reserves the right to amend fees at any time during the course. Fees are reviewed yearly and may increase in the following year to enable CQUniversity to continue to provide quality services and facilities to students.
- Courses are subject to change at the discretion of the University.
- It is your responsibility to make yourself aware of the entry requirements and prerequisites of the courses you wish to undertake.
- The typical annual fee shown provides an estimate of the tuition fees for the first year of the course in the same academic year. This estimate assumes a full-time study load of 4 units per term (based on two terms).
- Students not on an Australian student visa can only undertake courses online from an overseas location.
- Courses undertaken online may be studied on a full-time or part-time mode.
- International students studying on-campus in Australia may take no more than 33 per cent of their entire course by online education, and this option cannot be taken in its entirety during a compulsory term (Term 1 and Term 2).
Please refer to our international course fees page.
Scholarships are not applicable for this course.
How to apply
Our easy to use online application system for international students will guide you through the process of applying for a course at CQUniversity Australia.