A Commercial Pilot Licence allows you to be paid for flying work, so it’s essential if you intend to make helicopter flying your career. While it’s a big commitment, it opens the door to a world of possible flying jobs, from mustering cattle through to tourism, emergency rescue, flying instruction, exploration and survey, and much more.
To obtain a CPL, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be assessed as having at least Level 4 English Proficiency
• Hold a current aviation security status check
• Hold a Class 1 aviation medical
• Pass the CASA CPL theory examinations (7 separate exams covering the following subjects: Operations, Performance and Planning; Navigation; Aircraft General Knowledge; Aerodynamics; Human Factors; Meteorology; Flight Rules & Air Law)
• Undergo flying training for the CPL
• Have at least the following flying hours:
  

  Type of flying	Minimum Hours
  Helicopter Total	125*
  General Flying (Dual)	40
  General Flying (Solo)	25
  General Flying (Total)	35
  Navigation (Total)	25
  Navigation (Solo)	10

• Pass the CPL flight test

* The 125-hour minimum may be reduced to 105 hours if the last 30 are flown within a 3-month period.

Again, your rate of progress will depend on your individual circumstances, but as a guide, a CPL(H) is likely to approximately end up costing $90,000. *Based on R44 aircraft