Comercial Pilot licence - CPL (a)
Take the next step and turn your passion into a professional career.
The Commercial Pilot Licence is the step that turns flying into a profession. Once you hold it, you can get paid to fly — as an air-taxi pilot, instructor, sightseeing operator, airline first officer or on specialised missions.
Training follows EASA modular standards. We guide you the whole way: from the post-PPL hour building through full ATPL theory to the final Skill Test with a CAA examiner.
From Hobby Pilot to Professional
CPL(A) is the licence that unlocks commercial flying. PPL lets you fly for fun; CPL lets you fly for pay. It's the necessary stepping stone toward an airline career (ATPL) and a standalone qualification for many aviation jobs.
Get Paid to Fly
A PPL pilot can only fly non-commercially. With CPL you can act as a paid pilot-in-command — air taxi, sightseeing, photo flights, aerial work, seasonal operations.
Gateway to Airlines
CPL + ATPL theory + IR + MCC = the so-called Frozen ATPL. This is the standard entry ticket for a First Officer position with an airline.
Professional Standard
Training on complex aircraft (retractable gear, variable-pitch propeller) and an emphasis on precision flying to professional tolerances.
What You Need to Meet
These are all the entry conditions under EASA Part-FCL. Some items must be in place before the practical module starts, others can be completed during it.
Minimum age 18
You can take the CPL Skill Test no earlier than your 18th birthday. You can start training and ATPL theory earlier.
Valid PPL(A)
You must hold a Private Pilot Licence under EASA. No PPL, no CPL.
Class 1 Medical
EASA Class 1 Medical (CAA Prague or an accredited AME). Required before the practical module.
Min. 150 flight hours
Before starting the practical CPL module. Of those, at least 100 h as PIC and 20 h cross-country as PIC.
ICAO English Level 4+
Documented ICAO English Language Proficiency Level 4 or higher — mandatory for international operations.
Theory completed
Passed CPL(A) theoretical exams — ideally the full ATPL(A) scope. Exams are administered by the CAA.
R/T certificate
General radiotelephony operator's certificate for aeronautical mobile service. Usually obtained during PPL training.
Qualifying X-country
At least 300 NM cross-country flight with full-stop landings at 2 different aerodromes — flown during Time Building.
How Training Unfolds
A modular path from fresh PPL to final Skill Test. Click a phase for details.
Building Flight Experience
EASA requires 150 flight hours before the CPL practical module. After PPL (~45 h) you still need roughly 105 h. This phase is known as Time Building.
- ✓Min. 100 h as pilot-in-command (PIC).
- ✓Min. 20 h of cross-country flights as PIC.
- ✓Qualifying 300 NM x-country with 2 stop-overs.
- ✓Min. 5 h of night flying (Night Rating recommended).
- ✓MEP and IR ratings recommended for a smooth path to ATPL.
What You Can Do With a CPL
CPL(A) alone unlocks a wide range of professional opportunities. For an airline career you'll typically add MEP, IR and MCC.
Air Taxi & Charter
General Aviation operations: business jets, sightseeing and charter flights, ferry flights, aircraft positioning.
Airline First Officer
With Frozen ATPL (IR, MEP, MCC, ATPL theory) added, you become a candidate for a second-pilot position with airlines.
Flight Instructor (FI)
After completing the FI(A) rating you can train new PPL pilots and build flight hours paid by your students.
Aerial Work
Photo flights, calibration flights, banner towing, glider towing (with the proper endorsement), inspection flights.
Special Operations
SAR, EMS, monitoring and patrol duty, parachute-jump aircraft — subject to additional type and operational training.
Test & Demo Flights
Demonstration and factory flights for manufacturers & dealers, post-maintenance check flights.
Ratings After CPL
CPL is a launchpad. These qualifications typically build on it — the order and combination depend on your target career.
Custom planHow Much Time and Money It Takes
A rough estimate for modular CPL training — exact numbers always depend on your pace, weather, chosen add-on ratings and current fuel prices.
Month 1–3 · ATPL theory starts
In parallel with the start of Time Building. Distance study from home, in-person consultations as scheduled.
Month 3–9 · Time Building
Gradually flying off 105 h, the qualifying x-country, recommended Night Rating. Can be combined with a day job.
Month 9–12 · CAA exams
ATPL exams taken in sittings at the CAA in Prague. As little as 10 working days between sittings.
Month 12–14 · Practical CPL module
25 h of intensive training, part on a complex aircraft, ending with the Skill Test.
Month 14+ · Add-on ratings
MEP, IR, MCC — typically another 2–6 months depending on which ratings you choose.
What Drives the Final Cost
- ▸ Aircraft hourly rate — PA-28 / C172 vs. a complex (RG, VP) aircraft.
- ▸ Time Building hours — any pre-existing logbook time reduces the bill.
- ▸ Theory format — pure distance vs. in-person blocks.
- ▸ Scope of add-on ratings — MEP / IR / MCC each raise the total budget.
- ▸ Season & weather — affects how fast you can fly off hours.
We prepare a tailored cost estimate based on your starting point, target career and pace.
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CAA Exams
Theory exams are computer-based at the Civil Aviation Authority in Prague. Full ATPL scope = 13 subjects; standalone CPL = 9 subjects.
Pass conditions
- • Min. 75 % per subject.
- • Max. 6 "sittings".
- • Max. 4 attempts per subject.
- • All within 18 months of the first sitting.
- • Validity: 36 months for the Skill Test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Career
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