AVI50222 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane)

Take your career to new heights

The sky’s the limit with an exciting career in the aviation industry as a qualified commercial aeroplane pilot. TAFE Queensland (RTO 0275), in partnership with Aerostar Aviation, will give you the skills and experience you need to take your career to new heights.

In this course, you will receive quality training under the expert guidance of Aerostar Aviation’s experienced trainers to give you all the theoretical and practical skills and knowledge needed to gain your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL-A) in compliance with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and National Operating Standards.

In this course, you’ll learn how to perform routine and emergency commercial pilot duties, including passenger, charter, and cargo operations. As a commercial aeroplane pilot, you will discover various options to hone your skills and open up a range of career opportunities,
including rural operations, joy flights, air transport charter operations, and search and rescue.

Successful completion of this course will give you the knowledge and practical skills required to embark upon an exciting career as a commercial aeroplane pilot.

LOCATION

Students will train at Aerostar Aviation’s Parafield Airport facility in Adelaide’s northern suburbs. This is an ideal training location, as it allows pilots to fly in controlled airspace with student-friendly air traffic controllers.

LOCATION: Hangar 8, Parafield Airport, Adelaide
ANNUAL INTAKES: February, May, August 2025 (contact us for future dates)
DURATION: 50 weeks
WORKLOAD: Full-time, five (5) days per week
STUDY MODE: Classroom
FULL COST: Full fee $94,195*

*VET Student Loans available through TAFE Queensland (RTO 0275). See the payment options section below for more information.

AEROSTAR AVIATION’S PARTNERSHIP WITH TAFE QUEENSLAND

TAFE Queensland is Queensland’s largest, most experienced training provider, delivering practical, industry-relevant training across a range of industries, from entry-level certificates to bachelor degrees.

Aerostar and TAFE Queensland have entered a third-party training agreement to deliver the Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane) (AVI50222) in Adelaide. Under this arrangement, TAFE Queensland is the Registered Training Organisation (RTO 0275) and will be responsible for issuing the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) certification. AQF courses are nationally recognised training, which means your qualifications and skills can be used anywhere in Australia and may provide you with credit points towards further study.

Experienced Aerostar instructors will conduct all training and assessment on behalf of TAFE Queensland. Learn More about TAFE Queensland at tafeqld.edu.au or call (07) 3307 4798.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Commercial or military pilot entrants to this qualification should check requirements with CASA or Defence Aviation for specific pilot entry standards.

The following are the mandatory entry requirements for enrolment in this course. Prospective students must:

  • have an Aviation Reference Number (ARN)
  • obtain a Unique Student Identifier (USI) before enrolling in the course
  • produce evidence of a current Aviation Class 1 Medical
  • be in possession of, or in the process of applying for a current Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) for flight crew by your first census date
  • be eligible to obtain English Language Proficiency to meet the minimum requirements set by CASA
  • be a minimum of 18 years of age prior to the completion of the course to enrol in the qualification.
  • provide evidence of ability to complete a diploma-level course for VET Student Loan purposes
  • have completed Year 12 (or equivalent) with passes in English and Maths, plus completion of the Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) with a minimum result of exit level three (working at level four), or for individuals who have not completed Year 12, have relevant work experience or qualifications that indicates likely success of course completion plus completion of the Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) with a minimum result of exit level three (working at level four)
  • be able to purchase the required student resources and have a device suitable for accessing online exam-prep material (Laptop, iPad, etc.).

DELIVERY

This course is full-time, delivered over 50 weeks, comprising of 29 units of competency and 150 hours of practical flight training. Students are expected to undertake additional personal study to complete the course requirements.


The successful achievement of this qualification requires you to complete all core and one elective unit listed to the right.

CORE UNITS

AVIE0006Maintain aircraft radio communications
AVIF0026Implement aviation risk management processes
AVIF0027Implement aviation fatigue risk management processes
AVIF0029Implement threat and error management strategies
AVIF0030Manage safe flight operations
AVIF0033Manage aircraft passengers and cargo
AVIF0035Manage human factors in aviation operations
AVIH0010Plan a flight under visual flight rules
AVIH0014Navigate aircraft under visual flight rules
AVILIC0003Licence to operate a commercial aeroplane
AVIO0017Manage disruptive behaviour and unlawful interference with aviation
AVIW0029Manage pre- and post-flight actions
AVIW0032Operate and manage aircraft systems
AVIY0033Operate aircraft using aircraft flight instruments
AVIY0034Operate in controlled airspace
AVIY0035Operate in Class G airspace
AVIY0036Operate at non-towered aerodromes
AVIY0037Operate at a controlled aerodrome
AVIY0040Apply aeronautical knowledge to aviation operations
AVIY0041Apply the principles of civil air law to aviation operations
AVIY0047Manage abnormal aeroplane flight situations
AVIY0054Control aeroplane on the ground
AVIY0055Take off aeroplane
AVIY0056Control aeroplane in normal flight
AVIY0057Land aeroplane
AVIY0058Manage aircraft fuel
AVIY0083Execute advanced aeroplane manoeuvres and procedures
AVIZ0006Manage situational awareness in aircraft flight

ELECTIVE UNIT

AVIY0073Operate aircraft in the traffic pattern at night

PAYMENT OPTIONS

No matter what your circumstances, TAFE Queensland has a payment option to suit you. If you are unsure of what’s right for you, get in touch. We’re here to help.

VET STUDENT LOAN – $94,207 cap 2025*

The VET Student Loans program assists eligible students enrolled in approved courses to pay their tuition fees.  The Australian Government charges full fee-paying (non-subsidised) students a 20 percent loan fee in addition to their tuition fees.  A VET Student Loan is a debt that must be repaid.

*For more information on VET Student Loans, please visit dewr.gov.au

PAYMENT PLAN

If you have difficulty paying for the full cost of a course upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan. Learn more at tafeqld.edu.au/paymentoptions

NEED TO KNOW

Tuition fees cover the cost of the following:

  • tuition – theory and practical (including aeronautical experience of up to 150 hours)
  • CASA English Language Proficiency (ELP) test (initial)
  • commercial Pilot Licence CASA Flight Test (initial)

Tuition fees do not include the cost of the below items required for this course:

  • Aviation Class 1 Medical
  • Aviation Security ID Card (ASIC)
  • closed-in shoes (not steel caps)
  • personal headset and equipment
  • textbooks, charts, and maps
  • CASA examination fees – prices vary depending on the examination; please contact CASA for more information.

Please be aware that additional costs may be incurred for any unsuccessful examinations undertaken with The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Additional fees may apply if extra flying hours are required to achieve the standard Commercial Pilot Licence.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Skill and knowledge assessments are an essential step in progressing through your course. You may be assessed in a number of ways while you are studying at TAFE Queensland, including observation, written assessment, questioning, portfolios, work samples, third-party feedback, and through recognition of prior learning.

Contact TAFE Queensland

Testimonials from students

“I transitioned from a career in automotive to full-time aviation studies, pursuing a diploma in aviation to become a commercial fixed-wing pilot through TAFE Queensland and Aerostar Aviation. Since making the leap, I’ve received excellent support from both Aerostar Aviation and TAFE Queensland. The instructors and staff have been incredibly helpful, making it easy to seek assistance without hesitation. I highly recommend TAFE Queensland and Aerostar Aviation to anyone considering a career in aviation as a fixed-wing pilot.”

Brett - current student. AVI50222 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane) with TAFE Queensland (RTO 0275)