If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your love of flying into a full-time career, a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is your ticket to the skies. Whether you’re aiming to become an airline captain, charter pilot, flight instructor, or crop duster, a CPL is the essential credential that allows you to get paid for your time in the cockpit.
And if you're looking for a flexible, professional, and highly-recommended ground school to help you get there, look no further than Level Flight.
Turn Your Passion into a Career: How to Get Your Commercial Pilot License in Canada
Why Pursue a CPL?
Unlike the Private Pilot License (PPL), which is perfect for recreational flying, a CPL is built for the career-minded pilot. With this license, you're no longer just flying for fun—you’re opening doors to exciting roles across the aviation industry.
A CPL is ideal for:
- Aspiring commercial or airline pilots
- Individuals looking to teach others as flight instructors
- Pilots interested in charter services, aerial surveying, or crop dusting
- Anyone eager to advance into professional aviation roles
How to Become a Commercial Pilot in Canada
Your journey to becoming a professional pilot starts with a few key steps. Here's what you’ll need to do:
Meet the Basic Requirements:
Age: You must be at least 18 years old to obtain your CPL (but training can begin at 17).
Private Pilot License (PPL): This is a prerequisite—you’ll need your PPL before moving on to commercial training.
Medical Certificate: A valid Category 1 Medical Certificate from Transport Canada is required.
Ground School: Build Your Aviation Knowledge
Commercial ground school dives deep into essential topics like:
- Canadian Aviation Regulations
- Meteorology
- Aerodynamics & Flight Operations
- Navigation
Level Flight offers a comprehensive and convenient online Commercial Pilot Ground School, designed to help you absorb all of this material from anywhere, on your own schedule. Their expertly crafted lessons, supportive community, and easy-to-use platform make it an ideal choice for busy aspiring pilots.
Minimum Requirement: 80 hours of classroom or online instruction.
Flight Training: Get Behind the Controls
To qualify for your CPL, you’ll need a minimum of 200 total flight hours, which includes:
- 100 hours as Pilot-in-Command (PIC)
- 35 hours of dual instruction, including instrument and night flying
- 30 hours solo, focused on skill-building
- 20 hours of cross-country flight time
This hands-on experience is where you’ll truly begin to hone your craft and build confidence in your abilities as a future pro pilot.
Exams and Testing
To earn your CPL, you must pass:
Transport Canada’s written exam (CPAER)
A flight test demonstrating your readiness and skill, based on the Commercial Pilot Flight Test Guide.
How Much Does It Cost?
In Canada, earning your CPL typically costs between $25,000 and $35,000, depending on how many training hours you need beyond the minimum. This investment covers:
- Ground school
- Flight instruction
- Exams
- Other administrative costs
Keep in mind, everyone learns at a different pace, so budgeting a little extra for additional training is a good idea.
Why Choose Level Flight for Your CPL Ground School?
At Level Flight, they understand that becoming a commercial pilot isn’t just a goal—it’s a lifestyle change. Our online Commercial Pilot Ground School is built for flexibility without compromising quality. With Transport Canada-compliant content, engaging lessons, and a supportive student community, Level Flight gives you the tools to succeed on your schedule.
No commuting, no rigid class times—just focused, high-quality aviation education that prepares you for your flight test and beyond.
Check us out here: Level Flight CPL Ground School
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Becoming a commercial pilot in Canada is a rewarding journey—both professionally and personally. With the right training and a solid support system, your dream of flying for a living can become a reality.
So what are you waiting for? Enroll with Level Flight today, start building your aviation knowledge, and take the first step toward a high-flying career.
Yes! All of our courses come with standard support which includes easy access to professional help. Methods of accessing support include:
- In-portal messaging
- Website support request form
- In-portal Discussion groups
Completing ground school online does not mean learning alone. Pilot training is a team effort and we're here to support you!
Definitely. We offer a variety of courses that meet the regulatory standards for all kinds of operations. Whether you want to host the courses on your LMS or require the use of our LMS we've got you covered. Contact us so we can discuss your specific needs.
It sounds like a difficult process to become a pilot. Truth is, it's fairly straight forward and you are guided every step of the way. Refer to the following links to learn about the process to become a pilot and the various licenses and ratings. Included in the links is our articles page which is always updated with new content that can answer more of your questions.
Level Flight Alumni Say
The number of Level Flight Ground School Pilots continues to grow. We are proud that our comprehensive and innovative Ground School curriculum inspires students to complete their first steps and continue to develop to achieve their aviation dreams. Here is what some of our students past and present say about their experience with Level Flight Ground School.
Take Flight Now
Level Flight is Canada’s best online ground school. It is our mandate to provide higher quality, more engaging training for Canadian Student Pilots. If you are seeking the exhilarating freedom of flight for a hobby or with aspirations of a career in the skies, Level Flight offers the best ground school experience available. Sign up for our online learning platform now and discover the adventure that awaits you at Level Flight.
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