Get your Commercial Pilot Licence with flexible training that fits your life – starting at Archerfield Airport.
Whether you’re career-changing, building toward charter work, or chasing instructor ratings, V2 Helicopters gives you clear structure, experienced instructors, and a pathway that actually leads somewhere.
35,000+ flight hours. Real-world training. Job-ready skills.
Train at your own pace or go intensive. Either way, you’ll learn the habits that hold up in busy airspace, not just perfect conditions.
Clear pricing. Flexible scheduling. Real support from lesson one to flight test.
A Commercial Pilot License in Brisbane is the qualification that allows a pilot to fly a helicopter for hire or reward under Australia’s aviation rules. Get your camera ready, because you can learn to fly at your own pace with flexible training that fits real life, and we’ll guide you from the first lesson to the flight test from Archerfield.
Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of your flight test
You must be an Australian citizen; OR
A permanent humanitarian visa holder who will be a resident of Australia for the duration of the unit of study; OR
Are a qualifying New Zealand citizen and met the requirements, which are:
The Symbiotics ADAPT assessment must be completed and passed prior to commencing your enrolment. The assessment is at a cost to you of $220 and takes approximately two hours to complete. Flight One School of Aviation would need to arrange this for you.
Symbiotics do offer practice tests to familiarise you with the testing process and better prepare you for the ADAPT assessment
You must provide a copy of your Australian Year 12 High School certificate; OR
You must hold a CASA Class 1 medical certificate to fly solo.
You must hold an ASIC (Aviation Security Identification Card) during your training.
If you are aiming for a commercial career, the pathway usually moves through three stages: foundations, structured skill building, then test readiness. CASA’s CPL guidance explains that aeronautical experience requirements differ depending on whether you complete an integrated course, and for helicopter applicants it shows 100 hours (integrated) or 150 hours (non integrated) of aeronautical experience, with required pilot in command time and instrument components.
At V2 Helicopters we combine a practical course structure with the mindset of a working operator. We are Brisbane’s longest running helicopter team, with 35,000+ flight hours in Queensland, so our instructors teach habits that hold up on a busy day, not just in perfect conditions.
At V2 Helicopters, we offer two training pathways to become a commercial helicopter pilot — the self-funded Commercial Pilot Licence and the AVI50322 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter). Both options can be completed full-time for fast-track training or part-time with flexible scheduling so you can keep your current job while you study.
The self-funded CPL(H) is ideal for those who prefer to finance their training independently and avoid a government loan. The AVI50322 Diploma, delivered in partnership with Flight One School of Aviation (RTO 31285), is a nationally recognised qualification eligible for VET Student Loan funding for approved students — allowing you to train now and pay later.
No matter which pathway you choose, you’ll receive high-quality, scenario-based flight and theory training that prepares you for a successful career in aviation.
| R22 Helicopter (Max Weight 105kg) | |
| Pay-as-you-go | $680 /hr |
| 10-Hour Block | $6,600 |
| R44 Helicopter (Max Weight 135kg) | |
| Pay-as-you-go | $1039 /hr |
| 10-Hour Block | $9,890 |
| Bell 206 (Max Weight 135kg) | |
| Pay-as-you-go | $1599 /hr |
| 10-Hour Block | $14,600 |
| Private Theory Course | |
| Human Factors | |
| Aircraft General Knowledge | |
| Aerodynamics | |
| Meteorology | |
| Navigation | |
| Air Law | |
| Ops, Performance and Planning | |
| $7,350 | |
| CASA Exam Booking Fees | $169.34 – $195.45 |
| CPL-H Resource Pack | $359 |
| Aviation Reference Number | $0 |
| Medical Examination & Certificate | $800* |
| Aviation Security ID Card | $280* |
| Flight Test Fee | $1,732.50* |
Your course can be tailored to the flying you want. Some students want charter and tourism. Others want airwork, aerial photography, or a longer plan that includes instructor training and ratings. We help you choose a stream, build the right sequence of endorsements, and stay focused on employable skills.
Not everyone can study full time. We offer flexible schedules, self paced study support, and structured tuition, so you can keep working while you build hours. If you have a tight timeline, we can also plan an intensive block once your theory and skills are ready.
Commercial flying is about consistency. You will learn aircraft handling, emergency procedures, navigation, radio calls, controlled airspace habits, weather decision making, and passenger management. The goal is simple: fly smoothly, think ahead, and make calm decisions when the plan changes.
Your CPL journey is built around progressive competencies and regular reviews. CASA’s guidance also notes you need a Class 1 medical certificate to sit the CPL flight test and when exercising CPL privileges.
Instrument training and an instrument rating can widen opportunities. We will explain what each rating adds, how much time it usually takes, and when it makes sense to invest.
Becoming an instructor is one of the most reliable ways to build experience inside strong safety standards. If you want to teach, we shape your habits early: clear briefing, disciplined checks, and plain language explanations.
Most helicopter pilots start in tourism, charter, and entry level commercial work, then progress into specialised roles. Training in Brisbane gives you exposure to busy airspace and real client expectations. If your long term plan includes aeroplane study, we can map when to add it and how to keep it cost effective.
Most applicants start with no aviation background. You will need identification, the right medical standard, and the willingness to study. If you are coming from another school, we can review your logbooks and records and help you avoid redoing completed work.
You can start anytime, but the best starts are planned. We recommend a trial lesson, a theory plan, then a weekly schedule. That keeps your learning consistent and makes payment and time commitments predictable.
A skills check is about preparation and coachability. If you can learn from feedback and keep showing up, you can become a safe, professional pilot.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) can apply when you have documented experience and currency. We assess your hours, endorsements, theory credits, and flight reviews, then advise on the cleanest credit transfer path.
International students can study in Australia, but timelines and visa steps can be detailed. Contact us early so we can explain documentation, processing time, and what you will need before you arrive.
English matters because radio calls are time critical. For medicals, CASA’s CPL guidance highlights the Class 1 medical requirement for the flight test and privileges.
We help you build a realistic weekly routine: study blocks, lesson times, and catch up sessions, plus local advice for transport and settling into Brisbane.
If you want to test the waters, ask about discovery flights, short programs, and study tours. They are a practical way to confirm the pathway before committing to a full programme.
The total cost depends on aircraft type, lesson frequency, and how quickly you reach competency. Cost effective training is mostly about consistency: fly regularly, study between lessons, and arrive prepared.
We can discuss payment plans and package options, including upfront blocks for students who want clear budgeting.
Some students explore loans or VET style funding, but eligibility changes. If funding matters to your decision, we will help you find official information and the right questions to ask.
We train at Archerfield Airport in Brisbane, giving you access to a strong training environment and professional aviation services. That can reduce delays and keep momentum.
We use a practical fleet and structured briefings to support skill development. Simulation is used where it genuinely helps, but the core is hands on flying with disciplined debriefs.
You will learn the rhythm of commercial aviation: pre flight planning, weather checks, weight and balance, passenger briefings, post flight paperwork, and tidy logbook habits.
There are a number of different career paths to choose from within the helicopter industry. Some roles require more experience than others but all are rewarding careers. Below is a list of the main helicopter industry sectors to consider when selecting your career path:
We stay close to Queensland aviation networks and keep a clear view of what employers value: safe decisions, strong communication, clean records, and a calm cockpit.
In a consultation we can share real progression examples, including how pilots move from training into tourism, then into charter, then into more complex work, plus the common gaps that slow people down.
We help with practical job readiness: interview prep, CV wording, and logbook presentation, plus honest advice on first roles and timelines.
Upon completing your commercial helicopter licence the first thing you should do is research the market to identify which companies are currently employing pilots. Most first helicopter pilot jobs are in the tourism industry so this is a great place to start.
We keep an up to date a list of these tourism operators throughout Australia, complete with contact details exclusively available for V2 Helicopters students. Once you have identified which companies are currently employing, then you need to visit them in person. Always follow up and email with a phone call and, even better a visit in person. Try and set up a meeting beforehand though this is not always possible.
You may have to work on the ground for a period of time before being allocated a flying role. This is normal practice and should be seen as a valuable learning opportunity. We operate a busy charter operation at Archerfield and regularly offer our ex-students the chance to fly a helicopter conducting scenic flights around the Brisbane Area. This is a great opportunity to build your hours required and experience customer interaction.
Tell us your current job, your goal, and your preferred timeline. We will map the course, required steps, and a study plan you can follow.
Meet the team, see the helicopters, and ask every question you have. It is the quickest way to feel confident about your school choice.
If you are comparing Brisbane schools, ask for clarity. We will talk through training options, aircraft, expected study time, and what “commercial ready” looks like.
Build a weekly study and flying schedule that fits your life.
Book a trial flight and meet your instructor.
Fly, review, and progress toward your CPL flight test.
You might see terms like CASA, RTO, CRICOS, VET, TAFE, units, programme guides, campus access, academy intakes, national qualification notes, and course codes such as AVI50222 or AVI50519. Some schools reference FlyLink tools, engineering support, Cirrus aircraft, Griffith pathways, additional services, certificates, diplomas, exams, resources, and self paced web learning. These terms should lead to clearer information, not confusion.
You may also hear VSL, MTO, FTO, VFR, NVFR night, dual instruction, elective units, full-time weeks, tuition, entry criteria, ABN, Pty Ltd, course options.
CASA’s guidance points you to Part 61 licensing regulations and explains maintaining privileges, including flight reviews for class ratings and currency expectations.
If you want a Brisbane helicopter school that treats you like a person, not a number, contact V2 Helicopters today. Book online or call (07) 3274 6666, and let’s turn your pilot goal into a real plan.
