From First Solo to Commercial Pilot
A CASA Part 141 approved pathway — your clear path from beginner to professional pilot.
Cost & timeline at a glance
Flexible training path- Trial flightfrom $385
- Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL)~35–50 hours (first licence)
- Private Pilot Licence (PPL)~65–90 hours total
- Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)200 hours total
Full guide: steps, prerequisites, FAQ Pricing & typical costs
Course options
Pick the stage that matches your goal
Each pathway is self-paced and instructor-led. Start with the milestone that fits your experience, then keep building toward the next licence.
First Solo
15–25 hrs · (~1 month full time)
That heartbeat moment when your instructor steps out and says, 'She's all yours.' You're alone in the cockpit. The sky is yours. This is the milestone every pilot remembers forever.
- Start
- Start anytime
- Format
- 1:1 instructor-led
- Course load
- 15–25 hrs
- Outcome
- First solo milestone
View details
Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL)
35–50 hours (incl. previous)
You're no longer a student. You're a pilot. Fly within your training area, take friends up, and feel what it's like to have wings. The RPL is your first real ticket to the sky.
Course-style pathway: first solo consolidation, RPL theory, local area flying and next-step planning toward PPL.
- Start
- Flexible intake
- Format
- Self-paced training
- Course load
- 35–50 hrs total
- Outcome
- First pilot licence
View details
Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
65–90 hours (incl. previous)
Australia becomes your playground. Weekend trips to the coast, cross-country adventures, flying wherever the weather allows. The PPL is where 'I'm a pilot' truly sinks in.
- Start
- After RPL or from zero
- Format
- Cross-country training
- Course load
- 65–90 hrs total
- Outcome
- Private flying Australia-wide
View details
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
200 hours (incl. previous)
You're not just flying for fun anymore. Charter, instructing, cargo, regional airlines — the CPL opens the door to getting paid to fly. Your hobby becomes your career.
- Start
- Career pathway
- Format
- Structured CPL training
- Course load
- 200 hrs total
- Outcome
- Commercial licence
View details
Instrument Rating
Varies (incl. previous)
Clouds, rain, fog — no problem. The Instrument Rating lets you fly when others can't. It's the badge that separates recreational pilots from the pros who fly in any conditions.
- Start
- Add when ready
- Format
- Instrument training
- Course load
- Varies
- Outcome
- IFR capability
View details
Flight Training Packages
Flexible flight training packages at Bankstown, Sydney. Suit different stages of your flying journey. Talk to us for current pricing and tailored options.
Trial Flight
Try flying before you commit
- Best for
- First experience
- Format
- One-off flight
- Includes
- Instructor + aircraft
Price From $385
Introductory trial flights in our Cessna 172, PA28 Warrior or Cirrus SR22. A great way to experience flying for the first time.
- C172 Trial Flight: $385 (dual instruction from $465/hr)
- Warrior Trial Flight: $385 (dual instruction from $465/hr)
- SR22 Trial Flight: from $594 (dual instruction from $940/hr)
- Hands-on flying time with a qualified instructor
- Perfect gift or first step towards your licence
Beginner Package
Perfect first step into flying
- Best for
- Beginners
- Format
- Block training
- Includes
- 8 hrs dual + 5 hrs ground
$4,764$4,300Highly recommend
Introductory block of dual instruction designed to take you from zero experience to confident circuit flying.
- 8 hours dual flight-training plus 5 hours ground brief
- Structured one-on-one lessons with an instructor
- Covers basic handling, take-off, landing and circuits
- Includes pre-flight and post-flight briefings
First Solo Package
From zero to first solo
- Best for
- First solo goal
- Format
- Structured package
- Includes
- 15 hrs dual + theory
$9,445$8,500
Structured package to take you to first solo: dual flight, ground theory, GELP/pre-solo English assessment and in-house first solo exam.
- 15 hours Dual flight
- 12 hours Ground Theory
- 1 GELP/pre-solo English assessment
- In-house first solo exam
- Price includes landing fee and GST
Hour Building Package
Build experience towards your next licence
- Best for
- PIC time
- Format
- Hour building
- Includes
- 20 hrs aircraft hire
$6,400
20 hours building package to help you accumulate Pilot in Command time towards CPL.
- 20 hours of aircraft hire for hour building
- Flexible scheduling to suit your availability
- Ideal for navigation and cross‑country experience
- Excludes landing and parking fees
Frequently Asked Questions
Flight training at Bankstown Aerodrome, Sydney