QUALIFICATION OVERVIEW
The CPL(H) is the Commercial Pilot Licence for helicopters. It allows the holder to exercise commercial helicopter pilot privileges within the limits of the licence, the helicopter type rating held, the medical certificate, recency and the operational rules of the activity.
It is the standard professional helicopter licence for pilots who want to work in areas such as aerial work, passenger transport, utility operations, flight instruction after obtaining instructor privileges, offshore support, HEMS pathways or other commercial helicopter roles.
ENTRY AND COMPLETION PROFILE
TYPE OF FLIGHT
Commercial helicopter flying, subject to the helicopter type rating held and the rules of the operation.
MINIMUM AGE
The applicant must be at least 18 years old before the CPL(H) can be issued.
EDUCATION REQUIRED
No universal degree is required, but the professional theory level requires strong study discipline, maths, physics, English, radio communication and operational judgement.
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
A valid Class 1 medical certificate is required to exercise commercial pilot privileges and should be obtained before committing to major training costs.
PREVIOUS LICENCE REQUIRED
The modular route normally starts with PPL(H), followed by hour building, theoretical knowledge and CPL(H) flight training at an approved training organisation.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
For the modular route, the applicant normally needs substantial helicopter flight experience before licence issue, including PIC time and cross-country experience.
ESTIMATED DURANTION
Duration depends on whether the student follows an integrated professional course or a modular route while building hours over time.
COMPLETE ESTIMATED COST
Helicopter professional training is expensive. The final cost depends on PPL(H), hour building, theory, CPL flight training, type rating, exams and extra practice.
FINAL RESULT OBTAINED
The final licence gives commercial helicopter privileges, subject to type-rating validity, Class 1 medical, recency and operational requirements.
TRAINING MODELS
The CPL(H) can be reached through an integrated professional helicopter course or through a modular route. Both can lead to the same commercial licence, but the structure, cost planning and student profile are very different.
INTEGRATED ROUTE
A continuous course delivered by an approved training organisation, designed to take a student through a structured professional syllabus towards CPL(H) standard.
MODULE ROUTE
A route that normally starts with PPL(H), then hour building, professional theory and a dedicated CPL(H) flight course.
STANDARD ROUTE
The CPL(H) route raises the pilot from private or ab-initio standard to commercial helicopter standard, with professional theory, advanced handling, navigation, emergency procedures and a skill test.
01
Complete the initial aeromedical examination before investing heavily in commercial helicopter training.
02
Integrated training follows a full professional syllabus from the start. Modular training normally starts with PPL(H), followed by hour building, theory and CPL(H) flight training.
03
The modular route normally requires an existing PPL(H) before moving into professional theory, experience building and CPL(H) flight training.
04
Plan for significant total helicopter time before CPL(H) issue, including PIC, cross-country and helicopter-type experience required by the approved route.
05
CPL(H) theory is professional-level and covers air law, aircraft knowledge, performance, planning, human performance, meteorology, navigation, operational procedures and communications.
06
The course develops commercial-standard helicopter handling, navigation, emergency management, confined-area awareness, judgement and operational discipline.
07
Helicopter commercial privileges are linked to type ratings, so the skill test is conducted on an appropriate helicopter type and the pilot must meet the related requirements.
08
The examiner assesses whether the applicant can operate to commercial pilot standard, including handling, navigation, abnormal procedures and command decision-making.
09
Depending on the target job, additional training may be required: night, IR(H), multi-engine helicopter type rating, MCC(H), offshore, HEMS, hoist, sling load or operator conversion training.
THEORICAL KNOWLEDGE
CPL(H) theoretical knowledge is professional-level and helicopter-specific, especially in performance, planning, principles of flight and operational procedures.
010
Regulations, licensing, airspace, rules of the air, ATS procedures and commercial helicopter operating framework.
021
Helicopter structures, rotor systems, powerplants, transmission, electrics, hydraulics, fuel systems and equipment.
022
Flight instruments, avionics, indication systems, limitations, warnings and helicopter cockpit equipment.
031
Loading, centre of gravity, passenger and baggage distribution, performance effects and operational limitations.
034
Hover performance, HIGE/HOGE, take-off and landing performance, density altitude, obstacle clearance and power margins.
033
Route planning, fuel planning, navigation logs, alternate planning, operational flight plans and monitoring during flight.
040
Physiology, psychology, fatigue, workload, stress, decision-making, CRM foundations and human limitations.
050
Weather theory, reports, forecasts, turbulence, icing, thunderstorms, visibility and low-level weather decision-making.
061
Charts, tracks, headings, wind correction, time and distance calculations, flight logs and visual navigation.
062
Radio aids, GNSS, instrument navigation concepts, navigation accuracy and system limitations.
070
Normal, abnormal and emergency procedures, low-level operations, confined areas, risk management and safety practices.
081
Rotor aerodynamics, autorotation, vortex ring state, retreating blade stall, translational lift and helicopter control.
090
VFR/IFR phraseology where applicable, emergency communication, ATC interaction and professional radio discipline.
PRIVILEDGE AND LIMITATIONS
A CPL(H) holder may exercise commercial helicopter pilot privileges within the limits of the licence, the helicopter type rating held and the applicable operational requirements.
TYPE RATING
The CPL(H) itself is a licence, not a helicopter type rating. The pilot must hold a valid type rating for the helicopter used in commercial operations.
The type rating, not the licence, is what normally determines which helicopter model the pilot may operate.
VALIDITY AND RECENCY
The CPL(H) licence itself is not normally treated like a fixed-expiry type rating. The ability to exercise commercial privileges depends on valid type ratings, a valid Class 1 medical, recency, language proficiency where applicable and operator requirements.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
INDICATIVE RANGE PLANNING
This range depends heavily on whether the route is integrated or modular, how much hour building is needed, helicopter type, school, fuel and operator-specific requirements.
DIFFICULTY ESTIMATE
The CPL(A) requires commercial-standard aircraft handling, stronger theoretical knowledge, disciplined flight planning and the ability to manage abnormal situations with professional consistency.
out of 5 · Professional
REGULATORY BASIS
Last reviewed:Â 8 July 2026
This page is based on EASA Easy Access Rules for Aircrew, including Part-FCL Subpart D for CPL, FCL.300, FCL.305, FCL.310, FCL.315, FCL.320, the CPL theoretical knowledge syllabus and the helicopter-specific type-rating rules in Subpart H. National authority procedures, examination systems, fees and operator requirements can vary.