AVI50322 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter)
Take your career to new heights
The sky’s the limit with an exciting career in the aviation industry as a qualified commercial helicopter pilot. TAFE Queensland (RTO 0275), in partnership with Helistar, 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 Helistar’s experienced trainers to give you all the theoretical and practical skills and knowledge needed to gain your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL-H) in compliance with the Civil Aviation Safety
Authority (CASA) and National Operating Standards.
You’ll learn how to perform routine and emergency commercial pilot duties, including passenger, charter, and cargo operations. As a commercial helicopter 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 helicopter pilot.
LOCATION
Students will train at Helistar 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 and May 2025 (contact us for future dates)
DURATION: Minimum of 12 months.
WORKLOAD: Full-time, five (5) days per week
STUDY MODE: Classroom
FULL COST: Full fee $109,200*
*VET Student Loans available through TAFE Queensland (RTO 0275). See the payment options section below for more information.
HELISTAR’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.
Helistar and TAFE Queensland have entered a third-party training agreement to deliver the Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter) (AVI50322) 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 toward further
study.
Experienced Helistar 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 40 weeks, comprising of 16 units of competency and 105 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
| AVIE0006 | Maintain aircraft radio communications |
| AVIF0027 | Implement aviation fatigue risk management processes |
| AVIF0029 | Implement threat and error management strategies |
| AVIF0033 | Manage aircraft passengers and cargo |
| AVILIC0004 | Licence to operate a commercial helicopter |
| AVIO0017 | Manage disruptive behaviour and unlawful interference with aviation |
| AVIY0034 | Operate in controlled airspace |
| AVIY0035 | Operate in Class G airspace |
| AVIY0036 | Operate at non-towered aerodromes |
| AVIY0037 | Operate at a controlled aerodrome |
| AVIY0084 | Conduct helicopter pre-solo exercises |
| AVIY0085 | Control helicopter during advanced manoeuvres |
| AVIY0086 | Manage abnormal situations and emergencies – helicopter |
| AVIY0088 | Operate helicopter on solo navigation flights |
| AVIY0089 | Operate helicopter solo in the circuit area |
ELECTIVE UNIT
| AVIY0087 | Operate helicopter at low level |
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 105 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 past students
“Aerostar is more than a flying school, it’s a commercial operator, so I got to experience air transport and aerial work first-hand, which is extremely beneficial. My training was in a Robinson R44 helicopter, so I learnt in the aircraft that I will be working in once I graduate, making me job ready, which is a big advantage. If you were like me and thought it wouldn’t be possible to train for your Commercial Pilot Licence due to cost, time or current experience, then you need to contact Aerostar. It’ll be the best decision you’ll ever make!”