CPL Completion

Arwyne · Post by **Arwyne** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 2:53 pm

I was just wondering how long it has taken people to complete their CPLs that are not doing a college program. I am taking my training part time at a flight school while working full time (non-aviation job) to support the training. I've been working at my CPL for over 2 years now and am starting to get discouraged about how long it is taking. I have the basic requirements, 200TT, 100 PIC etc. and am now just getting my flying up to the flight test standards. But this seems to be taking forever. I'd hoped to be finished in September but now since i can only fly on weekends i'm doubtful i will finish up this year. Is 2 years a reasonable amount of time to complete your CPL if you only work at it part time.

Slappy the Squirrel · Post by **Slappy the Squirrel** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 3:08 pm

I'd say take a couple weeks off work if you're able to, and get 'er done. It shouldn't take too long provided you work hard at it for a little bit. Weather's only gonna get worse once the winter starts!

Good Luck!

xsbank · Post by **xsbank** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 3:58 pm

Agreed, the slower you do it, the longer it will take to meet the flight test standard. Take a week or two off and finish it off. It will save your sanity and your wallet in the long run.

THEICEMAN · Post by **THEICEMAN** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 5:11 pm

Look...the CPL flight test is not that bad! Have you completed the theory?
Take a week off....fly every day and you will be ready!

I know people who did their CPL in 1 year, 3 years and 6 years! I'm finishing my commercial soon and I have multi-IFR. Taking me around 1&1/2 years.
Do you have Multi-IFR?

Don't just do it on weekends...flight at night also! Night dual & night PIC is what you will need!

Pilot_adam · Post by **Pilot_adam** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 9:16 pm

What flight school do you go to dude ?!!!

You got the basic hours required for a CPL license (the 35 hours dual) so I would imagine you are up to CPL standards, make sure no one is taking you for a ride and milking your wallet.

I would get a second opinion about my flying and possibly fly with a more experienced instructor.

Good luck.

Adam

Arwyne · Post by **Arwyne** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:45 am

thanks guys for the replies.
i'll see what i can do about getting time off and just getting er done.

canpilot · Post by **canpilot** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:24 pm

Arwyne!

PM me..i just finished my cpl.. Where abouts are ya? I encountered the milking problem trying to finish er off..Keep at er! take up a commercial pilot (Actually working) and he/ she might be able to help ya out..

Hell, if you are in CZBB..i'm willing to come up with ya

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:01 am

Here is the CPL Flight Test Guide:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/gener ... 2/menu.htm

You can either browse it online (html) or download the PDF so you can look at it offline with Acrobat. I think there's an RTF version as well.

Anyways, as others here have hinted, perhaps your instructor isn't quite focussed as well as he could be. Frankly the CPL flight test is no big deal.

Please, spend some time reading the Flight Test Guide. It is a contract between you and the DPE. You must be able to do everything in it, to the tolerances specified. The DPE is not allowed to make up new test items, or specify different tolerances.

The Flight Test Guide is really the "answers in the back of the book". Go through it and make a written list of exactly what you cannot do, and need to work on. I suspect you could even practice that stuff yourself.

If you really have all the required experience, unless you have some serious problems, in one weekend you should be able to sharpen up enough for the flight test.

Seriously consider another, more experienced flight instructor.

Years ago when I was CFI at one place, I got a student from a big school that was being screwed around. We did one flight, I recommended her for her private flight test, and she passed.

At that same school (before I was CFI) I remember a student that was going around and around the patch with a class 4, but just couldn't get the landing. And the number of hours the student had was really embarassing - something like 30 or 40 (pre-solo)! The student switched to a senior instructor, and was sent solo after two lessons.

It's possible your instructor is intentionally "milking" you, but more likely, he's just disorganized and inexperienced.

canpilot · Post by **canpilot** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:22 am

Also, remember that you have to complete ALL calculations Wt/ BAL, T.o landing, Vref, nav, log, maps (TOC/ TOD) , WX, NOTAMS, within 45 mintues! Make sure you can do this before ride. I did a few practice runs before hand to make things a little more expedient.

Also, take up a " safety pilot" have him or her watch the instruments and grill you on the things that sucked and offer up advice. My girlfriend/ a buddy with about 1,000 hours + did this with me and vise versa and it worked like a charm. Remember, the FTU works for you, you don't work for it!!!!!!!!!!!! Get that ride done! Similarly, if you think you are getting royally screwed get a buddy with lots of flying time, take him up and get an evaluation of your skills..

Also..like i said..PM or MSN me