Commercial Pilot Ground School
From: $199.00 every 4 months
Other Canadian ground schools reuse their PPL videos for the CPL. We don’t. This is 80+ hours of purpose-built commercial pilot ground school, taught by active airline and commercial pilots who do this for a living. 7-day free trial with full access.
- ✅ Complete CPAER preparation with practice exams built from real student exam feedback
- ✅ Multi-Engine Ground School and Night Rating course included free
- ✅ Letter of Recommendation when you pass our practice exams
- ✅ T2202 tuition tax receipt for every student
Prerequisite: a Private Pilot Licence. Download the course syllabus
Description
Commercial Pilot Ground School Online: Built for the CPAER and for the Flight Deck
A CPL is more than a harder written exam. It is the start of your career. This course was built by active airline and commercial pilots to close the gap between theory and the flight deck, so you can make the jump from 200-hour pilot to the right seat of a turboprop, a flight instructor position or a jet first officer role with confidence.
You get over 80 hours of purpose-built commercial training: video lectures, presentations, quizzes and CPAER-style practice exams built from feedback from students who have written the real exam. The curriculum follows Transport Canada’s TP 12881 study and reference guide, and our Multi-Engine Ground School and Night Rating course are included at no extra charge.
On completion you receive an official ground school record, and when you pass our practice exams, a Letter of Recommendation to write the Transport Canada CPAER. A T2202 tuition receipt is issued to every student.
Prerequisite: a Private Pilot Licence, or be near the end of your PPL training.
Download the Course Outline (PDF)
Built by Airline Pilots. Structured Like Professional Training.
Other ground schools in Canada reuse their PPL videos for the CPL course. We don’t. Every lesson here was built for commercial pilots: understand the concept, apply it to real operations, then practise until exam questions feel routine.
The course was developed and is taught by an active Airbus A321 captain who is also a Class 1 flight instructor, the highest instructor rating in Canada. When you have a question, you get an answer from a working professional pilot, usually the same day.
Commercial flying demands more than exam knowledge, so we added the material that makes you employable: Threat and Error Management, CFIT avoidance and winter operations. None of it is on the CPAER. All of it comes up in your first job interview.
In-person CPL ground school typically costs $400 or more and runs on someone else’s timetable. This course starts at $199, includes a 7-day free trial, and runs on yours.
Everything on the CPAER, and What Comes After It
The CPAER covers four mandatory subject areas and you must score at least 60% in each. A weak area can fail you even with a strong overall mark, so this course is organized to make sure you have none.
Air Law and Procedures
Canadian Aviation Regulations for commercial operations, airspace, flight crew licensing, operational rules, and the procedures that separate commercial standards from private flying.
Navigation
Flight planning, radio navigation, chart work, and the practical navigation problems that appear on every CPAER sitting, taught with worked examples rather than theory alone.
Meteorology
Weather theory, METARs, TAFs, GFAs and upper-level charts, and the operational decision-making that weather knowledge exists to support.
Aeronautics: General Knowledge
Airframes, engines, systems, flight instruments, theory of flight and human factors, taught at commercial depth.
Included with your enrolment: the full Multi-Engine Ground School, the Night Rating course, and airline-style professional modules on Threat and Error Management, CFIT avoidance and winter operations.
Download the full Commercial Pilot Ground School syllabus (PDF)
Taught by Captain Daniel Gustin
Daniel is an active Airbus A321 captain, an ATPL holder and a Class 1 flight instructor with a Master of Education. He has trained pilots from first solo through to the airlines, has instructed on the Airbus A330, writes his airline’s crew resource management training, and appears as an aviation expert for national media and legal consulting.
When you enrol, he and the CFT instructor team are your learning support: real instructors answering real questions, usually the same day.
Rated 5.0 out of 5 by Verified Students
Great course. Thank you. I have passed my CPL with a 92%.
W.C., Burnaby BC. Verified purchase.
The ground school offers more instruction than the minimum. It included more in-depth areas of human factors and decision making. Daniel provided exceptional responses to any questions. I would highly recommend this course for anyone working on their CPL licence.
Luciano Nisi. Verified purchase.
Honestly one of the best ground school courses I have taken. Topics were explained very well in the videos, and not once did they become boring.
J.T., Qualicum BC. Verified purchase.
What’s Included
- 7-day free trial on student enrolment options
- 80+ hours of Transport Canada compliant ground instruction
- Video lectures, presentations and CPAER-style practice exams built from real student exam feedback
- Multi-Engine Ground School and Night Rating course included
- Threat and Error Management, CFIT avoidance and winter operations modules
- Letter of Recommendation when you pass our exams
- Official ground school record for Transport Canada
- Instructor support from real flight instructors and airline pilots
- T2202 tuition tax receipt
From $199. Pay every 4 months as you go, or enrol once for 9 or 12 months. Every student option starts with a 7-day free trial. The 4-month option is a recurring subscription that continues until cancelled, and one-month extensions are available if you need more time.
Commercial Pilot Ground School FAQ
Do I need my PPL before starting CPL ground school?
Not necessarily, but we strongly recommend that you have completed all of your PPL ground school and are near the end of your PPL flight training before starting. The CPL curriculum builds directly on private pilot knowledge, and you will get far more out of it with that foundation in place.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Our student enrolment options include a 7-day free trial, so you can work through real lessons before you are charged. The trial does not apply to enrolments through our partner flight schools, such as Durham Flight Centre or the Calgary Flying Club. Those enrolments connect you directly with your flight school so your instructors can follow your progress.
How hard is commercial pilot ground school?
The material is deeper than the PPL, but the curriculum design keeps it manageable. Students consistently tell us they never feel lost. They feel like they are learning something practical for their careers, which is exactly the point.
Is this course approved by Transport Canada?
Transport Canada does not approve ground schools. It sets the requirements. This course is built to meet the CPL ground school requirement of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (80 hours of ground instruction) and follows Transport Canada’s TP 12881 study and reference guide for the CPAER. On completion you receive an official ground school record.
What is the CPAER exam?
The CPAER (Commercial Pilot Licence, Aeroplane) is Transport Canada’s written examination for the commercial licence. It is a multiple-choice exam covering Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology and General Knowledge, and you must score at least 60% overall and 60% in each subject area. Our practice exams are built from feedback from students who have written the real thing.
How does the Letter of Recommendation work?
Transport Canada requires a Letter of Recommendation from your ground school before you can write the CPAER. We issue your Letter of Recommendation when you pass our course exams, in accordance with our policies, along with your official ground school record.
How long does it take to become a commercial pilot in Canada?
After your private pilot licence, a Canadian CPL can take as little as one year, or as long as you need. This ground school is self-paced, with enrolment options for fast finishers and for students spreading the work over 9 or 12 months.
How long do I have access to the course?
Choose the enrolment that fits your timeline: pay every 4 months as you go, or enrol once for 9 or 12 months. One-month student extensions are available if you need a little more time.
Can I claim this course on my taxes?
Yes. Canadian Flight Trainers is an ESDC-approved educational institution and issues T2202 tuition receipts for this course, which you can claim on your Canadian income tax return.
What is the refund policy?
Cancel during your 7-day free trial and pay nothing. After your payment method is charged, there are no refunds on course access. See the Terms and Conditions for full free-trial details.
Required and Recommended Materials
For all students
- Flying Beyond, 3rd Edition: the core commercial pilot reference text
- Transport Canada AIM: available free online from Transport Canada
- Definitions and Abbreviations (PDF)
Exam preparation
Great supplements (not mandatory)
If you are also doing IFR training during your CPL
All materials are available in our pilot shop and ship across Canada.
Your Commercial Licence Starts in the Ground School
80 hours, taught by an airline captain, on your schedule, with a 7-day free trial to see it for yourself.
Training with a partner school? Enrol through Durham Flight Centre or the Calgary Flying Club. Already flying commercially? Our CRM course meets the Transport Canada AC 700-042 standard.
Additional information
| Billing Option | Pay Every 4 Months with 7 Day Free Trial, Enrol Once for 9 Months with 7 Day Free Trial, Enrol Once for 12 Months with 7 Day Free Trial, Flight School Enrolment – 9 Months, Flight School Enrolment – 12 Months, Student Extension – 1 Month |
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24 reviews for Commercial Pilot Ground School
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
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Philippe Caron (verified owner) –
I really like the fact that it wasnt a text read of a power point, they were true experience, true emotion and real life concrete out of that. The youtube video where practical and really help me. I know that just with the video, I’ll need to continue study and will probably rewatch some video as I’m getting ready for my exam on Nov 25th 2026 (we are Nov 9th 2026). I truly enjoy watching and the way it was explain. I will give 5 stars, but I would give 4.5. The only thing, is sometimes I think he goes a bit fast on some subject, but it was a low minority of it
M.L. (verified owner) –
Overall well put together course. information is delivered clearly yet in an engaging fashion. would recommend both the ppl and cpl course
N.P – Calgary AB (verified owner) –
The course was very good. I’ve learned more then I thought I would
S.A – Calgary AB (verified owner) –
Overall great material very informative, the stories and experiences that Daniel shared throughout the course really helped to bridge the gap between theory and practicality. The course is organized well and easy to navigate, explanations are straightforward, all in all very good content.
T.J. – Vancouver BC (verified owner) –
Satisfied like I was with the PPL course I took with you guys. Maybe make the forums more visible.
J.T. – Qualicum, B.C (verified owner) –
Honestly one of the best ground school courses I have taken, topics were explained very well in the videos. Daniel did a really good job of making the videos more entertaining and not once did they become boring.
Luciano Nisi (verified owner) –
I completed the CPL Ground School, the ground school offers more
instruction than the minimum, it included more in-depth areas of human
factors, and decision making. There were plenty of practice exams, the
videos and expercises were easy to follow and use for review. Daniel,
the founder provided exceptional responses and assistance to any
questions relating to material of confusion of material. Being an
older CPL Student at age 58 I had to put in extra study time to retain
what I was learning. I would highly recommend this course for anyone
working on their CPL license. Thanks again 🙂
K.L. – Calgary AB (verified owner) –
This CPL course may be a little bit more than what we need for the written, but it’s good to know it all and not less. Keep it up everyone.
W.C. – Burnaby BC (verified owner) –
Great course. Thank you. I have passed my CPL with a 92%
O.L – Quebec (verified owner) –
Great course and Daniel is really a good teacher, he animates as much as he can boring subjects like air laws and makes it interesting to watch.
A.W. – Barrie, Ontario (verified owner) –
Had a great time working through the CPL ground school content.
I received help throughout this course and my PPL ground school course and it meant a lot.
Thank you for your patience with me.
A.P. (verified owner) –
This has been my favourite ground school to date. Daniel provides great lectures and the topics are very well presented.
I.V. – Burlington, ON (verified owner) –
Overall I have great feedback for the whole course. All the questions are relating to the presentations and are also challenging to prepare us for the exams to the best of our ability. I appreciate the easy communication throughout the course as well as the helpful tips along the way.
M.K. (verified owner) –
I have taken multiple types of courses I.e (Harvs, Sharpers edge books).
Personally I have felt more engaged by all of Daniels presentations and the way he conducts himself in them. The knowledge that I have gotten from the course was not overwhelming but felt like it was essential. The quizzes and questions make you think about more than just the basic knowledge, and how you’d actually act in those possible situations. Highly would recommend to anyone taking their CPAER.
E.R. – PPL and CPL Grad (verified owner) –
Really good courses, completed both PPL and CPL and have recommended CFT to multiple people. Tests and quizzes do a really good job making you think and apply the learned information, on top of preparing you for the wording and style of Transport questions.
Ashwin (verified owner) –
The course itself made the exam look fairly easy and wasn’t all that difficult Thank you for helping me achieve this milestone. Appreciate all the help and support.
T.B. (verified owner) –
Great course, loved it, and found the responsiveness of the instructors to be the real highlight…I work at my club as a dispatcher and would (and have!) recommended it whole-heratedly.
James Beswitherick (verified owner) –
I have had a great experience taking this ground school course! I found it to be a great learning experience.
Gurvinder S (verified owner) –
Really enjoying the course. Keep up the good work. Wish CFT provided INRAT and IATRA.
K.N (verified owner) –
Thank you guys for a great course; I’m very pleased with my CPAER grade! You should really consider creating an INRAT ground school, I’m sure that it would be terrific as well.
Patricia W (verified owner) –
I appreciate the straight forward support from the instructors. They’ve looked out for me more than anyone else during my training so far.
dany101flight69 (verified owner) –
overall, i am satisfied with them the instructor daniel is very good in explaining he even went the extra mile when i didn’t understand something they are also easy to reach so if you ever have question they will most likely answer same day and the videos are very good quality and you can go at your own pace no complains ! will definitely recommend ppl and cpl student to take their course here also the way the course is presented its building you to be a commercial pilot standard compared than a private … subscribe def
and happy flying for everyone
Ben V Jr. (verified owner) –
incredible course and very well made for the commercial pilot. finals exams were pretty close to the real thing with transport.
yowpirate (verified owner) –
I really like the different approach the instructors take to being a Commercial pilot compared to a Private. Great instructor support when I needed it. Exams are spot on with TC.