What differentiates a CPL pilot from a PPL pilot?

“I actually feel like a qualified pilot now,” said a student that I recently congratulated for receiving his PPL

Planning and efficiency

In a commercial environment, the general objective is to get from point A to point B as quickly, comfortably and safely as possible. An efficient pilot should plan and anticipate what lies ahead, with a plan of action to suit. These considerations may include weather, wind (departure, en route and destination), clearances, fuel, traffic, diversions, what actions to take in the event of an in-flight emergency and more. Detailed planning is essential – both in-flight and pre-flight. This is particularly important when flying in marginal VFR weather or under the IFR, in conditions that may not allow you to break visual at or before the minima. Some other key considerations may include planning for stronger tailwinds and negotiating clearances with ATC to arrive quicker, if possible and safe to do so. The key is to stay organised and ‘ahead’, with a plan and a backup. Higher ground-speeds and shorter flight times mean lower running costs and happier customers, provided the aircraft is flown smoothly!

Passenger comfort and people skills

I can assure you that those light bumps you no longer notice in flight are noticed by your passengers. When carrying passengers, their comfort and well-being must be taken into consideration. All flying must be gentle, accurate and well thought-out. Turbulent conditions should be avoided where possible, by climbing, diverting or descending accordingly. To avoid descending rapidly (particularly if you’re in a non-pressurised aircraft), top of descents should be planned at comfortable rates to minimise the discomfort brought on by changes in air pressure. These are just a few examples that come to mind. On one occasion, I was conducting a scenic flight out of the Gold Coast and without realising, I reduced power slightly quicker than normal. The passenger in the front seat responded nervously, so I asked him if he was OK. He responded by saying “is the engine OK?” I made him feel at ease by demonstrating exactly what I was doing and why. We had built good rapport prior to entering the aircraft, so we shared a laugh together. He immediately relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the flight. However, I learnt an important lesson – every change is noticed by passengers. In a commercial environment, it’s wise to fly the plane like there’s a fragile sticker on it. Not only will the passengers appreciate it, but the pilot’s flying skills and ability to think ahead will improve substantially.

Knowledge and resourcefulness

A commercial pilot should have a deep understanding of their aircraft, environment and themselves. The more you know, the less time you’ll spend worrying about the unknown. It’s worth noting that a deep understanding of the aircraft isn’t limited to mechanical knowledge and airspeeds – it also applies to the avionics on board and having the dexterity to use it efficiently. This will substantially decrease in-flight workload and increase situational awareness. Sometimes, plans may change considerably, therefore it’s important to be knowledgeable and resourceful in all ways, in order to meet these demands. Remember, there’s no such thing as a perfect flight, so it’s worth taking the time to reflect after landing. This is a wise strategy for continuous improvement.

Each flight has its own unique challenges – some flights keep you on your toes, while other flights are as smooth as the landings students claim they did when they’re solo (we’ve all been there). In my opinion, this is what makes flying great – it never becomes monotonous. I also want to make special mention that holding a particular licence, doesn’t dictate an individual’s flying ability. There’s a plethora of highly experienced PPL holders who absolutely meet and exceed the points mentioned above, by light years! I’m merely pointing out the general progression that is expected from a flight training standpoint. Therefore, it’s safe to say that a commercial mindset can be applied to any flight by ensuring it’s well organised, safe, efficient, comfortable and the pilot receives a five-star customer review upon arrival!