LICENSING · CPL
Saudi CPL — going professional.
What changes between PPL and CPL — extra hours, the night-flying minimum, the wider theoretical scope, the Class 1 medical, and what airline cadetships expect.
DRAFT: scaffolds[verify-required] — this guide is in scaffold form. The structure, FAQs, and JSON-LD are wired; the prose is intentionally short and the [VERIFY] markers flag any GACAR-specific numbers that need confirmation against gaca.gov.sa before publication.
The Saudi CPL is GACAR Part 61's professional pilot certificate. It demands a Class 1 medical, 200 hours integrated or 250 hours modular total flight time, night flying, and a deeper theoretical exam set. Most cadets pair it with a multi-engine and instrument rating immediately, since airline cadetships expect both.
رخصة CPL السعودية هي شهادة الطيار الاحترافي بموجب GACAR Part 61. تتطلّب فحصاً طبياً من الفئة الأولى، و٢٠٠ ساعة طيران ضمن مسار متكامل أو ٢٥٠ ساعة في المسار المُعدَّل، وطيراناً ليلياً، ومجموعة اختبارات نظرية أعمق. معظم الطيارين الواعدين يُلحقون بها صلاحية متعدد المحركات والآلي مباشرة، لأن برامج الكاديت في الناقلات تتوقّع كليهما.
Pre-requisites — what you need before starting CPL
- Hold a current PPL or be enrolled in an integrated ab-initio CPL programme.
- Class 1 aero-medical certificate from a GACA-approved AME — see the dedicated guide.
- ICAO Operational Level 4 English (Level 5 strongly preferred for cadetships).
- Minimum age: 18 at issue.
Flight time — integrated vs. modular
Two paths to CPL hours, both ICAO-aligned and both recognised by GACA. The integrated path is end-to-end at one ATO from zero hours to CPL/IR/MEP; the modular path lets you stack PPL → IR → CPL in stages, often at different schools.
| Element | Integrated | Modular |
|---|---|---|
| Total flight time | 200 h | 250 h |
| Pilot-in-command | ≥ 100 h | ≥ 100 h |
| Cross-country PIC | ≥ 20 h | ≥ 20 h |
| Night flight | ≥ 10 h | ≥ 10 h |
| Instrument time | ≥ 10 h [VERIFY exact split] | ≥ 10 h [VERIFY exact split] |
[VERIFY] confirm exact GACAR Part 61 sub-paragraph numbers and the integrated-vs-modular hour breakdowns. The numbers above match ICAO Annex 1 minima but Saudi-specific deltas should be checked at gaca.gov.sa.
The wider theoretical scope
CPL theoretical exams add to the PPL nine subjects. Expect deeper questions in flight performance, mass and balance, operational procedures, meteorology, and human performance — plus introductory subjects in air-transport economics and crew co-ordination concepts.
The CPL skills test
A CPL skills test is conducted by a GACA-authorised examiner on the class on which you trained. Areas of operation mirror PPL with tighter tolerances and an explicit commercial-handling section. A common pattern is to combine the CPL test with the IR test in a single multi-day examination block.
What airline cadetships expect
Saudia, flynas, flyadeal, and Riyadh Air all accept GACA CPL holders into ATPL line-training, but most run their own assessment battery first: aptitude tests, group exercises, and Level 5 ICAO English minimum. CPL on its own is the floor; what stands out is total time, multi-engine PIC, and demonstrable scenario decision-making.
Frequently asked
How many hours do I need for a Saudi CPL?
200 hours under an integrated ATPL programme, 250 hours under a modular path. Both routes include night, instrument, and cross-country sub-minima.
What medical do I need for a Saudi CPL?
A current Class 1 aero-medical certificate from a GACA-approved AME.
Does a Saudi CPL require a multi-engine rating?
No, the CPL is issued with the class rating you trained on. Multi-engine is a separate rating most cadets add immediately after CPL — airline cadetships almost always require it.
Will a foreign CPL be valid in Saudi Arabia?
A foreign ICAO Contracting State CPL is recognised for conversion to a GACA CPL through validation rather than direct issue. See the foreign-license conversion guide.