Choosing between CAAS or FAA

When it comes to obtaining your Commercial Pilot License (CPL), the path you choose can greatly affect time, cost, and requirements. Let’s break down the differences between obtaining a CPL from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Total Cost (Approximate)

CAAS CPL training tends to be more structured, which can result in a more predictable cost. Average costs of a CAAS CPL range between $100,000 to $110,000 USD, including flight training, ground school, exams, and other associated fees.

FAA CPL training often offers more flexibility, allowing you to choose your training pace and providers. General Aviation is common in the US and hence the abundance of options. The cost varies significantly based on factors like location, flight hours required (your experience prior), and the flight school you choose.
On average, expect to pay between $45,000 to $50,000 USD, but this can vary widely.

Estimated Duration

The duration of CAAS CPL training varies, spanning from approximately nine months to fifteen months. Factors influencing this timeline include the flight school chosen and the aircraft’s availability (fleet size and types). Additionally, the CAAS-approved overseas flight schools with CAAS examiners might even prolong the training duration, often due to the influx of airline cadets. Intense competition for resources prompts these schools to prioritise cadets, as per their contractual obligations to airlines.

In the case of FAA CPL training, a timeframe of six to nine months is typical, especially for those beginning with no prior flight hours. The competitive environment among flight schools contributes to efficient access to aircraft, experienced instructors, and well-structured curricula. This competition ultimately benefits trainees by ensuring the quality of training remains high.

Flight Experience

See the table below for the flight experience requirements for CAAS CPL(A) IR and FAA CPL ME/IR Part 61. References are SASP Part 2 and FAR/AIM.

Besides the flight experience in terms of hours, there are also other requirements listed within the publications. They were intentionally left out to provide only the flight experience comparison.

  • CAA
  • Total Aeroplane Hours
  • Total PIC
  • Cross-Country PIC
  • Night PIC
  • Instrument Flying Hours
  • Multi-Engine PIC
  • CAAS CPL(A) IR
  • 200
  • 100
  • 50
  • 5
  • 40
  • NA
  • FAA CPL ME/IR Part 61
  • 250
  • 100
  • 50
  • 5
  • 40
  • 10
Conclusion

Choosing between CAAS and FAA comes down to cost, predictability, and flexibility. The CAAS route offers a more structured approach with higher costs, while the FAA path gives you more flexibility but with potential cost variations. Assess your budget, timeline, and training preferences to decide which option aligns better with your goals.

Our take is, FAA route wins because of the lower cost, predictable weather trends, valuable general aviation exposure, and better professional development from the exchanges during your flight training due to the commonality of aviation.

Contact us if you have any queries on how to get started or to understand how you can achieve an FAA licence with minimal cost and time. Reach via email / telegram. Find out more about our services here.