Training Programs - RECREATIONAL PILOT PERMIT

The Recreational Pilot Permit allows you to fly all single engine aircraft that are classified as non-high performance during daylight hours under Visual Flight Rules with a maximum 4 seats and up to one passenger. A Recreational Permit may be upgraded to a Private Licence which will allow you train for additional ratings.

The minimum training requirements are outlined below.

Training Overview

The Recreational Pilot Permit program is divided into two separate related paths, ground school and air instruction. Ground school will furnish you with the required background knowledge and understandings to successfully challenge the written examination, while the air instruction and solo practice will provide you with the skills required to succeed at the flight test.

Age

A minimum age of sixteen (16) years old is required for a Recreational Pilot Permit. However flight training can be started as early as fourteen (14) years of age, as that is the minimum age required to obtain a student pilot permit.

Medical Requirement

All pilots are required to have a Medical Certificate. There are four categories of medical certificates and the process of obtaining a certificate will differ depending on the category and your age. The minimum category required for the Recreational Pilot Permit is a Category 1, 3, or 4; however students seeking careers as Commercial Pilots should obtain a Category 1 Medical Certificate.

The Medical examination must be performed by a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner. The fee for the examination will vary with the individual examiner, but is usually between $90.00 and $150.00. This fee is not normally covered under any medical plans.

Ground School

Ground school is conducted in a classroom setting. The ground school classes are held on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7:00 PM until 9:30 PM.

• Theory of Flight
• Licensing Requirements
• Aerodynamics Airframes and Engines
• Systems and Flight Instruments
• Canadian Aviation Regulations
• Meteorology
• Human Factors
• Pilot Decision Making
• Flight Operations
• Navigation Radio and Electronic Theory

Ground school is not a requirement for the Permit however, it's recommended that you take ground school classes to help ensure that you posses at least the minimum knowledge to pass the written exam. Students can expect to receive approximately 85 hours of ground instruction. Ground school is 3 months in duration.

Knowledge

Students will be required to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the required subjects by obtaining a mark of no less than 60% on the written examination, Pilot Permit Recreational- Aerorplane or Private Pilot License - Aeroplane. The written examination is divided into four mandatory areas.

Air Law: regulations, rules and orders, air traffic services, practices and procedures, and licensing requirements

Navigation: navigation, radio aids and electronic theory

Meteorology: active weather and weather information

General Knowledge: airframes, engines and systems, theory of flight, flight instruments, flight operations and human factors The written examination is actually a computer based exam which is administered by Transport Canada. The questions are in a multiple choice format.

Experience

Air instruction is separated into dual instruction and solo practice. During dual instruction students will be introduced to new exercises and practice previous exercises. Once a level of skill and competence has been reached students will fly solo in the aircraft to practice the air exercises.

You must complete a minimum of 25 hours flight training of which shall include a minimum of;

1. 15 hours of dual flight instruction including a minimum of 2 hours cross country flight time
2. 5 hours solo flight time

The remainder of the time requirements will be made of dual and solo training and practice.

Transport Canada requires that a minimum of 25 hours of flight training be completed while on course however this course is designed on a more realistic expectation of training requirements.

Skill

Following the completion of your flight training you will be required to complete a flight test. The flight test is conducted by a flight test examiner in an aircraft. During the flight test you will be tested on your understanding of aircraft performance, aircraft systems, emergency procedures and navigational skills. Additionally your performance of the required air exercises will be tested to the standard outlined in the Flight Test Guide Recreational Pilot Permit Aeroplane.

Cost Estimate

Notes:

1. Aircraft rates are based on the C152 rates
2. Costs are based on a minimum of 25 hours training
3. Mandatory government taxes not included

Materials List

This program does not require approval by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. As such, the registrar did not review this program.