Flight Training

Private Pilot Licence

Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) - Study and Reference Guide
Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) - Flight Test Guide

If flying is your passion then the Private Pilot License is for you! This enables you to carry as many passengers as the airplane can handle and it allows to add ratings like Night, Instrument, Multi-Engine and more! Also, if you are pursuing a flying career this is your starting point.

The minimum* requirements to obtain your Private Pilot License are:

• You must be 17 years old at time of application, however training can begin prior.
• Hold a valid Category 1 or 3 Medical Certificate.
• Complete 40 hours of Ground School.
• Pass a Transport Canada written examination (PPAER) with a minimum overall 60% mark as well as 60% minimum on each subject area.
• Complete the minimum flight training requirements which are:
  • Minimum 45 hours towards your private pilot flight training which include:
    • Minimum of 17 hours with your instructor with 3 hours of Cross-Country and 5 hours of instrument flying.
    • Minimum of 12 hours solo including 5 hours Cross-Country of a minimum of 150 Nautical Miles with 2 stops away from base.
• Complete your Private Pilot Flight Test.

Please contact us regarding our rates and any other questions you may have.

*These are Transport Canada minimum requirements only, however actual times on average are higher due to the many variables that should be considered in flight training, some examples are individual’s ability and commitment level, weather, incidentals, etc.

Commercial Pilot Licence

Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) - Study and Reference Guide
Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) - Flight Test Guide

When your need to fly is more than just a pastime and you long for the skies, than you know that a flying career is the right path for you! It began with Private Pilot License and now it is time to practice and perfect your skills to become a professional in your craft. 

The minimum*1 requirements to obtain your Commercial Pilot License are:

• You must be 18 years old at time of application.
• Hold a valid Category 1 Medical Certificate.
• Complete 80 hours of Ground School.
• Pass a Transport Canada written examination (CPAER) with a minimum overall 60% mark as well as 60% minimum on each subject area.
• Complete the minimum flight training requirements that include:
  • 65 hours of commercial training after your PPL including:
    • Minimum 35 hours with your instructor including:
      • Minimum 5 hours of Night Training with 2 hours of Cross-Country.
      • Minimum 5 Hours of Cross-Country. *2
      • Minimum of 20 hours of Instrument training. *3
    • Minimum 30 hours solo training that should include:
      • Minimum of 25 hours improving you flying skills.
      • Complete a 300 Nautical Mile Cross-Country with 3 stops away from your home airport.
      • Minimum of 5 hours Night focusing on takeoffs and landings.
    • Complete your Commercial Pilot Flight Test.

Please contact us regarding our rates and any other questions you may have.

*1 These are Transport Canada minimum requirements only, however actual times on average are higher due to the many variables that should be considered in flight training, some examples are individual’s ability and commitment level, weather, incidentals, etc. *2 These hours could include the 2 hours of night cross-country time. *3 if available a maximum of 10 hours of the 20 Instrument training can be done in a TC approved Flight Training Device. 

Night Rating and VFR Over-the-Top Rating

One of the privileges of having your Private Pilot License is the ability to add Ratings that will expand your flying enjoyment and gives you a more complete experience and increasing your overall competence and safety. The Night Rating gives you flexibility to fly even after the sunset, while the VFR Over-the-Top allows for flight above a cloud ceiling, while following prescribed legal weather minimums.

The minimum* requirements for each Rating is as follows:

Night Rating

• Hold a valid Private Pilot License.
• Complete a minimum*1 of 20 hours of night flight training which will include: 
  • 10 hours of flight time including:
    • 5 hours dual including 2 hours of Cross-Country time.
    • 5 hours of solo including 10 takeoffs and landings. 
  • 10 hours of dual instrument training time.
• Complete a qualifying dual flight.

VFR Over-the-Top Rating

• Obtain the knowledge requirements pertaining to the VFR OTT rating
• Minimum of 15 hours of instrument training, which can include the PPL and night instrument training time.

Please contact us regarding our rates and any other questions you may have.

*These are Transport Canada minimum requirements only, however actual times on average are higher due to the many variables that should be considered in flight training, some examples are individual’s ability and commitment level, weather, incidentals, etc.

Confined Area Mountain Training

Whether you are a pilot interested in exploring the backcountry or want to be prepared for natures unexpected challenges this training is for you. 

Equipping yourself with the necessary skills and tools is crucial when flying in mountainous areas. In this course, you will receive comprehensive training preparing you for the challenges of confined area mountain flying. 

The course is divided into three modules:

1. Advanced stick and rudder training                       

2. Unusual attitude and upset training

3. Confined area mountain training:

The training can be experienced in any aircraft, including your own and each module is self-contained and builds upon the previous one. By the end of module two, you will be prepared to handle confined area mountain training, culminating all the skills you have learned in this program.

PPL Ground School

Ground School is an integral part of your flight training, you will be learning essential knowledge that will not only assist you on passing your Transport Canada written exams, but to give you more of the “how’s” and the “why’s”, while also teaching you practical applications for you every day flying. Transport Canada requires a minimum of 40 hours of PPL ground school training towards a Private Pilot License (PPL); and though there is no minimum requirements of ground school time for the Recreational Pilot Permit (RPP), you will benefit tremendously from the ground school classes.

Our PPL Ground School covers the following*1: 

1. TC Licensing requirements
2. Human Factors
3. Airframes and Engines
4. Theory of Flight
5. Flight instruments
6. Air law (CAR’s)
7. Flight Operations
8. Meteorology
9. Navigation
10. Radio Navigation

Our PPL Ground School classes will be held at our location inside Chilliwack Airport’s main terminal once a week from 06:30 – 09:30pm and run for 16 consecutive weeks with a final written examination on the last week, which upon successful completion a Letter of Recommendation is given, required to be presented to Transport Canada for the PPAER written examination. 

The PPL Ground School program is $500+taxes, including 45 hours of classroom time, which is more than the minimum required from Transport Canada towards the Private Pilot License.

The Ground School Kit*2 will have all the material that you’ll need and we encourage you to purchase it in advance to become familiar with your manuals and tools to be used and be ready to maximize your time in class. 

*1 The classes are designed to assist you in your study of the material required and every effort is made to cover as much as possible, however it is ultimately the responsibility of the trainee to study the entire material listed in the TC Study Reference Guides; a link for each of these study guides can be found on our website under each flight training program and on the “Resources” tab.

*2 Ground School Kit are sold separately and are available at Chilliwack Flight Centre, please contact us for details and pricing. 

Pilot Training Resources

Transport Canada Guides

• Recreational Pilot Permit - Study and Reference Guide
• Recreational Pilot Permit - Flight Test Guide
• Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) - Study and Reference Guide
• Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) - Flight Test Guide
• Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) - Study and Reference Guide
• Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) - Flight Test Guide

NAV Canada Weather

• AWWS
• Collaborative Flight Planning Services