The Private Pilot License (PPL) is the foundational pilot license in Canada.  It is recognized internationally, and as such allows you to fly both inside and outside of Canada.  

With a Private Pilot License, you can fly any single engine airplane and take multiple passengers along with you.  This license also allows for the addition of several ratings, such as a multi-engine or night rating (see our ratings page for more info), and will be the first license you obtain along the path to become a Commercial Pilot if that is your goal.  

The main restriction of the Private Pilot License is that you cannot fly for hire.

  REQUIREMENTS

• Age

  • 14 years to fly solo

  • 17 years for licensing

• Medical Fitness

  • Category 1 or 3 Medical Certificate

• Knowledge

  • Minimum of 90% on the Pre-Solo Test of Air Regulations (PSTAR) Exam

  • Minimum of 40 hours of Ground School covering:

    • Canadian Aviation Regulations

    • Aerodynamics and Theory of Flight

    • Meteorology (Weather)

    • Airframes, Engines and Systems

    • Flight Instruments

    • Radio and Electronic Theory

    • Navigation

    • Flight Operations

    • Licensing Requirements

    • Human Factors, including pilot decision-making

  • Minimum of 60% on the Private Pilot License - Aeroplane (PPAER) Exam

• Experience

  • Minimum of 45 hours total flight training time including a minimum of:

    • 17 hours dual flight time (with an instructor), including: 

      • a minimum 3 hour cross-country flight

      • a minimum of 5 hours instrument time

    • 12 hours solo flight time, including:

      • 5 hours of cross-country flight of a minimum of 150 nautical miles with 2 full stop landings

• Skill

  • Successful completion of a flight test

• More Information

  • Private Pilot License Study and Reference Guide

  • Private Pilot License Flight Test Guide

The Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is the foundational license you will require if your goal is to fly for hire.  It is recognized internationally, and as such allows you to fly in Canada and around the world.  

This license includes the Night and VFR Over the Top Rating, and allows for the addition of several other ratings, such as a multi-engine or instrument rating (see our ratings page for more info).

  REQUIREMENTS

• Prerequisite

  • A Private Pilot License

• Age

  • 18 years for licensing

• Medical Fitness

  • Category 1 Medical Certificate

• Knowledge

  • Minimum of 80 hours of Commercial Pilot Ground School covering:

    • Canadian Aviation Regulations

    • Aerodynamics and Theory of Flight

    • Meteorology (Weather)

    • Airframes, Engines and Systems

    • Flight Instruments

    • Radio and Electronic Theory

    • Navigation

    • Flight Operations

    • Licensing Requirements

    • Human Factors, including pilot decision-making

  • Minimum of 60% on the Commercial Pilot License - Aeroplane (CPAER) Exam

• Experience

  • Minimum of 200 hours total flight training time including a minimum of:

    • 100 hours pilot-in-command flight time, including: 

      • a minimum 20 hours pilot-in-command cross-country flight time

    • Following the issuance of a Private Pilot License, the candidate must have completed:

      • 65 hours of commercial pilot flight training including a minimum of:

        • 35 hours dual instruction, including:

          • 5 hours of night flying, including 2 hours of cross-country flight time

          • 5 hours of cross-country flight time

          • 20 hours of instrument flight time

        • 20 hours solo practice flight time including:

          • 25 hours solo, including a cross-country flight of a minimum of 300 nautical miles and a minimum of 3 landings at other airports

          • 5 hours solo flight time at night with a minimum of 10 takeoffs and landings

• Skill

  • Successful completion of a flight test

• More Information

  • Commercial Pilot License Study and Reference Guide

  • Commercial Pilot License Flight Test Guide