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A Private Pilot Licence (PPL) allows you to fly a single engine, non-high performance aircraft with passengers. Through the PPL course, you will gain the knowledge and skills to safely operate an airplane under day visual flight rules (VFR). The PPL allows you to fly a Canadian registered aircraft anywher in the world, with no seating or passenger limitations. You can also add endorsements (see Ratings) to fly at night, VFR-OTT, seaplanes, multi-engine aircraft, high performance aircraft and under instrument flight rules (IFR).
Prerequisites
You may begin flight training at any age, but must be at least 14 years of age to fly solo and 17 to receive a PPL. The licence requires you to have a Category 3 Medical Certificate issued by Transport Canada. A certified Aviation Medical Examiner will ensure medical fitness. Although you don’t need a medical to begin training, you must have one prior to solo flight so it is a good idea to schedule your medical exam as soon as possible.
Here are three local doctors who are certified to conduct aviation medical exams:
Squamish: Dr. Stevenson, 604-892-5526
Whistler: Dr. Burgess, 604-932-3977
North Vancouver: Dr. Schwartz, 604-985-1717
A complete list of aviation doctors can be found on the Transport Canada web page.
Ground School
Transport Canada requires a minimum 40 hours of ground school. Glacier Air holds ground school classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. There are three sessions held per year and each session lasts approximately 12 weeks. once you have registered for ground school you may sit in on any future ground school classes at no additional charge. More Information…
Flight Training
Flight training is conducted at your own pace based on your availability. The training consists of a minimum of 45 hours of in-flight training, including both dual instruction and solo time. The national average is over 80 hours flight time to complete the PPL training, but most Glacier Air students will complete the flight training within 50-60 hours. Training for a PPL is typically completed within 6-12 months based on a moderate time commitment from the student. Like any education process, this program requires a considerable dedication of time for ground school, flight lessons and self-study. Expect to spend as much time studying at home as you spend at the flight school in order to keep on top of the information you are learning. By the end, you will appreciate your efforts and will be rewarded with a Private Pilot Licence.
Exam Requirements
You will be required to complete a few exams in order to obtain your PPL. Prior to your first solo flight in addition to your medical, you will need to complete the PSTAR air regulation exam, Radiotelephone Operator’s Restricted Certificate and the Aviation Language Proficiency Test. Prior to licensing, you will be required to pass a Transport Canada written exam, a 100 question, 3 hour multiple choice exam which can be written at Glacier Air. The passing grade is 60% overall with a minimum of 60% in each of the four subject areas. Generally this exam is written after ground school is completed and you have successfully completed several practice exams. To be eligible for this exam you must hold a valid aviation medical certificate, complete a minimum of 10 hours flight time and be recommended by a flight instructor.
Finally, you must complete a practical flight test. The flight test is conducted once the flight training requirements have been completed and your instructor determines you have reached the knowledge and skill level required to successfully take the flight test.
Glacier Air is an authorized examination centre and has a Pilot Examiner on staff so there is no need to go elsewher to complete any of the required examinations.
Training Facilities
Glacier Air offers professional flight training services in a fun and relaxed environment. Ground school is conducted in our multi-media equipped classroom and the course is based on a Power Point presentation, but also includes other visual demonstrations, videos and hands-on experiences presented by our knowledgeable and enthusiastic instructors. In addition to our classroom, Glacier Air has a private briefing/exam room, pilot lounge, tour office with a large sundeck and a large hangar to keep all our aircraft safe and protected from the environment.
Flight training is conducted in our well maintained Cessna 172 aircraft, with one of our several highly experienced and friendly flight instructors. We also offer advanced and aerobatic training in our Super Decathlon tail wheel aircraft and our Cessna 206.
Glacier Air is registered with the Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA) and is the only full service flight school in the Sea to Sky region. This means, should you choose to continue training towards your Commercial Pilot Licence, upon completion of your RPP and PPL training, Glacier Air will be able to provide you with a TL11B Tuition Receipt for income tax purposes.