A Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) allows you to fly a Canadian registered aircraft for hire anywher in the world. A CPL will give you the knowledge and skills to safely operate a single engine, non-high performance aircraft for a commercial air service under visual flight rules (VFR).
Additional endorsements (see Ratings) allow you to fly seaplanes, multi-engine aircraft, instrument flight rules (IFR), high performance aircraft and flight instructor rating. Commercial pilots typically earn these rating over time. The order in which you acquire these ratings will depend on your chosen career path, be that a professional flight instructor, seaplane pilot, bush pilot, corporate pilot or airline pilot.
Prerequisites
A Canadian PPL is required to commence training towards the CPL. You may begin training at 17 but you must be a minimum of 18 years old to obtain this licence. A candidate for a CPL or higher must obtain a Category 1 Medical Certificate issued by Transport Canada prior to attempting the CPL written exam or flight test.
Ground School
Transport Canada requires a minimum 80 hours of recorded 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. Additional one-on-one ground briefings and assigned self-study homework will complete the remaining ground school hour requirements. More Information…
Flight Training
Flight training is conducted at your own pace based on your availability. The course itself includes 35 hours of dual flight instruction, plus 30 hours of solo flight training. The dual includes 5 hours night, 5 hours cross-country, and 20 hours of instrument training. The solo time must include a flight to a point at least 300 nautical miles from the departure airport, as well as 5 hours of night flying. To issue a licence, the candidate must have at total of 200 hours flight time, with at least 100 hours of Pilot-in-Command (PIC).
Exam Requirements
You will be required to demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge and skill through a flight test given by a Transport Canada examiner, or a person designated by Transport Canada. The flight test requirements and standards are specified in the Study & Reference Guide. An increased level of theoretical knowledge beyond that of a Private Pilot will be tested through a written examination administered by Transport Canada.
Prior to flight testing, you will be required to pass a 100 question, 3 hour multiple choice exam at a Transport Canada office by appointment only. 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 Category 1 Aviation Medical Certificate, complete a minimum of 100 hours flight time and be recommended by a flight instructor.
The flight test may be conducted once you have acquired a minimum of 150 hours flight time, passed the written exam and your instructor determines you have reached the knowledge and skill level required to successfully take the flight test. Glacier Air has a Pilot Examiner on staff so there is no need to go elsewher to complete your flight test.
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 mostly conducted on our well maintained Cessna 172 aircraft with one of our several highly experienced and friendly flight instructors. We also offer advanced training in our Cessna 206 and aerobatic training in our Super Decathlon tail wheel aircraft.
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, Glacier Air will be able to provide you with a TL11B Tuition Receipt for income tax purposes.
