Have you always dreamed of becoming a pilot? Interested in studying Aviation in Canada? Well, If you’re a calm person who enjoys responsibility, technology, has leadership skills and wishes to soar high into the sky, becoming a pilot is the perfect career path for you. And Canada is the perfect destination for you to make your dreams come true! Read more about becoming a pilot in Canada and how to study aviation in Canada through this full guide article.
Advantages of studying aviation in Canada
- Canada has excellent Training Schools and Facilities with modern air traffic control systems.
- The Canadian Aviation License is one of the world’s most widely recognized as ICAO Pilot Licences.
- Competitive tuition fees: the Canadian Dollar is lower, which makes Canada cheaper by around 30% in comparison to other destinations to study aviation.
- Highly experienced flight instructors with knowledge of the real-world applications and extensive experience in the world of business.
- Canada is well known for being the nation of aviation. With the second-highest pilot population in the world at more than 70,000 pilots.
- Pilots are eligible to earn a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) upon completing their flight training.
- Canada is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. Therefore, it provides a welcoming environment for international students to study aviation in Canada.
Requirements to study aviation in Canada
There are several aviation training programs and licenses for international students in Canada such as:
- Private Pilot License (PPL).
- a Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
- Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL).
For each one, licenses are issued in Canada, and requirements are different. However, all programs options somehow have the same basic requirements to study aviation in Canada as the following:
- Age requirements: you need to be at least 17 years old to start your pilot training in Canada.
- Secure a medical certificate: It is important to attend the tests to check your hearing, eyesight, coordination, and overall health. ATPL and CPL will require you to have Category 1 medical certification, while PPL may obtain Category 3 medical certification.
- Diploma: Have a high school certificate as minimum educational requirements.
- English language proficiency certificate (TOEFL/IELTS…).
How to get a pilot license in Canada?
Becoming a pilot in Canada is not easy at all. However, high job satisfaction are definitely worth your time and money. Here are the steps needed to study aviation in Canada and get your Canadian pilot license as an international student:
1. Introductory Training Flight:
By booking an introductory training flight, you will get the chance to have a basic understanding of airplanes and the aircraft’s flight controls and instruments. Moreover, you can meet your instructor and have your first experience so you can tell if it’s right for you.
2. Check your flight training options in Canada
Once you make your decision to start your flight training in Canada, it’s time to find the perfect place to do so. But wait a second! What are your goals of becoming a pilot?
If you would like to get a Private Pilot License (PPL) or a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), then you can check flight schools in Canada. Each flight school has its own requirements and different pilot training programs that you can choose from.
However, if you would like to work as an airline pilot, you might consider getting an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). While, by joining an aviation-related college, you can get a college degree with flight training and a pilot licence.
3. Flight School Requirements:
Check with your Canadian flight school requirements. Especially, the English language proficiency and the medical certificate. After sending your application to a flight school in Canada, it might take up to 3 months to get your acceptance letter.
4. Complete flying hours requirements:
This is going to be your practical experience. You must complete:
- A minimum of 45 hours of flight training from a certified flight instructor, for the Private Pilot License (PPL).
- Minimum of 200 hours flight time in aeroplanes, for the Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
- A minimum of 1500 hours total flight time of which a minimum of 900 hours shall have been completed in aeroplanes, for the Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL).
5. Take the written exam
You will need to pass the Transport Canada Written Examination for a Private Pilot license with a minimum score of 60%.
6. Complete a flight test:
You will have to successfully pass a flight test for the private pilot license.
7. Pass a language assessment:
You need to have the required language proficiency to pass the oral evaluations. Which includes: speaking and listening skills, and the ability to understand voice-only messages and to respond to them.
8. Receive your license:
You can obtain the Canadian private pilot’s license after successfully passing all the steps mentioned.
What is the cost of studying aviation in Canada?
The cost of studying aviation programs in Canada can range in price from $5,000 to more than $20,000 a year, depending on the flight training program, school and location.
Aviation degree programs are often more expensive than diploma/certificate programs. For example, a commercial pilot training can cost up to $14,000 CAD. Whereas, a private pilot license can cost around $10,000 CAD including the flight hours.
The cost to study aviation in Canada is more affordable in comparison with the USA. However, both have some of the greatest aviation schools. that prepare students from zero experience to a full ICAO (FAA) Airline Transport Pilot License and gain a lot of valuable flight time.
Read more Aviation studies in the USA
Aviation schools to become a pilot in Canada
There are more than 150 flight training schools in Canada. In other words, you have many options to study aviation in Canada. Here are some aviation colleges and universities in Canada for international students:
- The British Columbia Institute of Technology.
- Insignia College.
- University of Waterloo.
- University of Fraser Valley.
- Western University.
- Sault College.
- Seneca College.
- Confederation College.
- Moncton Flight College.
- Fanshawe College.
- Georgian College.
Check aslo: Foundation Year in Spain – how To Study in Spanish Universities?
Aviation courses in British Columbia in Canada
British Columbia is considered one of the best places to study aviation in Canada and to get flight training as it has the perfect terrain and weather conditions.
British Columbia has many certified pilots who work for major commercial airlines. There are many aviation programs for international students in which you can choose the one that suits your goal.
1. Private Pilot License (PPL)
A private pilot license in Canada allows you to fly almost anywhere by registered aircraft. You can have a personal flight with passengers but it does not permit you to fly professionally. In order to do that, you will have to pursue a commercial pilot license.
2. Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
Commercial Pilot License in Canada allows you to become a paid professional pilot. You must have a Class 1 Medical Certificate, complete 80 hours of private pilot ground school instruction, and obtain at least 200 hours of flying time.
3. Commercial Pilot Aviation Diploma (CPAD)
The Pilot Commercial Aviation License provides a solid grounding in the principles of civil aviation. By joining this program, you will obtain both a Private Pilot License and a commercial pilot license in Canada.
You will first complete the written and practical test for a private pilot while also doing your commercial pilot assessments and training.
4. Recreational Pilot Permit (RPP)
There are fewer requirements than private pilot licenses, more restrictions and half of both cost and time. It requires 40 hours of ground school and 25 flying training.
A recreational pilot permit allows you only to fly all single-engine aircraft during daylight hours under the Visible Flight Rules with no more than one passenger.
You will always be able to continue your study of aviation in Canada and upgrade your license to a private pilot license for additional advantages.
Check: How much does it cost to study in California?
Cost of studying aviation in British Columbia
If you would like to study aviation in British Columbia, Canada, the Commercial Pilot license package will cost you $40,356 for 200 flight hours for both commercial and private license training. However, if you choose the package of Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with Engine Instrument Rating, the cost will go higher at $ 45,205 for 220 flight hours.
Moreover, the Commercial Pilot Aviation Diploma package for 200 hours is $45,205 yearly including ground school and flight training. Additionally, the yearly accommodation cost approximately will cost between $9,600 – $14,400 depending on the locality.
Can you work in Canada as a pilot after graduation?
If international students completed all flight training (PPL, CPL, IFR, instructor rating), they can have a great chance to work and live in Canada as a pilot after graduation.
As a legitimate length of flight training studies in Canada, the course must last at least two years. Work permits are not granted to international students who have completed less than eight months of flight training.
Therefore, the student must have finished a flight training course at a Canadian training center and have earned a Canadian commercial pilot’s license. He/she also possesses an instructor’s rating and a job offer from a flying school or processing to do so.
If your application is successful, you will have an open work permit in Canada as a pilot for three years. Later on, you can apply for permanent residence in Canada.
Aviation career opportunities in Canada
There are many career oppurtunities for pilots in Canada. What you can do with a pilot license in Canada:
- Airline pilot for large airlines or smaller regional ones.
- Corporate or business aviation pilot.
- Cargo pilot.
- Charter / Air taxi pilot.
- Flight instructor.
- Medical/ Air ambulance pilot.
- Agricultural pilot.
- and many more options.
On top of that, pilots’ salaries at Air Canada can range from $28,156 – $505,027 per year.
How can I get admission to flight school in Canada?
Getting admission in a flight school in Canada is easier than what you think! We at Golden Gate can guide and help you with all application processes. You are a few steps away from becoming a successful pilot in Canada, get in touch with us today!
Still have doubts? Fill up the request form and one of our academic consultants will contact you as soon as possible!
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