This is the most common type of licence is in general aviation. Unlike the Recreational Pilot Permit, it allows the successful candiate to carry more than one passenger. Qualified private pilots are able to take friends or family members for short excursions and frequently engage in a flying vacation. So if you enjoy a little adventure such as a ballgame in New York or a sunset tour over Niagara Falls, this is indeed the licence for you. Many Recreational Pilot Permit holders move on to complete their Private Pilot Licence since they have already achieved many of the prerequisites required for this qualification.

The prerequisites for a private pilot's licence as prescribed by Transport Canada are as follows:

• Applicant may commence Flight Training at any age, but must be 16 years of age prior to their first solo and 17 years of age prior to the issue of a Private Pilot Licence.
• Applicants must be a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant or a person lawfully admitted into Canada for flight training.
• Prior to the “first solo”, the applicant must complete a Category 1 or 3 Aviation Medical Examination by a Transport Canada approved Aviation Medical Examiner. (Ask staff for a list of Aviation Medical Examiners)

Training requirements for this licence are as follows:

Ground School

A minimum of 40 hours ground instruction is required. The private pilot ground school course is normally held on Wednesday evenings for 3 hours from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Please check with our staff however to confirm course availability and timings.

Flight Training

A minimum of forty five (45) hours consisting of:

• 17 Hours dual (with instructor); and
• 12 Hours Solo

Note :

These flight training times are based on Transport Canada minimums and more training may be required.

Graduation Requirements

• The applicant must obtain a minimum of 60% on all four sections of the Transport Canada written examination Private Pilot Aero plane (PPAER).
• The applicant must pass a practical flight test conducted by a Transport Canada Designated Flight Test Examiner.
• The applicant must satisfy all training criteria as outlined in the Canadian Aviaition Regulations (CARS). Graduation Privilages of the Recreational Permit Holder The Private Pilot Licence entitles the holder to fly any single-engine non-high performance aircraft during daylight hours under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). This licence allows for additional endorsements such as instrument, night, floats and multi-engine.

You can download a printer-friendly version by clicking here.