FLIGHT TRAINING
Content
Freelance Pilot Training
Training Costs
How to Get Started
International Students
Accessing Private or Rented Training Aircraft
Training during the Covid 19 Pandemic
Preparatory Ground Instruction
Preflight and Post-flight Debriefings
Training Flights and Air Instruction
Crew Temperature Checks
Recreational Pilot Permit
Private Pilot Licence
Night Flying Rating
VFR OTT Rating
Commercial Pilot Licence
Multi-engine Class Rating
Instrument Rating
Flight Instructor Rating
Aviation Diploma and Degree Programs
Freelance Pilot Training
Paceline Pilot Training provides a web-based platform for freelance pilot training provided by a group of associated freelance instructors based at Langley Airport. In accordance with Section 406.03 (2) of the Canadian Aviation Regulations, freelance pilot training means the flight training is conducted in aircraft owned or rented by student pilots.
The regulations are different for Initial and Advanced pilot training.
Initial Pilot Training
Initial pilot training refers to training for either the Private Pilot Licence. The Private Pilot Licence is where you start and is in fact the prerequisite for the Commercial Pilot Licence—you cannot begin your Commercial Pilot Licence until you have completed your Private Pilot Licence.
Private Pilot students can only use aircraft that they own—ether as sole owner, or as an owner of a share in a partnership, or they can be a family relative of an owner (CAR 406.01 (2)(b)(i). The student's name, or the name of the relative, must appear on the aircraft's certificate of registration. Often, students undergoing Private Pilot training purchase a share in an aircraft, use the aircraft for training and time-building, and then sell their share to the next student ready to begin freelance training. More often, however, students retain their interest in the aircraft until their advanced pilot training is also completed. We maintain a record of local aircraft ownership opportunities, and we can make this available to you.
Advanced Pilot Training
Advanced pilot training refers to training for the Commercial Pilot Licence, the Flight Instructor Rating, the Instrument Rating, or the Multi-engine Class Rating. To begin these courses, you must already be a qualified Private Pilot, but now you can take advantage of aircraft rental services. So advanced freelance pilot training can be conduced in either an aircraft that you own (the same you used for you Private Pilot training, for example), or aircraft that you rent from local aircraft rental companies (CAR 406.01 [2][b][ii]). We also can make recommendations on quality rental aircraft that can be used for training.
For additional information on Aircraft Access Opportunities, see our dedicated page.
Training Costs
Training costs vary with skill and experience, so the exact cost of training for a pilot licence or rating cannot be predicted in advanced.
All Instructional fees are based on the rate of $60 per hour for training conducted out of Langley Airport and Pitt Meadows Airport. Owing to increase transportation costs, instructional fees are $70 per hour for training flights departing from Boundary Bay and Abbotsford Airports, and $80 per hour for training flights departing from Chilliwack Airport. All training fees are also subject to GST (5%).
Please not that the costs quoted below are based on the Langley/Pitt Meadows rates.
How to Get Started
Simple! Contact us for information regarding your proposed training and we'll will outline the training process typically associated with you level of training. This can be done in person, over the phone, or via Zoom.
International Students
Because the individual licences and ratings can be completed with 6 months, students from overseas are in fact able to conduct freelance pilot training without a Study Permit. For more information, review the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship website.
Training during the Covid 19 Pandemic
Freelance pilot training is one-on-one instruction, so control measures are reasonably straight forward. Here are the procedures in place for Covid protection, as of May 15th:
Preparatory Ground Instruction
In advance of each training flight, a ground briefing is completed to review what will be learned in the planned training flight. Referred to as Preparatory Ground Instruction (PGI), these sessions typically last between 20 and 45 minutes and are actually one-on-one classroom instruction. For the remainder of the active Covid period, all PGIs will be conducted via Zoom, so you will simply require access to video internet communication. You will be sent a link for the meeting and joining will be automatic.
Zoom will be the primary medium of training for Flight Instructor Students during their initial Preparatory Ground Instruction phase, which will cover approximately first 15 hours of the ground requirements for the Flight Instructor Rating.
Preflight and Post-flight Debriefings
Preflight and post-flight debriefings will be conducted on the ramp near the aircraft (weather permitted) or in a sheltered outdoor areas near the aircraft. The preflight briefing occurs just before engine start for a training flight, and reviews the what, where, and how concerning the proposed air exercises. The post-flight debriefing is a review of flight just completed, and reviews the good elements, the areas for improvement (and how to improve them), and the planned activity for the next flight (and direction on student preparation. These briefings typically last 10 to 20 minutes.
Training Flights and Air Instruction
All touch-points inside the cockpit (including flight, radio, and avionics controls), and outside on the aircraft (contact points for refueling, adding oil, and the inspection of airframe items such as control surfaces, hatches, doors, engine compartment and landing gear, etc.) will be sterilized using a isopropanol solution. This will occur before and after flights. The sterilization procedures will be established for each aircraft prior to the first training flight.
Inside the cockpit and outside the cockpit where social distance cannot be maintained, the crew (instructor and student) will where face masks and eye covering (sunglasses). Gloves will also be worn.
Registering as a Student
When you wish to begin training, you will be as to complete the following registration form below. We will they contact you and review your aircraft and training options.
Flight Training Registration Form
Crew Temperature Checks
Crew temperatures will be taken and recorded prior to commencing in-person training.
Recreational Pilot Permit
Privileges
Recreational Pilots are licensed to fly any single-engine, four-seat aircraft (including ultra-light) during the day in Canada. They are restricted to one passenger.
Recreational Pilots can fly ultralight aircraft.
Transport Canada Requirements
The minimum age for this permit is 16 years.
The holder of a Recreation Pilot Permit must hold a valid Category 4 Medical Certificate or higher.
Training for this permit must be conducted as per Transport Canada requirements.
The applicant must have completed a minimum of 40 hours groundschool on subjects specified by Transport Canada.
The applicant must obtain a minimum 60% on the Transport Canada examination (Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, and Aeronautics-General Knowledge).
The applicant must have completed a minimum of 25 hours flight training in the aircraft category (aeroplane, gyroplane, and helicopter), including no less than 15 hours dual with a flight instructor and 5 hours solo.
Of the 15 hours of dual instruction, 2 hours must be cross-country time.
Successful completion of a flight test is required.
Costs
Private Pilot Licence
Privileges
Private Pilots receive a blanket aircraft type rating for “all single pilot, non-high performance single engine land aeroplanes”; however, they can fly any aeroplane outside the "blanket" restriction—including jet aircraft—provided they have received an Individual Aircraft Type Rating for the aircraft flown, which may require additional ratings, examinations, and Pilot Proficiency Checks (flight tests).
Private Pilots are not restricted with respect to passengers, and their licence meets international ICAO standards. They can fly ultralight aircraft provided they received additonal ultralight training.
Transport Canada Requirements
The minimum age for this licence is 17 years.The applicant must hold a valid Category 1 or 3 Medical Certificate.
Training for the licence must be conducted as per Transport Canada requirements.The applicant must have completed a minimum of 40 hours Groundschool on subjects specified by Transport Canada.
60% on the Transport Canada examination is required (Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, and Aeronautics-General Knowledge).
The applicant must have completed a minimum of 45 hours flight training in the aircraft category (aeroplane, gyroplane, and helicopter), including no less than 17 hours dual (logged with a flight instructor) and 12 hours solo.
Of the 17 hours of dual instruction, 3 hours must be cross-country, and 5 hours must be instrument time (reference only to flight instruments).
Of the 12 hours solo practice, 5 hours must be a cross-country trip with a triangular flight not less than 150 nautical miles, including 2 full-stop landings.
Successful completion of a flight test is required.
Costs
Night Flying Rating
Privileges
The holder of a licence endorsed with a Night Rating may exercise the privileges of the Private Pilot licence in Night VFR conditions.
Transport Canada Requirements
The applicant must have completed a minimum of 10 hours night-flight experience, including no less than 5 hours dual instruction (which must include a 2-hour cross-country), and 5 hours solo flight time, which must include 10 takeoffs and landings.
The applicant must have acquired a total of 10 hours dual instrument time.
Costs
VFR Over-the-top Rating
Privileges
The holder of a licence endorsed with a VFR Over-the-Top (VFR OTT) Rating may exercise the privileges of the licence while flying VFR above a cloud ceiling.
Transport Canada Requirements
The applicant must have acquired a total of 15 hours dual instrument time.
Costs
The above cost estimate assumes possession of Private Pilot Licence and Night Flying Rating.
Commercial Pilot Licence
Privileges
The holder of a Commercial Pilot Licence may exercise the privileges of Pilot-in-command of any aircraft engaged in a commercial air service where the aircraft minimum flight crew document requires a minimum flight crew of one pilot—i.e., an air taxi operation—or the privileges of Co-pilot of any aircraft type that is endorsed on his or her licence.
Transport Canada Requirements
The minimum age for this licence is 18 years.
The applicant must have a valid Category 1 Medical Certificate.
Training must have been conducted as per Transport Canada requirements.
The applicant must have completed a minimum of 80 hours Groundschool on subjects specified by Transport Canada.
The applicant must obtain a minimum of 60% on the Transport Canada examination (Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, Aeronautics-General Knowledge).
The applicant must have a minimum of 200 hours flight time experience, including 100 hours of Pilot-in-command, and 20 hours of cross-country Pilot-in-command.
The applicant must have completed a total minimum 65 hours flight training (subsequent to training for the Private Pilot Licence) in the aircraft category aeroplane, gyroplane, or helicopter), including no less than 35 dual with a flight instructor, and 30 hours solo practice (subsequent to Private Pilot Training).
Of the 35 hours of dual flight, 5 must be night (including a 2-hour night cross-country), 5 must be cross-country (of which 2 hours may be the night cross-country requirements), and 20 hours must be instrument time (reference only to flight instruments).
Of the 30 hours solo flight time emphasizing improvement in flying skills, there must be a cross-country flight to a point not less than 300 nautical miles from the point of departure, with 3 full-stop landings. The 30 solo hours must also include 5 hours by night and completion of 10 circuits.
The licence requires the successful completion of flight test.
Costs
The above cost estimate assumes possession of Private Pilot Licence and Night Flying Rating.
Multi-engine Class Rating
Privileges
The holder of a licence endorsed with a Multi-engine Rating may exercise the privileges of the licence in aircraft equipped with two or more engines.
Transport Canada Requirements
This rating does not require the completion of a specified number of training hours.
The applicant must successfully complete a flight test.
Costs
Instrument Rating
Privileges
The holder of a licence endorsed with an Instrument Rating may exercise the privileges of the licence in IFR conditions—i.e., “instrument flight rules,” which is when the pilot can fly in cloud without visual reference to the ground.
Transport Canada Requirements
The applicant must obtain 70% on Transport Canada examination, which assesses knowledge of Air Regulations, Instrument Flight Rules and Procedures, Meteorology, Instruments, Radio and Radar Systems, and Navigation.
The applicant must have 50 hours cross-country experience.
The applicant must have accumulated 40 hours instrument training time, including a cross-country flight in actual or simulated IFR conditions of not less than 100 nautical miles, and including instrument approaches to specified approach altitude minima at two locations.
Successful completion of a flight test is required for this rating.
Costs
Flight Instructor Rating
Privileges
A Class 4 Flight Instructor may, under supervision, conduct dual flight instruction toward the issue of a Recreational Pilot Permit, a Private Pilot License, a Commercial Pilot License, and Night Flying Rating, and a VFR Over-the-top Rating. Flight instructors may also authorize student pilot training flights, and recommend students for flight tests.
Transport Canada Requirements
The applicant must complete a minimum of 30 hours dual flight instruction on overall pilot proficiency and the presentation of air exercises in accordance with Transport Canada standards.
The applicant must also complete 25 hours of Instructor Rating groundschool on subjects specified by Transport Canada.
Successful completion of a flight test is required for this rating.
Costs
Aviation Diploma and Degree Programs
These programs are delivered in conjunction with the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) and provide full professional pilot qualification from Paceline Pilot Training, simultaneously with post-secondary qualification in Aviation Business—either the 2-year Diploma, or the 4-year Degree provided by the UFV School of Business.
In either the 2-year Diploma, or the 4-year Degree Programs at UFV, 15 credits can be applied for the completion of the Private Pilot's Licence, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot's Licence, and the Multi-Engine Class Rating or the Flight Instructor Rating.
The great advantage of the UFV programs is that the sequence of training is flexible—students have the option of completing their pilot credentials early so that they can actually work part-time as Flight Instructors while they complete their UFV course work.
Detailed descriptions of the entrance requirements for UFV are linked as follows: