Cobalt Aviation

The PPL is the most commonly sought after licence; it’s the one that most people mean when they say that they want to get their pilot’s licence. Offering more versatility than the RPP, the training for the PPL includes Instrument Training and Navigation training, with the syllabus containing a whole unit on cross-country flying, taking you to locations such as Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Boundary Bay, Sechelt-Gibsons, Nanaimo, and Victoria.

When completed, the PPL allows you to act as Pilot in Command during day VFR (Visual Flight Rules) of any single-engine, non-high performance aeroplane. The PPL allows you to add ratings onto it as well, such as a Night Rating, or a VFR Over the Top Rating.

PREREQUISITES FOR ENROLLMENT

In order to begin training for the Private Pilot Licence, you must be at least 14 years of age; however, you must be at least 17 years of age in order to receive the Licence. You must also hold a valid Category 3 Medical Certificate or higher (talk to your family doctor, visit Transport Canada’s website and search for Canadian Aviation Medical Examiners [CAMEs], or come talk to us).

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

KNOWLEDGE

You will complete the 40 hour Private Pilot ground school. The ground school provides instruction on the following subjects: (1) Canadian Aviation Regulations, (2) Aerodynamics and Theory of Flight, (3) Meteorology, (4) Airframes, Engines, and Systems, (5) Flight Instruments, (6) Radio and Electronic Theory, (7) Navigation, (8) Flight Operations, (9) Licensing Requirements, and (10) Human Factors, including pilot decision-making.

As well, you must pass the Transport Canada administered written examination for the Private Pilot licence-Aeroplane (PPAER), as outlined in the Study and Reference Guide-Private Pilot Licence-Aeroplane (TP 12880E).

EXPERIENCE

There is a minimum of 45 hours of pilot flight training in aeroplanes. This shall include a minimum of 17 hours of dual flight instruction, of which a minimum of 3 hours shall be cross-country time, and 5 hours shall be instrument time.

As well, there is a minimum of 12 hours of solo flight time. This shall include a minimum of 5 hours cross-country time. The applicant must also complete a solo cross-country flight of a minimum of 150 nautical miles which shall include 2 full-stop landings at points other than the point of departure.

SKILL

Within the 12 months preceding the date of application for the licence, an applicant shall successfully complete a flight test to the standard outlined in the Flight Test Guide-Private Pilot Licence-Aeroplane (TP 13723E).

COSTS
Transport Canada Minimums

Ground School Tuition $300
Ground School Kit1 $250
17 Hours Dual (@$175/hr) $2975
28 Hours Solo (@$130/hr) $3640
Ground Briefings (10 hrs @ $45/hr)  $450
Flight Test (Examiner fee + 1.5 hrs. @ $130/hr) 3 $395
Medical Exam Fee4 $150
Transport Canada Fees5 $250
Total (without taxes) $8410

Realistic

Ground School Tuition $300
Ground School Kit1 $250
45 Hours Dual (@$175/hr) $7875
15 Hours Solo (@$130/hr) $1950
Ground Briefings (20 hrs. @ $45/hr)  2 $900
Flight Test (Examiner fee + 1.5 hr @ $130/hr) 3 $395
Medical Exam Fee4 $150
Transport Canada Fees5 $250
Total (without taxes) $12,070

( all fees are subject to change. Please verify before commitment)

1 The Ground School Kit contains all of the books, maps, and supplies necessary to complete the permit. No other purchases are necessary, unless new maps are issued in the middle of your training.

2 This is an estimate. For every dual flight there is about 30 minutes of briefing time. Each dual flight is approximately one hour. For example, with 45 hours of dual there are approximately 45 dual flights; therefore, there is about 22.5 hours of briefing (one half-hour for each dual flight).

3 Different examiners charge different fees. Transport Canada examiners charge $200, other Private Examiners may charge a different amount. As well, 1.5 hours for the flight test is an estimate.

4 Different Civil Aviation Medical Examiners (CAMEs) charge different fees. This is the fee that one particular CAME charges; you can shop around for lower prices if you choose.

5 This includes the fees payable to Transport Canada for: writing the written exam ($105), issuing the licence ($55), and processing of the Medical Certificate ($55).

FEE SCHEDULE

The costs listed above constitute a significant investment; however, the good news is that it is not all payable at the same time. The very first fee that you will pay is for you medical exam—talk to you Canadian Aviation Medical Examiner about this. Although we do not require you to have your medical exam before you start your training, we strongly recommend it.

Your initial cost to start your training with us is $550. This covers your ground school kit and ground shcool and PSTAR test.  After this, the dual flight training, solo flight training, and ground briefings can be paid for on either a pay-as-you-go basis, or you can put money on your account with us and costs will be deducted from your account as they arise. You will also need to enroll in ground school at some point (we strongly recommend doing it concurrently with your flight training); the cost is $550. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Debit, and Cash.

The Transport Canada fees are payable to the Receiver General of Canada and are due at the obvious times; for example, the fee for writing the written exam is due when you go to the Transport Canada office to write the exam.

STARTING

Once you’ve decided that the PPL is right for you, come on in to our hangar and talk to us. If you’ve never been in a small aeroplane before, we can set you up with an Introductory Flight for $50; this is a familiarization flight where you get to sit in the pilot’s seat and handle the controls. We recommend the Introductory Flight for people who have never been in a small aeroplane before so that you can experience the feel of flight and decide whether you like it before you invest your money.

If you decide to start your training, you can purchase your ground school kit and book your first lesson with us (unless you’ve taken an Introductory Flight, in which case it would be your second lesson). This lesson will be longer than the rest as we explain how everything operates and discuss the training program in more detail.