What is the Modular Approach?

The modular approach is for students who would consider themselves to be highly motivated, self starters looking to work on their licences and ratings at their own pace. The modular approach is the traditional pathway to becoming a pilot and has been for decades. The approach consists of a four to seven module process that takes students from aspiring pilot to commercial pilot.

Approach Overview

The modular approach is separated into 4/7 modules. Certain modules contain distinct ground and flight training objectives organized to present material in a logical sequence and to maximize the effective use of time. Students follow the typical progression of professional flight training at Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC):

Mandatory

1. Private Pilot Licence
2. Night Rating
3. Cross-Country Experience/Time Building
4. Commercial Pilot Licence

Optional

5. Multi-Engine Rating
6. Instrument Rating
7. Flight Instructor Rating

Training Outline

Private Pilot Licence

Prerequisites:

• Minimum 17 years of age (14 for first solo)
• Valid Category 1 or 3 Medical Certificate (CAT 1 is recommended if you’re pursuing a CPL)

To achieve your PPL you must have:

• Completed a minimum of 45 hours total flight time, (of which a maximum of five hours may be completed in an approved flight-training device), with:
  • 17 hours dual instruction flight time, including three hours of cross-country flight time and five hours of instrument time (three hours may be approved simulator ground time)
    • 12 hours solo flight time, including five hours of cross-country flight time, including a flight of a minimum of 150 nautical miles which shall include two full stop landings at points other than the point of departure
  • Successfully completed a flight test to the standard outlined in the Flight Test Standards – Private Licence – Aeroplane (TP13723E)
  • Completed a minimum of 40 hours private pilot airplane ground school instruction including mandatory subject areas
  • Obtained a minimum of 60% on the written examination for Private Pilot Licence – Aeroplane (PPAER)

Night Rating

Prerequisites:

• Valid Private Pilot Licence
• Valid Category 1 or 3 Medical Certificate

To achieve your Night Rating you must have:

• a minimum of 20 hours pilot flight time in airplanes, including:
  • 10 hours of night flight time including a minimum of:
    • 5 hours dual flight time, including 2 hours of cross-country flight time
    • 5 hours solo flight time, including 10 takeoffs, circuits and landings
    • 10 hours dual instrument time
    • Credit for a maximum of 5 hours of the 10 hours of dual instrument may be given for instrument ground time, provided that the total instrument time shall be in addition to the 10 hours night flight time in sub-paragraph above
• and have displayed satisfactory knowledge to your instructor

Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)

Prerequisites:

• Minimum 18 years of age upon completion
• Valid Private Pilot Licence – Aeroplane
• Valid Category 1 Medical Certificate
• Completed Private Career College Admission Application (PCC#105919)

To achieve your CPL you must have:

• have completed a minimum of 200 hours total flight time in airplanes, including a minimum of 100 hours pilot-in-command time, with 20 hours cross-country pilot-in-command time, including:
  • 35 hours post-private dual instruction time and 30 hours post-private solo flight time
• successfully completed a flight test to the standard outlined in the Flight Test Standard – Commercial Licence – Aeroplane
• successfully completed a minimum of 80 hours of Commercial Pilot – Aeroplane ground school instruction
• obtained a minimum of 60% on the written examination for Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane (CPAER)

Cross Country and Time Building

Prerequisites

• Valid PPL or CPL
• Valid Category 1 or 3 Medical Certificate

To achieve your cross country and time building you must have:

• Completed sufficient flight time to meet the requirements of the program (see table)
  • There is no Transport Canada Study and Reference Guide for this course, as there is also no written exam
  • Your instructor will provide reading assignments to prepare you
• Time building you need to be at 135 hours of total flight time, out of which 70 hours must be Pilot in Command (PIC) time

Multi Engine Rating

Prerequisites

• Valid PPL or CPL
• Valid Category 1 or 3 Medical Certificate

To achieve your multi-engine rating you must have:

• Completed sufficient dual instruction to meet the flight test standards
• Successfully complete a flight test to the standard outlined in the Flight Test Standards – Multi-Engine Rating – Aeroplane (TP219)
  • There is no Transport Canada Study and Reference Guide for this course, as there is also no written exam
  • Knowledge of multi-engine theory and practical application of performance charts will be tested during the flight test.
  • Your instructor will provide reading assignments to prepare you

Instrument Rating

Prerequisites

• Valid PPL or CPL
• Valid, appropriate Medical Certificate
• For Group 1 Instrument Rating – multi-engine rating

To achieve your Group 1 or Group 3 Instrument Rating you must have:

• completed a minimum of 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot-in-command in airplanes
• 40 hours instrument time of which a maximum of 20 hours may be instrument ground time, including:
  • One dual cross-country flight under simulated or actual IMC conditions to a point a minimum of 100 nautical miles radius from the point of departure
    • The flight is to be conducted in accordance with an IFR flight plan and must include, at two different locations, an instrument approach to minima
  • successfully completed a flight test to the standard outlined in the Flight Test Standard – Instrument Rating (TP9939E)
  • obtained a minimum of 70% on the written examination for Instrument Rating (INRAT). (Ground school is not required, but is highly recommended)

Flight Instructor Rating

Prerequisites

• Valid CPL or ATPL
• Valid Category 1 Medical Certificate
• Completed Private Career College Admission Application (PCC#105919)

To achieve your Flight Instructor Rating (Class 4) you must have:

• completed 30 hours dual instruction, including 5 hours in the teaching of instrument flying skills
• successfully completed a flight test to the standard outlined in the Flight Test Standard – Instructor Rating (TP 5537E)
• completed 25 hours of ground school including mandatory subject areas
• obtained a minimum of 70% on the written examination (AIRAF)

*Instrument rating PIC time may be incorporated with CPL time if done concurrently*

In order to start your journey into aviation, please fill out the WWFC application in the link below and we will contact you for an interview to discuss the program and ensure that it meets your goals and expectations. International students are recommended to start their visa/study permit application at least four months before the start date to allow time for it to be approved. A $100 application fee is required to process your application and a conditional letter of acceptance. Another deposit (refundable) is on final unconditional admission to the program.