How do I get started?

Taking an introductory flight is a recommended first step. Please book online here.   You can call or email us at 519-648-2213 or info@wwfc.ca

Do I need to complete ground school before starting my flight training?

No, you can start flying before, during or after the ground school session.

What’s next after I register for PPL ground school?

You will receive an email shortly after registering to get set up for flying lessons.

What do I need for the course?

You will need to purchase a ground school kit for the course, which you can do in advance or on the first night of the session. Link to the contents of the kit and cost.

Do I need to have a medical to take ground school?

No. You only need to have the medical at the time you are ready for your first solo flight.

Please note the following: If you are not a Canadian citizen and/or did not graduate from an English/French speaking high school in Canada, then prior to flying at WWFC you will need to obtain a medical and have an aviation language proficiency test completed.

Step 1: You will need to book an appointment with an aviation medical examiner. Find an aviation medical examiner in Canada.

The cost for the medical can vary from each doctor. It can take Transport Canada 6-8 weeks to process a medical, it is recommended to call around for the earliest available examiner.

Step 2: Once you receive the medical in the mail from Transport Canada, you will need to book the language test. It can take Transport Canada 6-8 weeks to process a medical. The cost of the language test is $100.00** (subject to change) Please contact us so we can set up a time for your test and enrollment paperwork. You will need to bring in a valid passport or birth certificate plus 1 other piece of photo ID and your medical.

**Please note there are a few different types of medicals, if you are only interested in pursuing your PPL then a Category 3 medical is sufficient. If you plan to pursue a Commercial licence, it is suggested to obtain a Category 1 medical right off the bat. Medical certificates must be renewed and validity dates are based on medical type and age. Visit the Transport Canada website for more information.

Here is a helpful tip for you to consider, since it can take awhile for the class 3 or 1 medical to come to you in the mail. You may want to self declare and request a category 4 medical from your family doctor or the civil aviation medical examiner.  The only requirement needed to obtain this level of medical certification is a form of self declaration, similar to that of a driver’s licence. The benefit to you is that this category 4 medical will validate your student pilot permit and allow you to fly solo before the actual category 3 or 1 medical arrives in the mail. It can be frustrating if the student is ready to go solo but cannot do so because we are waiting for the medical of to come in the mail. Be sure to ask your medical professional if they will charge you a fee for any of these services.  Most civil aviation medical examiners charge at least $150 for the category 1 or 3 medical.

What if I miss a ground school class?

You will be required to make up the class(es) you missed in the following session or make it up one on one with your instructor at the posted rated for instructor time. Please ensure you sign the attendance sheet every class or you will not be given credit for attending.

How long does it take to complete a Private Licence?

There is no set time as it depends on how often you fly, your budget, and your dedication to learning.  You can complete it in as little as a few months if you fly full time approx. 5 times per week, 6 months if you fly approx. 3-4 times per week, and 1 year if you fly 1-2 times per week.  The most successful students tend to show up early and prepared for lessons, fly often, and dedicate their time to learning new skills and reviewing training materials.

What is the average amount of flight time to expect for the Private Licence?

Transport Canada’s minimum requirement for the Private Licence is 45 hours. The average amount of flight hours a student takes to obtain the licence is anywhere between 65 – 85 hours.  Please understand that rates of learning vary between students.  We cannot predict exactly if or when you will achieve certain course benchmarks.

Please view this page for a cost estimate and choose Private Pilot Licence information and pricing.

What is Preparatory Ground Instruction (PGI) and do I need it?

Preparatory ground instruction is different than ground school and you should anticipate having a short classroom briefing from your instructor before most flights. During a PGI you should anticipate that you will learn the motivation, theory, and practical steps required to complete the mission or exercises for the training flight.  The time required for the PGI tends to vary based on the complexity of the exercises being covered and the preparedness of the student.

To be most successful, students should read and review the appropriate chapters in the Flight Training Manual (or other materials assigned) and ask questions before flying with the instructor. Your instructor will ask you various questions prior to the flight to ensure that your understanding is sufficient for the flight. Be aware that some students require more preparatory ground instruction than others and know that some students who do not demonstrate that they are prepared for the appropriate flight exercises will be denied the opportunity to fly. To be successful, prepare for the PGIs beforehand and participate in the learning experience with your instructor.

What is a Student Pilot Permit?

As a new pilot, you will be issued a student pilot permit after you successfully complete Pre-Solo Test of Air Regulations (P-STAR) test.   Similar to a driver’s licence, you will need to carry the student pilot permit with you when flying solo.  When you complete the requirements for the PPL and the appropriate documents are validated, your new licence will replace the student pilot permit.  Your instructor will help you if you have questions related to the student pilot permit.

Helpful Links

• Radio Operators Licence Study Guide. You will need to obtain a radio licence before you fly solo. This exam is given in ground school and there is a fee for processing.
• NavCanada and other aviation stakeholders published a helpful reference to help pilots at all stages with their radio communications. The VFR Phraseology Guide is here.
• Pre-Solo Test of Air Regulations (PSTAR) study guide. To obtain your Student Pilot permit you are required to pass the PSTAR exam. This exam is given in ground school and there is an additional fee to process the permit.
• A PPL Written Exam Sample is located here if you are wondering about the type of testing you will need to undergo.

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:

• 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)

Prerequisites

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

To achieve your Night Rating you must:

• 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

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 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)

Prerequisites

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

To achieve your cross country and time building you must:

• 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

Prerequisites

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

To achieve your multi-engine rating you must:

• 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

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:

• 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)

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:

• 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*