Pilot licensing in Canada is governed by Transport Canada in accordance with the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs). Licensing is divided into two types of qualifications: licences and ratings. A licence is broadest, authorizing a person to act as pilot in command (PIC) of a class of aircraft for one of three purposes (private use, commercial use, and air transport). Ratings permit a pilot to undertake flight in certain conditions or with special privileges, and may be attached to many different licences.
Recreational Pilot Permit
A Recreational Pilot Permit is a newer licence designed to make flying more accessible. As such it has fewer requirements regarding hours and experience, health, and age; however it carries a number of restrictions which make it significantly less desirable than a Private Pilot's Licence.
- Requirements
- 16 years old at time of licence completion
- Must obtain a Category 4, 3 or 1 Medical Certificate
- Complete a minimum of 25 hours of flight
- Successfully complete a flight test to the
- Successfully pass a written exam with Transport Canada
- Privileges and restrictions upon completion
- May act as pilot-in-command of an aircraft with up to four seats (as endorsed on the licence)
- May carry a maximum of one passenger (as per aircraft limitations, subject to currency requirements)
- May not fly for hire (including carriage of passengers or cargo)
- Limited to day, VFR flight conditions
- Limited to flight in Canada
Private Pilots Licence
A Private Pilot Licence (single engine land non-high performance aeroplanes) is the most commonly held licence in Canada. No other licences are required as a prerequisite so a Private Licence is the first licence most pilots acquire. It is also a prerequisite for upgrading to a Commercial licence or attaching any ratings to one's licence. There are equivalent Private Pilots Licences for helicopters and other aircraft with different requirements but similar privileges.
- Requirements
- 17 years of age at time of licence completion
- Must obtain a category 3 or 1 medical certificate
- Completed a minimum of 40 hours of ground school on specified topics
- Completed 45 hours of flight training including all designated exercises
- Successfully pass a written exam with Transport Canada (PPAER - pass mark 60%)
- Successfully complete a flight test to the standard outlined in the Flight Test Guide
- Privileges and restrictions upon completion
- May act as pilot-in-command of any aircraft (as endorsed on the licence)
- May carry passengers (as per aircraft limitations, subject to currency requirements)
- May not fly for hire (including carriage of passengers or cargo)
- Limited to day, VFR flight conditions
- May obtain Night, Instrument, Float, Multi-engine, and Over-the-top ratings
Commercial Pilot Licence
A Commercial Pilot Licence is required before any pilot can fly for hire in Canada. Once a pilot holds a Commercial Licence, he may work for an accredited aviation carrier flying limited amounts of cargo or passengers. Appropriate ratings are still required if the pilot wishes to fly/work at night, under instrument conditions, on floats or as an instructor. There are equivalent Commercial Licences for helicopters and other aircraft with different requirements but similar privileges.
- Requirements (single engine land non-high performance aeroplanes)
- 18 years old at time of licence completion
- Must hold a minimum of a Private Pilot Licence to start training
- Must obtain a Category 1 Medical Certificate
- Complete an additional 40 hours of ground school
- Complete a grand total of 200 hours of flight time including 100 hours as pilot-in-command
- Successfully complete a flight test to the standard outlined in the Flight Test Guide
- Successfully pass a written exam with Transport Canada
- Privileges and restrictions upon completion
- May act as pilot-in-command of any aircraft (as endorsed on the licence)
- May carry passengers (as per aircraft limitations, subject to currency requirements)
- May fly for hire (as per CARs requirements)
- May fly VFR OTT
Air Transport Pilot Licence
An Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) is the highest licence available in Canada. It authorizes a pilot to fly two-crew (or more) aircraft carrying large amounts of passengers or cargo.
- Requirements (single engine land non-high performance aeroplanes)
- 21 years old at time of licence completion
- Must hold a minimum of a Commercial Pilot Licence and Instrument, Night, and Multi-engine Ratings to start training
- Must obtain a Category 1 Medical Certificate
- Complete a grand total of 1500 hours of flight time including 625 hours as PIC including:
- 100 hours night flight time as PIC
- 200 hours cross-country flight time as a co-pilot in a two-crew aircraft
- 75 hours instrument flight time
- Successfully complete a flight test to the standard outlined in the Flight Test Guide
- Successfully pass a written exam with Transport Canada
- Privileges and restrictions upon completion
- May act as pilot-in-command or co-pilot of any two-crew aircraft (as endorsed on the licence) while engaged in providing a commercial air service.
- May carry passengers (as per aircraft limitations, subject to currency requirements)
Ratings
- Night Rating May act as pilot-in-command of an aircraft at night.
- VFR Over-the-Top Rating May operate an aircraft above and between cloud layers as per CARs 602.116
- Seaplane Rating May act as pilot-in-command of seaplane
- Multi-Engine Rating May act as pilot-in-command of a multi-engine aircraft
- Instrument Rating May operate an aircraft under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
- Instructor Rating May conduct dual flight instruction in respect of the issuance of a pilot permit, available in 5 classes with varying requirements and privileges accorded to each.
- Aerobatic Rating May carry passengers while performing aerobatic manoeuvres (as per aircraft limitations, and CARs)
External Link