Getting your private licence

Transport Canada requires a minimum of 45 hours flight training time. You can train on the Robinson R44 or Bell 206 Jet Ranger. The flight test takes approximately 2.0 hours in addition to the 45 hours of training time.

Beyond your flight training program, you will learn dispatching and flight following operations, fuelling from stationary tanks, bowsers and drums, ground handling techniques, hangar and apron etiquette, aircraft documents and maintenance requirements and so much more.

You will be provided with minimum 40 hours of ground school to help you pass the final licensing exam. One-on-one tutoring is available for students requesting private instruction for an additional fee. Ground school instructors use in-class and hands-on teaching techniques to cover the following topics:

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

Admittance Requirements

To be eligible for enrolment into the Private Helicopter Licence program, you must submit the following:

• Completed application form – request this from the Student Coordinator
• $500.00 application fee
• Suggested: Tour of Aviation Campus – come see our facilities, aircraft, meet our instructors, current students, and have all your questions answered. While you are here for your Campus Tour, we highly recommend booking an Introductory Flight with a flight instructor to try flying a helicopter for yourself! Talk to your Student Coordinator to find out more information and how to book

• Recommended secondary education – geography, math, physics, english

Licensing Eligibility

After being accepted into the program following the Admittance Requirements above, the student must meet the following requirements to be eligible for Private Licensing:

• 17 years of age or older
• Category Three Aviation Medical completed by a Certified Canadian Aviation Medical Examiner Approximate 2-month wait time to receive the certificate. Talk to your Student Coordinator for more information on how to book your appointment 2 months in advance before submitting your application

Program Requirements

After meeting the Licensing Eligibility above, the student must achieve the following requirements to successfully obtain their Commercial Helicopter Licence:

• Pass the PSTAR exam to hold a Student Pilot Permit – allows an unlicensed student to fly solo under training supervision
• Pass the Radio Licence verbal and written exams
• Pass the Transport Canada final written exam – PPHEL
• Pass the Transport Canada flight test – completed with a certified flight test examiner
• Meet the minimum 40 hours of ground school and 45 hours of flight training