Pilot licensing in Canada

Pilot licensing in Canada is governed by Transport Canada in accordance with the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs). Licencing 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 15 hours of flight (10 Dual, 5 Solo)
- Must complete at least 2 hours of cross country flight time (Included in total 15 hour requirement)
- 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 an aircraft with up to four seats (as endorsed on the licence)
- May carry a maximum of one passenger (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
- Only applicable additional rating is floats

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 Valid 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 900 min in aeroplanes:
  - 250hrs PIC (may include 100hrs co-pilot as PIC undersupervision)
  - 100 hours PIC Cross-country
  - 100 hours Night
  - 25 PIC Cross-country Night
  - 200 hours cross-country flight time as a co-pilot in a two-crew aircraft or an additional 100hrs PIC Cross-country
  - 75 hours instrument flight time (25 max in sim, 35max in Helicopters)
- 70% pass mark on SAMRA ,SARON and INRAT written exams from 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 links

Canadian Aviation Regulations governing licensing and training

Personnel Licensing FAQ Transport Canada CanadaPilot Transport Canada pilot written test preparation