Build knowledge, confidence and sound decision-making through structured ground and flight instruction.
| Program | Key eligibility | Minimum training | Completion requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational Pilot Permit — Aeroplane | Minimum age 16 at issuance; Category 4 medical or higher | 25 flight hours minimum, including at least 15 dual and 5 solo; ground-school and knowledge preparation | Required written examination and flight test; pre-solo requirements must be completed before solo flight |
| Private Pilot Licence — Aeroplane | Minimum age 17 at issuance; Category 3 medical or higher | 40 hours ground school and 45 flight hours minimum, including dual, solo, cross-country and instrument training | PPAER written examination and private-pilot flight test |
| Night Rating — Aeroplane | Hold a Canadian aeroplane pilot licence | 20 hours pilot training: 10 hours night and 10 hours instrument training, with required dual, solo, cross-country, takeoff and landing experience | Instructor recommendation after the required experience and proficiency are completed |
| VFR Over-the-Top Rating | Hold a Canadian aeroplane pilot licence | 15 hours dual instrument training, including the applicable instrument and navigation exercises; permitted simulator credit is limited | Instructor recommendation after meeting the experience and skill standard |
| Instrument Rating — Aeroplane | Hold the applicable pilot licence and medical; meet cross-country PIC prerequisites | 50 hours cross-country PIC and 40 hours instrument time, subject to permitted simulator credit and required dual instruction | INRAT examination and instrument-rating flight test |
Programme planning note: Licence and rating requirements are set by Transport Canada. Confirm current eligibility, experience, examination and flight-test requirements with CPA before enrolling.
25 hours minimumAge 16Category 4 medical
A focused pathway for pilots who want to fly eligible single-engine aeroplanes recreationally in Canada. CPA training covers aircraft control, circuits, emergency procedures, navigation fundamentals, radio work and flight-test preparation.
45 hours minimum40-hour ground schoolAge 17
The PPL is the principal foundation for recreational aviation and future advanced ratings. Training includes air exercises, circuits, navigation, instrument appreciation, cross-country operations, decision-making and flight-test preparation.
10 hours night10 hours instrument
Extend your operating capability beyond daylight while developing stronger instrument reference, situational awareness and night decision-making.
15 hours dual instrument
Build the instrument-reference and navigation skills required to operate VFR above a cloud layer when legal conditions and forecasts support the flight.
50 hours cross-country PIC40 hours instrument
Develop the procedural discipline and instrument-flight skills required for IFR operations, including departures, en route procedures, holds, approaches, missed approaches and abnormal situations.
CPA uses clear hourly rates so students can see how a flight-training estimate is built. These approximations are not fixed-price guarantees; actual completion time depends on proficiency, lesson frequency, weather, aircraft availability and Transport Canada standards.
Approximations exclude ground school, briefings beyond quoted flight time, simulator charges, medical examinations, Transport Canada fees, flight-test fees, books/equipment, fuel surcharges if applicable and HST. Final enrolment documents will identify current inclusions and payment policies.
Each programme summary combines regulatory minimums, a transparent planning scenario and the outcome students are working toward.
START FLYING
Focused recreational flying in Canada.
Planning example: 20 dual hours and 5 solo hours.
* Transport Canada minimum times only. Actual flight times may vary by student.
FOUNDATIONAL LICENCE
The foundation for personal flying and advanced ratings.
Planning example: 30 dual hours and 15 solo hours.
* Transport Canada minimum times only. Actual flight times may vary by student.
CAREER PATHWAY
Professional aeroplane pilot training.
Approximate: 35 dual and 30 solo commercial-training hours. Additional hour building to the 200-hour total-time requirement is separate.
* Transport Canada minimum times only. Actual flight times may vary by student.
ADVANCED RATING
Develop safe night and instrument-reference skills.
Aircraft-based approximate: 15 dual and 5 solo hours. Permitted simulator use may change the aircraft component.
* Transport Canada minimum times only. Actual flight times may vary by student.
ADVANCED RATING
Operate VFR above cloud when conditions permit.
Aircraft-only approximate for 15 dual hours; approved simulator credit may reduce aircraft time.
* Transport Canada minimum times only. Actual flight times may vary by student.
IFR QUALIFICATION
Prepare for instrument flight rules operations.
Illustrates 20–40 dual aircraft hours. Prior instrument credit and approved simulator time materially affect the final estimate.
* Transport Canada minimum times only. Actual flight times may vary by student.
Take a quick tour of our London International Airport training facility and see where your aviation journey begins.
CPA’s main base is at London International Airport, a controlled airport. Students gain regular experience communicating with air traffic control, using professional radio procedures, operating on paved runways and sharing airspace with varied traffic. The airport also has instrument approach infrastructure that supports advanced training.
Applications are currently being accepted.
Contact Admissions for programme availability, medical guidance, required documents and the next available start pathway.
Canadian Pilot Academy’s flight-training programmes are delivered by qualified, experienced flight instructors who provide structured briefings, practical coaching, progress monitoring and flight-test preparation. Instructor assignment is based on programme needs, scheduling and student progression.
Flight training and RPAS training are separate programmes. Drone certification, RPAS flight reviews and enterprise drone services are presented independently through the Drone Pilot Academy and Enterprise Drone Solutions pages.
We review age, medical status, prior experience and programme goals before recommending a pathway.
Ground school, flight lessons, study milestones and estimated scheduling are organized around the selected permit, licence or rating.
Instructor records and stage checks identify strengths, training gaps and readiness for solo, examinations or flight testing.
Students are recommended for a flight test or rating only after meeting the applicable knowledge, experience and proficiency standards.
Canadian Pilot Academy operates under Transport Canada Flight Training Unit certificate #13042 from our certified main base at CYXU–London International Airport.
Our authorized aeroplane training privileges on Cessna 172 aircraft include:
Detailed answers for prospective RPP, PPL, CPL, Night, VFR Over-the-Top and Instrument Rating students training in London, Ontario.
A Recreational Pilot Permit is intended for more limited recreational flying and carries narrower privileges. A Private Pilot Licence provides broader privileges and is normally the foundation for advanced ratings and commercial training. CPA can review your long-term objective before you choose.
Transport Canada sets a 45-hour minimum for the aeroplane PPL. Many students require additional time to reach flight-test proficiency. Lesson frequency, preparation, weather and individual progress materially affect the final total.
The aeroplane RPP has a 25-hour regulatory minimum. This is not a guaranteed completion time; the permit is issued only after the applicable knowledge, experience and proficiency requirements are satisfied.
Training duration depends on how often you fly, weather, aircraft and instructor availability, study progress and proficiency. Students who train consistently usually progress more efficiently than students with long gaps between lessons.
Two or more lessons per week is often helpful for continuity, but the right schedule depends on your availability and learning pace. Your instructor can recommend a realistic frequency and adjust it as training progresses.
You may begin introductory training before every licensing step is complete, but the appropriate medical is required for key milestones and eventual permit or licence issuance. Starting the medical process early helps avoid preventable delays.
The required category depends on the permit or licence. The RPP may use a Category 4 or higher, the PPL generally requires Category 3 or higher, and the CPL requires a Category 1 medical. Confirm current eligibility with Transport Canada and a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner.
Total cost depends on aircraft time, instructor time, ground instruction, equipment, medical and examination costs, taxes and the hours required to reach proficiency. CPA publishes hourly rates and approximate planning figures rather than promising a fixed completion price.
No. They are approximate budgeting scenarios based on stated rates and assumed hours. Transport Canada minimum hours do not guarantee flight-test readiness, and actual student totals vary.
Dual flight time is flown with an instructor. At the current listed rates, the C172 aircraft and instructor total $355.95 per dual flight hour before applicable taxes and other stated charges. Pre- and post-flight briefing requirements may be billed separately under current school policies.
Solo flight is conducted without an instructor aboard after the student has met regulatory and school authorization requirements. Solo exercises are assigned and supervised within the approved training programme.
Documented previous experience may be reviewed against applicable Transport Canada credit provisions and CPA’s assessment of currency and proficiency. Bring complete logbooks and training records for review.
Canadian Pilot Academy operates from its main base at London International Airport, CYXU, at 2475 Aviation Lane in London, Ontario.
It provides routine exposure to air traffic control, radio procedures, paved-runway operations and varied traffic. Students still require appropriate training-area and cross-country experience as their programme progresses.
Yes, subject to scheduling and availability. A consistent plan is strongly recommended because lengthy interruptions can increase review time and overall training hours.
Solo authorization occurs only after the student satisfies applicable age, medical, knowledge and proficiency requirements and the supervising instructor determines that the student is ready for the planned exercise and conditions.
The required Transport Canada written examination depends on the permit, licence or rating. Flight tests or qualifying flights also apply where required. CPA’s programme page identifies the principal examination associated with each pathway.
No. Ground school is one component. Applicants must independently satisfy all applicable medical, knowledge, experience, skill, examination and flight-test requirements.
Qualified PPL holders may build eligible experience toward commercial requirements, but flights should be planned and logged carefully. CPA can help separate formal commercial training from additional hour building.
CPA’s FTU certificate authorizes Night Rating, VFR Over-the-Top and Instrument Rating training on C172 aircraft, subject to instructor, aircraft, equipment, weather and scheduling availability.
Bring your aviation goal, availability, prior licences or permits, medical status and any existing logbooks or training records. This allows CPA to recommend a responsible pathway and approximate budget.
CPA is currently accepting enquiries for flight and RPAS training. Admission and start dates depend on programme suitability, documentation, instructor and aircraft availability.
Book a complimentary one-hour consultation with Canadian Pilot Academy to discuss your goals, eligibility, schedule and the best starting point.
Speak with CPA about eligibility, scheduling, current availability and the programme that fits your aviation goals.
Canadian Pilot Academy does not offer programs for international students.
International applicants may search the Government of Canada Designated Learning Institutions list and the Ontario career-college registry for eligible institutions.
Canadian Pilot Academy’s current programs are not eligible for T2202 tuition tax certificates.