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Instructor Rating Program
Contents
What you will Achieve from this Program
Requirements for Entrance (Prerequisites) and Completion
Transport Canada's Minimum Requirements for Completion
Important Considerations for the estimated costs of Pilot Training
Important Considerations for International Students
Opportunities for Continued Employment at CPA
What you will Achieve from this Program
When you successfully complete this program, you'll earn a coveted Flight Instructor Rating issued by Transport Canada. This rating authorizes you to instruct and guide aspiring pilots on their journey to becoming aviation professionals. Additionally, Coastal Pacific Aviation will present you with a Certificate of Qualification—Flight Instructor, recognizing your expertise and achievement in the field of flight instruction.
Holders of a Flight Instructor Rating possess several significant privileges and authorities, including:
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Conducting Dual Flight Instruction: Flight Instructors are authorized to provide dual flight instruction for the issuance of various pilot qualifications, including Recreational Pilot Permits, Private Pilot Licences, Night Ratings, VFR OTT Ratings, and Commercial Pilot Licences.
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Instructing for Advanced Ratings: Subject to meeting the experience and qualifications requirements established by Transport Canada, Flight Instructors may also provide dual flight instruction for the issuance of advanced ratings, such as Instrument Ratings, Multi-engine Class Ratings, Seaplane Ratings, and Ultra-light Pilot Permits.
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Additional Authorities: In addition to instruction, Flight Instructors have other important responsibilities and authorities, including:
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Supervising and releasing students for solo training flights.
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Recommending students for Recreational Pilot, Private Pilot, and Commercial Pilot Flight Tests.
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For those meeting the required experience and qualifications, recommending Multi-engine Class Rating Students and Instrument Rating Students for their respective Flight Tests.
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Recommending students for Night Rating and VFR OTT endorsements.
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Holding a Flight Instructor Rating signifies a high level of expertise and a commitment to guiding and shaping the next generation of aviators. It also grants instructors the authority to help students achieve various pilot qualifications and endorsements, contributing to the growth of the aviation community.
Overview of Pilot Training
Flight Instructor students undergo a rigorous training process that involves two key examinations:
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Flight Test: Typically conducted by a Transport Canada Civil Aviation Inspector, the flight test assesses the candidate's practical skills and instructional abilities.
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Written Examination: Flight Instructor candidates must also pass a written examination to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the principles of flight instruction.
Key Areas of Focus:
In the Flight Instructor training process, two primary areas of focus are emphasized:
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Preparatory Ground Briefings (PGIs): Flight Instructors provide one-on-one ground briefings to students before departure, especially when introducing new exercises such as slow flight, stalls, precautionary landings, and more. These PGIs serve as essential preparatory sessions for students to understand and prepare for in-flight activities.
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Air Instruction (AI): Air Instruction involves a strategic sequence of demonstration and student practice in the air to teach various exercises. Flight Instructor students develop and practice their delivery of both PGIs and AI, often using rehearsed scripts and action sequences. This ensures effective and standardized instruction for over 25 different exercises taught to student pilots.
Training Progression:
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Ground training for Flight Instructor students can commence after successfully passing the Commercial Pilot Licence written examination, allowing candidates to build a strong foundation in instructional theory and methods.
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Air training, which focuses on the practical application of instructional techniques, cannot commence until after the candidate has been issued a Commercial Pilot Licence by Transport Canada.
The Flight Instructor training process is a comprehensive and structured program designed to prepare individuals for the important role of guiding and educating future aviators. Coastal Pacific Aviation Ltd is committed to providing high-quality training and support throughout this journey.
Requirements for Entrance (Prerequisites) and Completion
To enroll in the Flight Instructor Rating Program, candidates must meet specific prerequisites in accordance with CAR 421.69. These prerequisites include:
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Flight Training: Before commencing flight training within the program, candidates must have already completed their Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), demonstrating their proficiency in commercial aviation operations.
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Groundschool: Prior to starting the groundschool portion of the program, candidates must have successfully fulfilled the written examination requirements for the Commercial Pilot Licence. This ensures that students have a strong foundation in aviation theory and knowledge.
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Educational Background: As per the requirements outlined in the StudentAid BC Policy Manual, entrance into the Flight Instructor Rating Program necessitates candidates to have completed Grade 12 (or its equivalent). Alternatively, candidates may qualify as mature students, typically defined as individuals aged 19 or older who have not attended school full-time for 52 weeks.
Meeting these prerequisites ensures that candidates have the necessary knowledge and experience to embark on the Flight Instructor Rating Program and ultimately become effective and knowledgeable flight instructors. Coastal Pacific Aviation Ltd is dedicated to providing a supportive and structured learning environment to help candidates achieve success in their instructor training.
Transport Canada's Minimum Requirements for Completion
Ground School Instruction:
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Flight Instructor candidates are required to complete a minimum of 25 hours of ground school instruction tailored specifically for Instructor Rating. This instruction includes comprehensive coverage of essential topics, such as:
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Practical application of the basic principles of learning and instructional techniques.
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Preparation and effective use of lesson plans.
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Procedures for planning and delivering preparatory ground instruction, pre-flight briefings, in-flight instruction, and post-flight debriefings.
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In-depth knowledge of the theory of flight necessary for teaching air exercises.
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Familiarity with aircraft flight manuals and operating limits.
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Presentation of pilot decision-making concepts.
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Utilization of key resources, including the Transport Canada Flight Instructor Guide, Flight Training Manual, Canadian Aviation Regulations (Part IV), and the relevant Flight Test schedules and guides.
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Written Examination:
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Flight Instructor candidates must successfully pass a written examination for Flight Instructor Rating—Aeroplane Class 4 (AIRAF) with a minimum score of 70%. The examination encompasses the following subjects:
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Air Law—Part IV of the CARs—Personnel Licensing and Training, covering general rules for recency requirements, administration of licences and ratings, logbook requirements, written examination and flight test administration, permits, licences, rating privileges, qualification requirements, medical administrative requirements, and regulations related to flight training administration and operations.
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Fundamentals of Instructing, which includes learning factors, factors influencing learning, preparation, presentation, critique, evaluation methods, instructional techniques and methods for flight instruction, human factors integration into instruction, and effective communication.
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Aeronautics—General Knowledge, focusing on threat and error management, aircraft flight manuals, aircraft operating limits, and flight test standards.
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Experience Requirements:
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Flight Instructor candidates must accumulate a minimum of 30 hours of dual flight instruction, encompassing overall pilot proficiency and the presentation of all exercises outlined in the Flight Instructor Guide. Of these 30 hours, at least 5 hours should be dedicated to training in the teaching of instrument flight skills. It's important to note that up to 5 of the required 30 hours may be conducted on an approved aeroplane simulator or flight training device.
Skill Requirements:
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Successful completion of a flight test is a mandatory component of the Flight Instructor Rating Program. The flight test is conducted in accordance with the Flight Instructor Flight Test Guide to assess the candidate's flight instruction skills and abilities.
Meeting these knowledge and experience requirements ensures that Flight Instructor candidates are well-prepared to become effective and knowledgeable instructors capable of guiding and educating future aviators. Coastal Pacific Aviation Ltd is committed to providing comprehensive training and support throughout this process.
Estimated Training Costs
Please be aware that the following figures represent the minimum estimated costs for students, as stipulated by Transport Canada's requirements. It's important to note that these prices may vary among students due to various factors. Additionally, please understand that the prices are subject to change without prior notice. This flexibility allows our school to promptly adapt to significant fluctuations in aviation fuel costs.
AIR INSTRUCTION
Aircraft Type: Cessna 172-P Model
Aircraft Hourly Rate $179/hr
Flight Instructor Hourly Rate $80/hr
30 Hours Dual Instruction $7,770
Sub-Total $7,770
GROUND SCHOOL & ADMINISTRATION
45 Hours Ground Instruction $3,600
Books and Supplies (Approximate) $125
Flight Tests & Transport Canada Fees $330
(Flight Tests & TC fees are NOT paid directly to CPA)
Sub-Total $4,055
ESTIMATED TOTAL COSTS
Air Instruction and Student Practice $7,770
Ground School and Administration $4,055
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST $11,825 CAD

Important Considerations for the estimated costs of Pilot Training
It's essential to recognize that estimating pilot training costs can be challenging due to varying factors among students. These factors include differences in training frequency and varying skill levels in both flight training and written examination preparation.
When students encounter challenges in preparing for written examinations, the primary consequence is typically delayed completion. This delay can incur additional expenses, such as accommodation and food costs during extended training periods. However, these costs are relatively modest compared to the potential expenses associated with needing additional practice flights to meet training requirements.
The most significant cost variable in pilot training pertains to students' flying proficiency levels. To obtain a Canadian Flight Instructor rating, students must meet the rigorous flying standards established by Transport Canada, as outlined in the Flight Instructor Flight Test Guide. Coastal Pacific Aviation Ltd is committed to supporting students in achieving these standards efficiently and effectively.
Important Considerations for International Students
International students who wish to enroll in our programs are required to submit a non-refundable administrative fee of $390, payable to Coastal Pacific Aviation. This fee is essential for covering administrative and courier expenses, including the preparation and issuance of the Letter of Acceptance. The Letter of Acceptance is a crucial document that international students will need when initiating their application for a Study Permit and Visa.
For comprehensive information tailored to the specific needs of international students, we encourage you to explore the International Students' Page on our website. This resource provides valuable insights and guidance to facilitate a smooth and successful journey for our international student community.
Opportunities for Continued Employment at CPA
While the successful completion of this program does not guarantee immediate employment as a Flight Instructor at Coastal Pacific Aviation (CPA), it plays a crucial role in gaining valuable operational experience. This experience is fundamental for enhancing safety measures and operational efficiency within CPA's aviation environment.
At CPA, our priority is to select instructional staff primarily from our pool of program graduates. We give special consideration to those who have successfully completed our Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Multi-engine, and Multi IFR Programs.
Graduates who have demonstrated compatible conduct and operational effectiveness during their training have a substantial likelihood of securing continued employment with CPA. It's important to emphasize that the ultimate decision regarding graduate employment rests with the Chief Flight Instructor and the Director of Flight Operations.
For in-depth information regarding employment opportunities and how to become a part of our team, we invite you to explore the following link: Join Us.
Furthermore, it's noteworthy that this program has received approval from the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training. This endorsement underscores the program's commitment to maintaining quality standards and compliance with regulatory requirements.