The Private Pilot Licence, when pursued on a full-time basis, can technically be completed in as little as six weeks. However, it typically takes between three to six months to complete, depending on a student's performance during the initial stages of training. The most significant variation in training time for Private Pilot students typically occurs during the "pre-solo" phase of the Private Pilot Licence. On average, students require approximately 15 hours of flight training before their first solo flight. However, this can vary widely, ranging from 10 to 30 hours, depending on individual performance.
It's important to note that the time taken to reach the first solo flight does not reflect the final quality of a student's performance, and there is no correlation between the time to solo and the quality of performance on the Private Pilot Flight Test. Once students complete their first solo flight, they tend to progress at a consistent rate. The training times for students in the Commercial Pilot Program are surprisingly similar, typically ranging from six to eight months. In contrast, the Multi-engine Class Rating and Instrument Ratings usually require about two months to complete. The primary reason for these variations in training times is the frequency of training flights, particularly how many training flights a student can complete in a week.
Accelerated Pilot Training Program—13 Months
For International Students enrolling in the Accelerated Pilot Training Program, the typical timeframe to go from your first flight to your final flight, where you will be qualified with your Commercial Pilot Licence endorsed with a Group 1 (Multi-engine) Instrument Rating, is approximately 13 months. This program is designed for students who are able to commit to full-time training and fly daily, five days a week.
It's important to understand that completing these licenses within this accelerated timeframe requires a rigorous and consistent training schedule. If students are unable to maintain this pace, they will automatically transition to the modular training programs, which allow students more control over the pace of their training. The modular programs may take longer than 13 months to complete, as they are designed to accommodate students with varying schedules and availability.
Students unable to maintain the pace of the Accelerated Program roll back automatically to the modular training programs.
Integrated Airline Transport Pilot Program—13 Months
The Integrated Airline Transport Pilot Program compresses into the 13 months, which includes the Multi-crew and Airline Transport Pilot Training not found in the Accelerated Program. Like the Accelerated Program, on-time completion of this course requires a full-time commitment. Also like the Accelerated program, students unable to maintain the pace of the Integrated ATPL program roll back into the modular programs.
Business Administration (Aviation) Diploma and Degree—24 Months and 4 Years
Students seeking to join CPA’s Aviation Diploma or Degree Programs enroll with our partners at the University of the Fraser Valley’s School of Business with starting semesters beginning in September of each year. Completions in these programs are more predictable that the accelerated or integrated programs, but the pace of study packed with a combination of business and pilot training.
The Real Cost of Pilot Training
Performance Standards
When you are thinking of becoming a pilot, it is important to know that pilot training is a performance-based endeavor. It is not a matter of simply completing the groundschool and flight training hours required and getting the licence or rating—instead, it is a matter of achieving the performance standard specified for licence or rating, whether it be the minimum pass mark on a Transport Canada flight test or written examination. Even more, Transport Canada requires that Flight Instructor recommend their students for qualifying flight tests and written examinations only when their students meet the published standard—if too many candidates recommended by a Flight Instructor fail, the Flight Instructor will be held accountable.
Training Cost Overruns
Because of the variable learning rates of students, achievement of required standards can become delayed—this is especially the case with the pre-solo phase of the Private Pilot Licence training.
Frequency of Training Flights
The job prospects for pilots is especially good just now, but pilot training is nevertheless expensive—and this is especially the case with he Accelerated and Integrated programs with their trademark “rapid fire” training schedules, where the training is compressed into a short period of time with frequent training flights. Students participating in the modular programs control their pace of training--where a lot into a short period of time. Be sure you are financially prepared for the pace of expenditure
Pace of Training
The job prospects for pilots is especially good just now, but pilot training is nevertheless expensive—and this is especially the case with he Accelerated and Integrated programs, with their trademark “rapid fire” full-time training schedules where students fly every day. In contrast, students participating in the modular programs control their own pace of training—where they can fly every day, or fly once or twice a week. What is important is for you to select a program that you can financially sustain. While International Students must maintain full-time studies, the modular program structure will still provide greater financial flexibility compared to the Accelerated and Integrated programs.
How to Apply for Admission to CPA
Try to obtain as much information as possible from our website. If you still have additional questions, communicate with CPA through the the following website: info@coastalpacific.com.
If you are ready to apply for admission, the process will generally follow the following sequence:
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Complete the request for International Admissions Form (linked below).
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Once you have provided us with the necessary information, we will email you a draft Letter of Acceptance.
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Review the draft Letter of Acceptance and ensure all the information is correct.
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Send us the administration fee (see link below).
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We will courier the original Letter of Acceptance to you.
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Make contact with a with Citizen and Immigration Canada and begin the process obtaining a Study Permit (additional information on Study Permits is summarized on the follow page: How to Obtain a Study Permit.
Banking, Currency Conversion, and Money Transfers
There are some good sources of information for International Students regarding bank facilities in Canada—the University of Waterloo, Simon Fraser University, or the University of British Columbia, for example.
It goes without saying that all costs are quoted by us in Canadian Dollars, and you can visit the following link to calculate your currency's conversion: Bank of Canada.
Two common methods are used to transfer many to Coastal Pacific Aviation, wire transfers, and e-transfers. For wire transfers, work through you local bank and provide them with the following information:
For more information on wire transfers, contact the Financial Officer, Jing (Ashley) He.
Ashley is also the recipient for e-transfer, and she can be reached at accounting@coastalpacific.com.
International Students
Policy of Non-affiliation—Equal treatment of All International Students
English Language Proficiency
Time Required for Pilot Training
Banking, Currency Conversion, and Money Transfers
You're welcome, and thank you for your interest in Coastal Pacific Aviation. This page is dedicated to providing essential information for international students looking to begin the admission process with CPA while fulfilling the requirements set by our regulators, primarily Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. We are committed to assisting you in joining our aviation community as one of our student pilots. It's our privilege to train aspiring pilots from all around the world!
Canada has a long-standing reputation for excellence in international flight training. This reputation is upheld by Canadian license holders who actively participate in commercial flight operations across the globe. The standards set by Transport Canada and major Canadian airlines ensure that pilots possess strong flying skills, a comprehensive yet practical knowledge base, and a commitment to safe and effective decision-making. Did you know that Canada is the only country in the world that requires commercial pilots to demonstrate full-autorotation spin entry and recovery? The history of international flight training in Canada dates back to the 1940s with the Commonwealth Air Training Plan, and it is with pride and dedication that we, like many other flight schools across Canada, continue the tradition of offering effective and proven pilot training programs for international students.
Policy of Non-affiliation—Equal treatment of All International Students
CPA is committed to the fair and equitable treatment of all of its International Student and does not maintain affiliation with any business/recruiting agents or special interest groups in other countries that could lead to unfair recruitment fees levied against students, or preferential access to flight training resources. All International Students are treated fairly and equally, and CPA seeks to minimize the cost of training in all cases. International Students are fully integrated with CPA 's domestic students.
English Language Proficiency
In accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization, all pilots must demonstrate speaking and listening comprehension in English. In Canada, Transport Canada requires that all international students complete the Formal Aviation Language Proficiency Demonstration prior to their first solo flight. The demonstration must be conducted by a Transport Canada Language Assessor over the telephone after the candidate's identity has been verified in person by a representative of the of the Chief Flight Instructor. It is the student responsibility to ensure they can achieve either a expert or operational rating in English pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and interaction, as described in Appendix C - Rating Scale Explanation of the Guide to a Formal Aviation Language Proficiency Demonstration.
Time Required for Pilot Training