Pilot Examinations

In order to be admitted to a flight test required for the issuance of a Private Pilot License – Aeroplane, or a complete re-test, and meet the requirements of CAR 421.14, the candidate will present: aircraft systems and a VFR cross-country flight, including one intermediate stop, to an assigned destination at least 2 hours cruising range distance in the aeroplane being used for the flight test. 

The cross-country flight details will be provided to the candidate the night before the test and the candidate can make preliminary preparations such as route selection, paper chart preparation, determination of tracks, distances, selection of possible alternates and initial navigational log entries before the flight test. Flight planning will be completed based on real-time weather and a loading scenario with all or most passenger seats occupied and a significant baggage load, as specified by the examiner. 

Software-generated flight planning is acceptable, but the candidate must be able to explain some of the key elements of flight planning such as estimated time en route, fuel requirements, contingencies, etc.  

The private pilot license (PPL) flight test will take about four (4) hours to complete.  One (1) hour will be on the ground in the areas of aircraft documents, aircraft performance, a weight and balance, aircraft systems and a VFR cross-country flight, including one intermediate stop, to an assigned destination at least two (2) hours cruising range distance in the aeroplane being used for the flight test. The cross-country flight will be emailed to the candidate the night before the test and the candidate can make preliminary preparations such as route selection, paper chart preparation, determination of tracks, distances, selection of possible alternates and initial navigational log entries before the flight test. Flight planning will be completed based on real-time weather and a loading scenario with all or most passenger seats occupied and a significant baggage load, as specified by the examiner. Software-generated flight planning is acceptable, but the candidate must be able to explain some of the key elements of flight planning such as estimated time en route, fuel requirements, contingencies, etc.  

The air portion of the flight test is laid out in the flight test standards linked here: https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/flight-test-guide-private-pilot-licence-aeroplane-tp-13723  

Admission to the Private Pilot Flight Test

In order to be admitted to a flight test required for the issuance of a Private Pilot License – Aeroplane, or a complete re-test, and meet the requirements of CAR 421.14, the candidate will present:

a.  photo identification with signature.

b.  a valid permit, license or a foreign pilot license issued by a contracting state.

c.  proof of meeting the medical standards for the Private Pilot License.

d.  a letter signed by the holder of a valid Flight Instructor Rating – Aeroplane, and dated within the 30 days prior to the completion of the flight test certifying that:  

i. training for all of the exercises in the Flight Training Manual and the Flight Instructor Guide from Ex. 1 thru to Ex. 24 and Exercises 29 and 30, including Ex. 13 has been completed;  

ii.  a pre-test evaluation of all required flight test exercises was completed with the candidate;  

iii. the candidate is considered to have reached a sufficient level of competency to complete the flight test for the issuance of the Private Pilot License - Aeroplane, and  

iv.  the instructor recommends the candidate for the flight test.

e.  evidence of having completed 35 hours total flight time.

Aircraft and Equipment Requirements

The candidate will provide:

1. an aeroplane for the flight test that:
   1. has a flight authority pursuant to CAR 507 and that authority has no operating limitations that prohibit the performance of all required manoeuvers; and
   2. meets the equipment requirements of CAR 425.23 - Training Aircraft Requirements - subsections (1), (2) and (3) of the Personnel Licensing and Training Standards.
2. current editions of appropriate aeronautical paper charts and Canada Flight Supplement.
3. an effective means of excluding outside visual reference to simulate instrument flight conditions, while maintaining a safe level of visibility for the examiner.

Weather for the Flight Test

The private pilot flight test will be conducted in the Vancouver Fraser Valley area where often clouds accumulate along the Northern mountains. These clouds can form a ceiling along the mountains even though the weather reports and forecasts for the airports in the region aren’t indicating a ceiling at the same altitude.  

Thereby, the reported or forecasted cloud ceiling at these regional airports needs to be 3,000’ AGL with no clouds (Few or Sct) reported, or forecasted, below 2,500’ AGL unless recent PIREPS or school reports indicate an actual ceiling where the flight test will occur that allows upper air work at 3,000 AGL. The upper winds at 3,000 ASL for Vancouver should not be above 25 knots or moderate or greater turbulence forecasted on the GFA or reported by PIREPS or school reports in the Fraser Valley area.  

Candidates are reminded that turbulence will move the aircraft away from the flight standards in altitude and airspeed. Although the examiner will seek to differentiate light turbulence variations from the candidate’s actual flying performance, moderate or greater turbulence can impair the proper assessment of the candidate’s performance.

Surface winds can be accessed at or near the time of the flight test. However, generally wind speeds or gusts of over 20 knots can indicate a difficult environment to conduct a stabilized approach.    

Private Pilot Flight Test Fee

$420.00    ($400.00 fee plus $20.00 GST) 

Payment required at time of booking to confirm flight test.  

Cancellation Terms

A full refund is paid to the candidate or applied as a credit, at the request of the candidate, to re-book another flight test within 60 days, up until 2 hours before the flight test (this allows for a same day weather decision).  

However, after 2 hours before the flight test, a no-go decision to conduct the flight test by either the candidate or the examiner will result in a $105.00 cancellation fee ($100.00 fee plus $5.00 GST). The remaining fees already paid will be refunded or applied as a credit to re-book another flight test within 60 days.   

If the examiner is unable to attend the flight test, a full refund is paid to the candidate or applied, at the request of the candidate, as a credit to re-book another flight test within 60 days 

The commercial pilot license (CPL) flight test will take about four (4) hours to complete.  One hour will be on the ground in the areas of aircraft documents, aircraft performance, a weight and balance, aircraft systems and a simulated VFR cross-country flight of at least 2.5 hours cruising range to an assigned destination, including an intermediate refueling stop (simulating that a NOTAM states that fuel is not available at the assigned destination).  

The cross-country flight details will be provided to the candidate the night before the flight test. Preliminary planning and paper chart preparation may be done prior to the day of the test. Final flight planning will be completed based on real time weather, and a loading scenario with all passenger seats occupied as well as a significant baggage load, as specified by the examiner. 

Software or online flight planning may be used for the planning and generation of a navigation log.

The air portion of the flight test is laid out in the flight test standards publication linked here: https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/flight-test-guide-commercial-pilot-licence-aeroplane-tp-13462 

Admission to the Commercial Flight Test

For admission to a flight test required for the issuance of a Commercial Pilot License – Aeroplane, or a complete re-test, and to meet the requirements of CAR Standard 421.14, the candidate will present:

a.  a photo identification with signature.

b.  a valid flight crew permit, license or foreign pilot license issued by a contracting state.

c.  proof of meeting the medical standards for the Commercial Pilot License.

d.  a letter signed by the holder of a valid Flight Instructor Rating – Aeroplane, and dated within the 30 days prior to the completion of the flight test certifying that:  

    i.  training for all of the exercises in the Flight Training Manual and the Flight Instructor Guide from Ex. 1 thru to Ex. 25 and Exercises 29 and 30 have been completed;  

   ii.  a pre-test evaluation of all required flight test exercises was completed with the candidate;  

   iii.  the candidate is considered to have reached a sufficient level of proficiency to complete the flight test for the issuance of the Commercial Pilot License - Aeroplane; and  

   iv.  the instructor recommends the candidate for the flight test.

e.  evidence of having completed no less than 75% of the total flying experience required for application for a Commercial Pilot License – Aeroplane.

f.  proof of having successfully completed the required written examination and a letter from a qualified instructor certifying that a review of subject area(s) identified as having deficiencies by the Written Examination and Feedback Report has been carried out and the candidate meets the knowledge standards for the Commercial Pilot License. 

This requirement does not apply to candidates enrolled in an approved CPL(A), CPL(A)/IR or ATP(A) integrated course. [CAR 421.14(3)(b)]Note: Items (d), (e) and (f) above may be incorporated on the same letter of recommendation but with separate signatures for each certification. 

Aircraft and Equipment Requirements

The candidate will provide:

a.  an aeroplane for the flight test that:  

    i.has a flight authority pursuant to CAR 507 and that authority has no operating limitations that prohibit the performance of the required manoeuvres, including intentional spins;  

    ii.meets the requirements of CAR Standard 425.23 Training Aircraft Requirements - subsections (1), (2), (3) and (4) of the Personnel Licensing Standards.

b.  current editions of appropriate aeronautical paper charts and the latest Canada Flight Supplement.

c.  an effective means of excluding outside visual reference to simulate instrument flight conditions, while maintaining a safe level of visibility for the examiner.

Note: More than one aeroplane may be provided to satisfy the requirements of the flight test, if evidence of having received instruction on each type of aeroplane is presented.

Weather for the Flight Test

The commercial pilot flight test will be conducted in the Vancouver Fraser Valley area where often clouds accumulate along the Northern mountains. These clouds can form a ceiling along the mountains even though the weather reports and forecasts for the airports in the region aren’t indicating a ceiling at the same altitude.  

Thereby, the reported or forecasted cloud ceiling at these regional airports needs to be 3,000’ AGL with no clouds (Few or Sct) reported, or forecasted, below 2,500’ AGL unless recent PIREPS or school reports indicate an actual ceiling where the flight test will occur that allows upper air work at 3,000 AGL. The upper winds at 3,000 ASL for Vancouver should not be above 25 knots or moderate or great turbulence forecasted on the GFA or reported by PIREPS or school reports in the Fraser Valley area. 

Candidates are reminded that turbulence will move the aircraft away from the flight standards in altitude and airspeed. Although the examiner will seek to differentiate light turbulence variations from the candidate’s actual flying performance, moderate or greater turbulence can impair the proper assessment of the candidate’s performance.

Surface winds can be accessed at or near the time of the flight test. However, generally wind speeds or gusts of over 20 knots can indicate a difficult environment to conduct a stabilized approach.                  

Commercial Pilot Flight Test Fee

$472.50    ($450.00 fee plus $22.50 GST)

Payment required at time of booking to confirm flight test.    

Cancelation Terms

A full refund is paid to the candidate or applied as a credit, at the request of the candidate, to re-book another flight test within 60 days, up until 2 hours before the flight test (this allows for a same day weather decision).  

However, after 2 hours before the flight test, a no-go decision to conduct the flight test by either the candidate or the examiner will result in a $105.00 cancellation fee ($100.00 fee plus $5.00 GST). The remaining fees already paid will be refunded or applied as a credit to re-book another flight test within 60 days.   

If the examiner is unable to attend the flight test, a full refund is paid to the candidate or applied, at the request of the candidate, as a credit to re-book another flight test within 60 days

The multi-engine flight test will take about 3.5 hours to complete.  One hour will be on the ground in the areas of aircraft documents, aircraft performance & limitations, principles of flight – one engine inoperative, a weight and balance, and aircraft systems.  The performance questions will be provided to the candidate the night before the flight test.  

The air portion of the flight test is laid out in the flight test standards linked here: https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/flight-test-guide-multi-engine-class-rating-aeroplane-tp-219 

Admission to the Multi-Engine Flight Test

For admission to a flight test required for the issuance of a Multi-Engine Class Rating and to meet the requirements of CAR Standard section 421.14 and Schedule 7 of Standard 428, the candidate will present:

1. an “Aviation Document” licensing booklet - Aeroplane category with medical certification validating the license;
2. a letter of recommendation signed and dated within 30 days prior to the flight test from a person qualified in accordance with section 425.21(5) of the Personnel Licensing and Training Standards certifying that:
3. the candidate has received training in accordance with the Instructor Guide – Multi-Engine Class Rating (TP 11575);
4. the candidate has successfully completed a pre-test evaluation of all the applicable flight test items;
5. the candidate is considered to have reached a sufficient level of competency to undertake the flight test for the issuance of a multi-engine class rating;
6. the candidate is recommended for the flight test.

Aircraft and Equipment Requirements The candidate will provide an aeroplane that:

1. has a flight authority pursuant to CAR 507 and that authority has no operating limitations that prohibit the performance of all the required manoeuvres; and
2. meets the requirements of subsections (1) and (2) of section 425.23 - Training Aircraft Requirements of the Personnel Licensing Standards.

Weather for the Flight Test

The multi-engine flight test will be conducted in the Vancouver Fraser Valley area where often clouds accumulate along the Northern mountains, or north of Orcas Island. These clouds can form a ceiling along the mountains even though the weather reports and forecasts for the airports in the region aren’t indicating a ceiling at the same altitude.  

Thereby, the reported or forecasted cloud ceiling at these regional airports needs to be 3,000’ AGL with no clouds (Few or Sct) reported, or forecasted, below 2,500’ AGL unless recent PIREPS or school reports indicate an actual ceiling where the flight test will occur that allows upper air work at 3,000 AGL. 

The same weather standards would be for flight tests conducted north of Orcas Island.The upper winds at 3,000 ASL for Vancouver should not be above 25 knots or moderate or greater turbulence forecasted on the GFA or reported by PIREPS or school reports in the Fraser Valley area.  

Candidates are reminded that turbulence will move the aircraft away from the flight standards in altitude and airspeed. Although the examiner will seek to differentiate light turbulence variations from the candidate’s actual flying performance, moderate or greater turbulence can impair the proper assessment of the candidate’s performance.

Surface winds can be accessed at or near the time of the flight test. However, generally wind speeds or gusts of over 20 knots can indicate a difficult environment to conduct a stabilized approach.                  

Multi-Engine Flight Test Fee

$420.00    ($400.00 fee plus $20.00 GST)

Payment required at time of booking to confirm flight test.   

Cancellation Terms

A full refund is paid to the candidate or applied as a credit, at the request of the candidate, to re-book another flight test within 60 days, up until 2 hours before the flight test (this allows for a same day weather decision).  

However, after 2 hours before the flight test, a no-go decision to conduct the flight test by either the candidate or the examiner will result in a $105.00 cancellation fee ($100.00 fee plus $5.00 GST). The remaining fees already paid will be refunded or applied as a credit to re-book another flight test within 60 days.   

If the examiner is unable to attend the flight test, a full refund is paid to the candidate or applied, at the request of the candidate, as a credit to re-book another flight test within 60 days

Partial PPL, CPL and multi-engine flight tests can take between 1.0 to 1.5 hours to complete and can be provided if the applicable pass mark has been achieved, there are no more than two failed air items, and no more than the allowed number of “1s” and “2s” combined, the skill requirement for license/rating issuance may be met by completing a partial re-test of the items assessed as “1”.  

In this case, the candidate will be required to successfully perform the air items failed on the complete flight test. Flight test items already assessed will not be re-tested, but flight test items already demonstrated during the initial flight, but repeated for the purpose of the second flight, may be re-assessed as a “1” if their aim is not achieved or safety is compromised. 

The partial flight test must be completed within 30 days following the date of the failed flight test.  No more than one partial flight test will be allowed for each complete flight test.

Admission to a Partial Private or Commercial Pilot Flight Test

A partial flight test must be conducted within 30 days after the date of the failed test [408.18(2)]. Prior to admission to a partial flight test, the candidate will provide the requirements of (a), (b) and (c) above, and:

a.  a copy of the flight test report for the previously failed flight test; and

b.  a letter, signed by the holder of a valid Flight Instructor Rating - Aeroplane, certifying that the candidate:  

     i.  has received further training on the failed flight test item(s);  

     ii.  is considered to have reached a sufficient level of proficiency to successfully complete the flight test; and  

     iii.  is recommended by the instructor for the partial flight test.

Admission to a Partial Multi-Engine Flight Test

A partial flight test must be conducted within 30 days of the date of the original letter of recommendation. For admission to a partial flight test following failure of a flight test, the candidate will provide:

a.  an “Aviation Document” licensing booklet - Aeroplane category with medical certification validating the license;

b.  a copy of the flight test report for the previously failed flight test;

c.  a letter of recommendation for the partial flight test, signed by the person that conducted the remedial training, certifying that the candidate:  

     i.  has received further training on the failed flight test items(s);  

     ii.  is considered to have reached a sufficient level of competency to successfully complete the flight test;  

     iii.  is recommended by the qualified person for the partial flight test.

Partial Flight Test Fee

$210.00 ($200.00 fee plus $10.00 GST)

Payment required at time of booking to confirm flight test.    

Cancellation Terms

A full refund is paid to the candidate or applied as a credit, at the request of the candidate, to re-book another flight test within 60 days, up until 2 hours before the flight test (this allows for a same day weather decision).  

However, after 2 hours before the flight test, a no-go decision to conduct the flight test by either the candidate or the examiner will result in a $105.00 cancellation fee ($100.00 fee plus $5.00 GST). The remaining fees already paid will be refunded or applied as a credit to re-book another flight test within 60 days.   

If the examiner is unable to attend the flight test, a full refund is paid to the candidate or applied, at the request of the candidate, as a credit to re-book another flight test within 60 days