Dreaming of a career as a commercial pilot? You're not alone. Canada is facing a growing demand for skilled pilots, with recent projections indicating that thousands of pilots will be needed in the coming years. There has never been a better time for internationally-trained pilots to achieve career success in Canada. As a pilot, you will benefit from a rewarding salary and the chance to explore the world. Let's break down the steps to becoming a pilot in Canada.
Choosing Your Path
The first step is to decide what kind of pilot you would like to be: recreational, private or commercial. If your goal is to fly for major airlines, commercial pilot training is the route for you. This blog will focus specifically on the steps to becoming a commercial pilot.
Firstly, you need to determine whether you meet the below requirements:
- Age and Education
You must be at least 18 years old to enroll in pilot training. Also, you must have a high school diploma to begin your pilot school journey.
- Training Options
You have several options for pilot training in Canada:
- Local flight school
- College program (combining post-secondary degree with flight training)
- Military (joining the Canadian Air Force, sponsored training with a commitment to serve for 12 years)
- Medical Certification:
You must obtain a Class 1 Medical Certificate, to show the state of your physical and mental health. This involves comprehensive exams to assess eyesight, hearing, coordination, spatial awareness and general health. Meeting the 20/20 vision requirement is crucial for acceptance.
- Language Proficiency:
You need to have a Level 4 proficiency in English, since English is the international language of aviation.
- Pilot Training:
Once you have been accepted for pilot training, the duration of your training varies based on factors such as flying frequency, hours logged and lesson performance. Throughout your training, you'll undergo evaluations and tests. The Private Pilot License (PPL) is the first milestone and subsequent training leads to the Commercial Pilot License (CPL), requiring a minimum of 200 flying hours.
- Add ons: You could consider pursuing an Instrument Rating (IR) for advanced weather navigation skills and a Multi-Engine Rating (MER) to handle larger aircrafts, expanding your opportunities in the aviation field. Continuous learning is key to a successful pilot career.
Becoming a commercial pilot in Canada requires careful planning, dedication and a love for flying. The most important step is choosing a flight school that aligns with your specific career goals. Pilot training is an investment – expect to spend anything from $15,000 to $40,000. A loan from Windmill Microlending can help! We offer financial support to help you succeed in your chosen career. Our low-interest loans, of up to $15,000, are exclusively for skilled immigrants and refugees with permanent status in Canada. Check if you’re eligible for a Windmill loan here:
https://windmillmicrolending.org/windmill-microlending-fixed-interest-rate/
