Ultralight Flight Instructor Rating
It is a three-step process if you would like to achieve your Flight Instructor Rating for an Ultralight Aeroplane.
Student Pilot Permit
First Step
- AGE: Minimum 14 years of age
- REQUIREMENTS: Proof of age and citizenship
- Proof of medical fitness (Category 4 Declaration)
- Proof of having met the experience and skill requirements to complete a solo flight which entails:
- the student pilot must complete dual flight training with an instructor (flight instruction from an appropriately licensed and rated pilot on board a dual control aircraft)
- the student must obtain the Restricted Operator Certificate with Aeronautical Qualification (training on use of the aircraft radio for communications
- the student pilot must pass a written exam called the P-Star Exam (Pre-Solo Test of Air Regulations) achieving a passing mark of 90% on 50 questions
CONGRATULATIONS! Step 1 accomplished!
Once the student pilot permit has been achieved, a student pilot is permitted to complete a solo flight under the supervision of the flight instructor. The student pilot is the sole occupant of the aircraft and acts as the pilot-in-command during the flight.
Ultralight Passenger Carrying Rating
Second Step
- AGE: Minimum 16 years of age
- REQUIREMENTS: Proof of Medical Fitness (Category 4 Declaration)
- Completion of Ground School Course which is offered on-line or with direct support from the instructor
- Minimum 20 hours of theory related to: Theory of flight, Regulation
Weather, and Navigation
- Minimum 20 hours of theory related to: Theory of flight, Regulation
- Completion of Transport Canada Written Exam with a passing mark of 60% (80 questions within a 3 hour time limit-exam based on ground school info)
- Minimum 25 hours of total flight time which includes: minimum ten hours of dual time, minimum two hours of cross-country navigation, minimum five hours of solo time
- Successful Practical Flight Test completed by a Transport Canada Examiner
CONGRATULATIONS! You are now a licensed Ultralight Pilot!
Ultralight Flight Instructor Rating
Third Step
- AGE: Minimum 18 years of age
- REQUIREMENTS: Proof of Medical Fitness (Category 3 Documentation issued by a medical examiner authorized by Transport Canada)
- Completion of Ground School Course which is offered on-line and/or with direct support from the instructor
- Minimum 20 hours of theory related to: Learning Factors, Factors that Impact Learning, Presentation, Critique, Evaluation Methods, Techniques and Methods of Flight Instruction, Integrating Human Factors into Instructions, Communication, Threat and Error Management( Part 1 of the Flight Instructor Guide from Transport Canada)
- Completion of Transport Canada Written Exam – FITEN – with a passing mark of 80% (25 questions within a one hour time limit-multiple choice)
- Minimum 50 hours of total flight time which includes: minimum five hours of dual instruction, five hours dual flight time on instructional techniques, minimum 25 hours of solo time
- Successful Practical Flight Test completed by a Transport Canada Examiner
CONGRATULATIONS! You are now a licensed Ultralight Flight Instructor!
If you currently hold a PPL-A (Private Pilot’s Licence – Aeroplane) or higher, the flight time is reduced from 50 hours on Ultralight Aeroplanes to 25 hours. You can be exempted from the ground school and FITEN test, if you hold or have held (within 24 months) a Flight Instructors Rating (Class 4,3,2,1).
It is important to note that the flight times referenced above are minimum times as required by Transport Canada. There are many factors which may increase your flight training time. Such factors are but not limited to: poor weather conditions, how often you choose to fly (the larger the time interval between lessons, the more review is required), and unexpected airplane maintenance issues. As well, everyone learns at their own pace with their own strengths and their own abilities. Being focused and engaged in learning how to soar the sky are key to becoming a safe, skilled, and confident pilot.