Your training will involve both in-flight training, and ground training (each are separate entities). You can start your flight training any time you want, and you can schedule your own time (as much or as little as you want). The ground school is conducted in our classroom and runs one night, or morning per week.

A Recreational Permit is just that, it is a "permit", not a licence. There is less training required for a Recreational Permit, but more restrictions.

No, you do not need to do anything! Basically, you will need to make a booking (we are open 7 days a week) and just show up! You do not need a medical, or any permits to be able to do the Discovery Flight.

No, we actually recommend you do a couple of flying lessons before you do your groundschool, this way your instructor will cover things such as ‘Theory of Flight’ before you start your 15 weeks of groundschool, and will help you understand the lessons better.

It is very important you make up the class which you miss. Talk to one of the Spectrum Airways employees and they will be able to tell you the next date the class will be on.

We have a wide variety of instructors at Spectrum Airways. They are all certified by Transport Canada. If you would like us to suggest an instructor for you, please let us know. We usually recommend that you keep one primary instructor and one secondary instructor (in case your instructor isn’t available).

To get a Private Pilot Licence, you will need a “Category III” Medical. This must be conducted by a Transport Canada approved medical examiner. This medical is generally a half an hour to ensure you are “fit to fly” for recreation. The fees vary from doctor to doctor, but are generally around $100.00. We have a list of Doctors in the area available for you. If you are getting a Recreational Permit, you will need a “Category IV” Medical, which can be conducted by your family doctor.

Local Doctors:

Search Civil Aviation Medical Examiners

No, fortunately Spectrum Airways does not charge an annual fee or also known as a ‘club fee’.

As you may or may not know, weekends tend to be our busiest time of the week. We recommend you book at least 5-7 days ahead to ensure the time, instructor and aircraft which you would prefer.

Transport Canada’s minimums for flight training is 45 hours. 17 dual (with an instructor) and 12 solo (by yourself). The average flight time which a student takes though is 65 hours including dual and solo. There is no set time which we can give you; it totally depends on the student and how often they are able to come in.

“Dual” means the training you do with your Instructor in the airplane with you. “Solo” means training you do in the airplane on your own. Your training will be made up of both dual & solo hours.

Both a Transport Canada Flight Test and Written Exam are required. The in-flight training will get you ready for your Flight Test and the ground school will get you ready for your written exam.

First things first – you will need to get a Private Pilot licence. If you are interested in becoming an “airline pilot”, you will need a Commercial licence, and a Multi-IFR (Multi Engine rating with an Instrument Rating). You have the option to complete these in any order you want. Some may wish to complete the Commercial licence first, and then move onto the Multi and Multi-IFR. Others will complete their Multi and/or their Multi-IFR within their Commercial Licence (this will cut down on the total cost of getting each licence/rating individually). We can help you decide which is right for you.

We recommend you call in to book a “Discovery Flight” (905) 336-4010, or email us at info@spectrumairways.com This will get you out to the Airport and up for an introductory lesson. At this time, you can go for a tour of the facility and ask your Instructor any questions that you have about licencing, and your training. We also recommend that you put your name on the list for the next ground school as soon as possible.