Welcome to the world of ultralight aviation or "aviation 101" as we like to call it. The Pilot Permit - Ultralight Aeroplane is the easiest and least expensive of all the flight permits and licenses to acquire. This course is made easy by the relaxed atmosphere, scheduling and minimum requirements set forth by Transport Canada.

4 Steps to Success

Step 1 The "Discovery Flight". There are no prerequisites or requirements to enjoy this initial flight. This familiarization flight is designed to introduce you to the joys of ultralight flying while accompanied by a certified flight instructor. There is no need for any special clothing or equipment (except your camera), our aircraft are cool in the summer and heated in the winter. You will be offered a chance to take control of the aircraft during this flight and you will also have an opportunity to ask all the questions you can think about while enjoying the amazing scenery of the Cowichan Valley and Gulf Islands from the air.

Step 2 Time to sign up. There will be a little paper work to accomplish this and of course some money will be required. The deposit required is $450.00 plus GST which pays for your entire ground school and all the books required. This is a one time fee which means you may attend as many initial ground school courses as you like at no extra charge! The application will take about 15 minutes for you to complete and it consists of the usual requirements such as name, Address, contact numbers, etc.

You may now start your flying (Step 3) any time your ready.

Transport Canada also requires a few items to prove who you are (Proof of Citizenship) and how old you are (Proof of Age). You will also be required to complete a medical declaration form. (Proof of Medical)

......see age and medical requirements below

Step 3 The flying. You (and the weather) are in control of setting the flight schedule. You may fly any time you want providing the weather is acceptable, no winds above 20 KPH and no heavy rain. We are open 7 days per week to accept your bookings. Your initial flight lessons will be approximately 1 hour of duration. This time frame will expand up to 1 1/2 hrs as your training progresses. You may choose to fly once a week iniatially and increase this to twice a week as you progress, the choise is entirely up to you. We also have a variety of payment methods. We except most major credit cards, personal cheques and cash. You may elect to pre-pay on your Account or pay as you go.

Some of the skills you will learn:

- pre-flight inspection                   - slow flight
- taxiing and ground handling         - side-slipping and turns
- take-off and landings                  - stalls and spirals
- straight and level flight              - navigation
- climbing and descending             - radio procedures

Step 4 The ground school. This portion of your training may be attended any time you desire. It is not neseccary to complete your ground school before you start flying. We offer both normal and custom schedules. Our normal scheduling is 6 consecutive Saturdays from 9 to 5 which allows for those students from out of town to attend with ease. This schedule is offered several times each year. Custom schedules include everything from 1 on 1 or group instruction to 6 consecutive week days and/or any other combination.

Topics include:

- aeronautics (theory of flight)              - weight and balance
- airframe, engines, maintenance          - licensing requirements
- air law and regulations                       - radio procedures
- air traffic rules and procedures            - navigation
- meteorology                                      - human factors & pilot decision making
- air traffic services                              - flight operations
- emergency procedures                        - airmanship

Age & Medical

Age Requirements:

Student Pilot Permit-Ultralight Aeroplane minimum age - 14 years
Pilot Permit-Ultralight Aeroplane minimum age - 16 years
Instructors Rating-Ultralight Aeroplane minimum age - 18 years
Note: There is NO maximum age.

Proof of Medical

Pilot Permit-Ultralight Aeroplane
A medical declaration is required for the Pilot Permit-Ultralight Aeroplane. This medical is a simple "self declared", Category 4, Civil Aviation Medical Declaration (Form 26-0297) with Part B completed by the applicant, which means that you (the applicant), read, complete and acknowledge that all is correct and is signed by you.The medical validity period for a Student Pilot Permit shall be 60 months.

Passenger Carrying Endorsement
Same Category 4 medical form as above except Part B completed by the applicant and Part C completed by a physician licensed to practice in Canada.
In the event that an applicant can not complete the form due to a medical condition that may be in question, then the applicant must be examined by a designated Transport Canada Medical Examiner.

Additional Courses Available

Passenger Carrying Rating - Ultralight Aeroplane

Advanced and Recurrency - Ultralight Aeroplane

Mountain Course - Ultralight Aeroplane

Instructor Rating - Ultralight Aeroplane

Conventional Pilot checkout