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WHERE CAREERS TAKE OFF
ACA Self-Paced Programs: A Complete Range of Flight Training Solutions
Alberta College of Aeronautics offers a variety of flight training options for you to choose from. Select the self-paced program that’s right for you.
The Alberta College of Aeronautics is now taking applicants for the summer intake of the Accelerated Self-Paced Pilot (ASP) Training Program (May 1st, 2024 start).
Designed for students who wish to finish their pilot licensing while maintaining a flexible schedule. This program allows students to pursue their pilot licenses and ratings at their own pace, whether they wish to complete a private pilot license over the summer holidays, or complete their commercial and multi-ifr on evenings and weekends after work hours. This program provides students the support and resources they need to succeed in achieving their aviation goals.
*Aircraft & ALSIM rental along with Textbooks & Supplies are charged extra
Full instructional tuition:
Private Pilot Licence Ground School (Online Based)
Alberta College of Aeronautics Private Pilot Licence (PPL) Ground School consists of over 50 hours of instruction incorporating online packages.
In-House PPL Ground School
Alberta College of Aeronautics PPL Ground School course consists of over 50 hours of classroom instruction over a period of nine weeks. We also set you up with all the necessary materials, books and resources needed to be successful.
This course is designed and intended to prepare you to successfully pass the Transport Canada Private Pilot Licence – Aeroplane (PPAER) Written Exam.
PPL Ground School runs twice a week, every Tuesday and Thursday from 18:30 – 21:30.
Remember, you can join our ground school at any point throughout the semester and have access to classes for one year!
Online PPL Ground School
Alberta College of Aeronautics’ Online PPL Ground School is designed for you to work at your own pace on a fully interactive platform. Enroll at any point – we offer several interactive features to ensure your learning and success including:
The course is equipped with practice exams, downloadable study resources and is optimized for mobile, allowing you to work anywhere on the go. Lastly, our instructors break down each tested concept with real-world examples and formulas for your engagement and learning.
Alberta College of Aeronautics will provide a written recommendation for the Private Pilot Licence –Aeroplane (PPAER) written exam after 100% completion of the course and a successful mock written exam.
Flight Training
A minimum of 25 hours of flight training must be acquired. Of these 25 hours, a minimum of 15 hours must be dual hours, and five must be solo hours. During this training you’ll gain experience in navigation, aircraft ground handling, radio procedures, pre-flight inspections, and aircraft air handling through various air exercises.
There are no instrument-time requirements for this permit. A Category 4 medical or higher must be completed and can be completed by your Family Physician. The minimum age to obtain this permit is 16 years.
Ground School and Examinations
There is no ground school requirement for this permit, however we strongly suggest enrollment in our Private Pilot Ground School as it prepares you for the Transport Canada Written Exams, which is a requirement. You must obtain at least 60% on each of the four mandatory subjects: Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, and Aeronautics – General Knowledge. You must also complete a Recreational Pilot Flight test conducted by an approved Transport Canada Inspector or a Pilot Examiner.
Privileges
The holder of a Recreational Pilot Permit will have restrictions that Private Licence holders do not. This includes restricting aircraft operations within Canada only, operating aircraft with four seats or less and limiting the number of passengers on board to one.
Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
During training you gain extensive experience in aircraft handling, emergency procedures, radio procedures, navigation and basic instrument scanning.
Ground School and Examinations
Students must attend a minimum 40 hours of Private Pilot Ground School, in-house or online at Alberta College of Aeronautics. Throughout the course, you gain valuable knowledge on topics including Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, and Aeronautics – General Knowledge. Please feel free to refer to our current Private Pilot Ground School Schedule.
Private Pilot Ground School prepares you for the mandatory Private Pilot Transport Canada Written Examination, which Alberta College of Aeronautics can administer. To pass the exam, a candidate must obtain a minimum of 60% in each of the four knowledge sections. In addition, a flight test must be successfully completed by a flight test examiner. Lastly, you must also pass an oral English proficiency exam.
Privileges
A Private Pilot Licence allows the holder to fly single-pilot, on single-engine, non-high-performance aircraft, during day VFR operations. Further, you can upgrade your Private Pilot Licence to ratings such as a Night, VFR Over the Top, Multi-Engine and an Instrument Rating. Lastly, you can complete a Commercial Pilot’s Licence once you have a Private Pilot Licence. You can enroll in all of the above ratings and licences listed above at Alberta College of Aeronautics.
Night Rating Requirements
The road to becoming a Commercial Pilot begins with you working towards your Night Rating.
Alberta College of Aeronautics offers Night Rating courses specifically designed to get you finished efficiently and effectively for you to begin building your hours.
A minimum of 20 hours of flight training is required, 10 of which must be night flying, five must be dual including a minimum of two hours cross country. Five hours must be solo, this must include a minimum of 10 takeoffs and landings. The remaining 10 must be dual instrument training, of which five hours can be completed in the flight simulator. Five of the instrument hours can be obtained with your Private Pilot Licence training. There are no written or practical exams required, but your flight instructor will have to sign a recommendation for the rating.
Privileges
Allows the holder of the rating to fly at night in VFR conditions.
Private Pilot Licence
Within the 200 hours of flight training, pilots complete:
While in the Commercial Pilot Training Program, the pilot may complete:
You deserve a thrilling, ever-changing career that keeps your mind sharp. Contact us about getting your Commercial Pilot Licence today.
Ground School and Examinations
A total of 80 hours CPL Ground School is required for the Commercial Pilot Licence. Topics covered include Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, and General Aeronautical Knowledge. A mark of 60% is required on the Transport Canada Written Exam. A Commercial flight test must also be completed by a designated Transport Canada approved examiner.
*It is recommended to begin your Commercial Ground School as soon as possible in order to build the required flight hours while continuously studying for the written exam.
Multi-Engine Rating
Flight Training
In order to complete your Multi-Engine Rating you must already possess a Private Pilot Licence with a Category 1 or 3 medical. There is no minimum flight time required for training. A flight test must be passed with a designated examiner, but no written exam is required.
Explore and Reference Transport Canada’s Multi-Engine Rating Flight Test Guide Here
The holder of this rating will be able to fly any multi-engine, non-high-performance aircraft.
As the flagship of our college, our new DA-42 (registered C-FLRY) features two fuel injected turbocharged CD-155 engines. This aircraft can maintain 17,500 feet on just one engine. Compared to our previous twin engine aircraft, the PA-44 Seminole, the DA-42 is more economical and environmentally friendly to operate, as it burns jet fuel (a cheaper alternative to av-gas), as well as holding a significantly lower fuel consumption rate than our previous twin. Congruent with our belief in providing the most modern and safe fleet of aircraft for our students, the DA-42 also boasts an advanced suite of onboard systems, including the Garmin G1000 flight deck with GFC 700 autopilot, propeller and wing anti-ice, and the single lever EECU system, which aids the pilot in engine management.
Flight Training
Flight Training A total of 40 hours of instrument time must be accumulated; 20 hours of which can be completed in Alberta College of Aeronautics flight simulator. Instrument time accumulated during the Private, Night and Commercial training can be used towards this rating. The formal training requires a 100NM dual IFR cross-county to be completed. A total of 50 hours of cross-country pilot in command time is required for the rating as well.
There are different groups to this rating, which will give the holder different Privileges; a Group 1 rating is for Multi-Engine Aircraft, a Group 2 is for Multi-Engine, Center line Thrust aircraft and a Group 3 is for Single Engine aircraft.
Ground School and Examinations
There are no ground school requirements for this rating, however there are courses available to aid you in preparation for the written examination. Alberta College of Aeronautics has teamed up with INRAT Exam Prep to successfully prepare you for the INRAT Exam.
A new option for student pilots, ACA students will receive:
1. A 10% discount on the price of the INRAT Exam Prep course
2. A 33% discount on an annual Foreflight membership
INRAT Exam Prep utilizes an interactive student platform while integrating customized course content, audio/visual lectures, practice exams and instructor office hours to save you time and ensure your success on the Transport Canada INRAT Exam.
You must successfully pass the Transport Canada instrument written exam known as the INRAT and all flight time requirements must be met before taking the flight test.
Instructor Rating
Flight Training
The prerequisites for this rating are to be the holder of a Commercial Pilots Licence and have a Category 1 Medical. A total of 30 hours dual must be obtained, of which five must be instrument time. A maximum of five hours can be obtained in our flight simulator.
A total of 25 hours of ground instruction is required. This includes procedures for planning and presenting lesson ground instruction, pre-flight briefing and post flight briefings. Basic principles of learning factors, instructional techniques, preparation and use of lesson plans are also taught. The holder becomes proficient with the Flight Instructor Guide, Flight Training Manual, Canadian Aviation Regulations and Flight Test Standards. Completion of a Transport Canada written exam and a flight test with a designated examiner will be required.
Privileges
This rating allows the holder to teach students how to fly for the purpose of obtaining a permit, licence or rating.
Student Loans
Students registered in the iATPL Diploma Program will be eligible for Alberta Student Loan funding pending program licensing with Alberta Education (expected summer 2023).
Admission Requirements
for Self-Paced Programs
14 years of age or older*
Category 1 or 3** Aviation Medical (see list of approved medical examiners)
*Students may start flight training on a Student Pilot Permit at the age of 14 but may not license until the age of 17.
**Category 1 or 3 Medical is accepted for Private Pilot Licence only. Commercial Pilot Licence requires Category 1
– Students will learn how to correctly search and interpret the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), and how it applies to flight operations.
– Students will understand how human factors affect flight safety and apply good pilot decision-making skills on the ground and in-flight.
– Students will understand the effects of weather and atmosphere on aircraft operations.
– Students should be able interpret NavCanada weather products and identify the hazards of operating in adverse weather conditions such as icing, turbulence and thunderstorms
– Students will understand the theory and methodology of VFR Flight Planning.
– Students will effectively utilize aeronautical maps and charts and apply their knowledge to plan their own VFR flight routes, navigation logs and ICAO flight plans
– Students will be able to explain aircraft components and systems, and how to prevent and compensate for in-flight failures and emergencies
– Students will understand the function and use of flight instruments, including Radio Navigation Aids, GPS and autopilot
– Students will understand the theory of flight exercises and how aerodynamics apply to aircraft performance
– Students will be able to explain and apply legal and practical requirements for flight, as well as understand the effects of various environmental conditions on flight performance.
– Students will understand and apply the mathematical skills and techniques for the safe operation of aircraft in all phases of flight
– Students will understand the properties of the physical forces that affect aircraft in all phases of flight.
– Students will complete the Transport Canada ground and flight requirements and obtain a Night Rating
– Students will learn about advanced illusions and Human Factors applicable to flights at night
– This course focuses on the navigational aspects of aircraft operations.
– Students will complete Transport Canada cross-country flight training requirements required to hold a Commercial Pilot’s license
– Students will learn the applicable Canadian Aviation Regulations which apply to Commercial Aviation Operations
– Students will complete Transport Canada cross-country flight training requirements required to hold an Instrument Rating
– Students will apply Radio Navigation and GNSS/GPS cross country flying techniques.
– Students will analyze past aviation incidents and accidents, determining the impact and underlying root causes of human and pilot decision making errors
– Students will evaluate various flight scenarios and identify risks and safety hazards that may affect safe operations using practical scenarios.
– Students will understand the principles of multi-engine aerodynamics, minimum controllable airspeed, and systems commonly found on multi-engine aircraft
– Students will learn the Transport Canada Regulations and Standards pertinent to flying multi engine aircraft in instrument conditions
– Students will learn aircraft systems for a specific advanced multi engine aircraft.
– Students will complete simulator training towards the completion of a multi-engine and instrument rating in accordance with Transport Canada requirements
– Students will learn standard operating procedures and cockpit callouts in a two-crew environment.
– Students will learn crew resource management techniques and safety management systems.
– Students will work together in pairs to successfully complete IFR flight training in a two-crew simulator.
– Students will apply crew resource management techniques and safety management systems.
– Students will complete the Transport Canada Multi Engine (Integrated) skill requirements and obtain a Multi-Engine Rating
– Students will complete the Transport Canada Instrument Rating (Integrated) skill requirements and obtain an Instrument Rating.