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Commercial Pilot License

Western Community College > Programs > Aviation > Commercial Pilot License

Program Overview

Unlock the skies and elevate your career with Western Community College’s accredited Commercial Pilot License program. Our comprehensive training equips you with the knowledge and skills to take flight as a professional pilot.

The Commercial Pilot License is the gateway to a professional career in aviation. To work for a Commercial Air Service in Canada it is required that the pilot hold the Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
The Western Community College Commercial Pilot License (CPL) program focuses on preparing graduates to be skilled pilot by acquiring the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed. This program is intended for people who are looking to work in Commercial Air Service in Canada and get started with career in aviation as a commercial pilot.

Program Highlights:

  • Ground School Mastery: Lay the foundation for your flying career with rigorous theoretical training covering aviation principles, navigation, meteorology, and more.
  • Flight Training on CESSNA 172: Take to the skies on the renowned CESSNA 172, a trusted aircraft for pilot training worldwide. Our experienced instructors ensure you’re ready for the challenges of real-world aviation.
  • Time Building Opportunities: Gain invaluable experience with up to 90 hours of flight time, refining your skills and building confidence as you soar towards your CPL.
  • Prep School with PGI/GB: Perfect your techniques with up to 10 hours of advanced training, preparing you for the demands of commercial piloting.

Program Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

  • Students need to be a minimum of 18 years old.
  • Hold a valid Private Pilot License (PPL).
  • Pass the Aviation English Proficiency Test conducted by Western Community College with minimum 60% marks
  • CAT 4 or higher Aviation Medical Certification, it is mandatory to clear this medical evaluation before the start of your program. We highly advise applicants to prioritize the Transport Canada Aviation Medical Examination, as this process tends to have the lengthiest processing time.
    To find a Transport Canada certified medical examiner, visit: https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CAME-MEAC/l.aspx

Important Note:
If you are applying for this program from outside of Canada, it is highly recommended to get your medical certification done from your home country before arriving.

Additionally, If you are not a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident, you must apply for a Study Permit (visa) in order to study in Canada. Our past experiences showed that applicants who obtain an IELTS band score of at least 6.0 overall score with no bands less than 6.0 or an equivalent language test score have greater chances of having Study Permits approved by IRCC.

For detailed information about admission process and documents required, please talk to an admission advisor at Western Community College.

Financial Assistance

Western Community College offers a variety of financial aid opportunities to ease students’ stress and allow them to focus on their studies. If you need extra support, we have flexible funding to accommodate all our students, no matter their financial situation.

  • BC Student Loan
  • In-house Financing
  • Student Line of Credit

Our dedicated Financial Aid Officers will help you every step of the way.

Program Duration

  • Total of 12-14 Months
  • Minimum of 65 hours of flight training
  • Minimum of 80 hours ground school instruction
  • 90 hours of Time building
  • 20 preparatory hours

Program Outline

Below is outline of the core courses required for graduation.

Ground School

Commercial Pilot Groundschool Content

Aerodynamics and Theory of Flight:  Taught in our Abbotsford classroom.  Instructions on all the forces encountered flying an airplane.  How lift is generated and maximized.  Theory of lift and drag.  Aircraft stability and how it is achieved.

Airframes Engines and Systems:  Taught in our Abbotsford classroom.  Objective is to achieve a high level of understanding of all the components of an aircraft.  The knowledge required to comprehend how load factors affect an aircraft an how to utilize a formula that must be utilized.  Obtain and memorize all of the V-speeds of the aircraft that commercial training will take place on.  Learn operational understanding of weight and balance.  Memorize specific operational speeds.  Obtain thorough operational knowledge of how to utilize Personal and Maintenance Logbooks.  Pilot Operating handbooks.  Definition of elementary work as per the Company Maintenance Control Manual.

Air Regulations and Licensing: How to utilize the internet to be operational regarding the Canadian Aviation Regulation.  Minimum equipment lists for aircraft depending on where they operate.  Regulations and minimum requirements regarding licensing and ratings.  Recency requirements and Medical classifications

Human Factors and Pilot Decision Making: In classroom Abbotsford classroom.  Detailed analysis, discussion and how to utilize the physiology and psychology that needs to be utilized before Any flight takes place.  A lot of instructor experience and case studies will be used to obtain expertise in these subjects.  Crew Resource Management will also be covered as the majority of commercial flying is conducted in a multi-crew environment.

Meterology: Working knowledge of weather, more specifically, the levels of the atmosphere, cloud formation and weather associated.  Comprehension of thunderstorms and how to utilize Transport Canada forecasts for safe airmanship as well as success for the written exam.

Navigation: Obtain operational expertise in flight planning using maps and more specifically computes, ipads and GPS for successfully completing the cross country flights.  Also covering the use of and formulas to utilize VOR’s and ADF’s covering all topics regarding the Transport Canada exams

Radio Navigation: Classroom study and flight training regarding the more specific use of GPS, VOR and ADF and the theory involved with how these systems operate

Flight Instruments: In classroom instruction regarding all of the instruments the student will see and utilize in their flight training and further in their aviation career.   Theory on how all instruments operate will be covered.

Operations: How flights are dispatched, mandatory weight and balances conducted, use of the Pilot Operating handbook to determine take off distances and landing distances will be covered.  Mandatory Documentation, thorough knowledge of Emergency Procedures.  Fueling, maintenance requests will also be covered.

CPL

Course Name In-Class Hours
Aerodynamics and Theory of Flight 8
Airframe Engines and Systems 9
Air Regulations and Licensing 9
Human Factors and Pilot Decision Making 9
Meteorology 9
Navigation 9
Radio Navigation 9
Flight Instructors 9
Operations 9
CPL 102  – Flight Training 65
Preparatory Ground 20
Time Building  90
Total  255

Career Opportunities

Graduates of CPL program will gain specific skills in aviation and be job ready on graduating. This is also one of the Major requirement to get a job in Airline as First Officer Pilot and also Instructor in a Flying School. As a graduate from this program, you will be eligible for a number of job titles including:

  • VFR Charter Air Taxi
  • Photo Survey Pilot
  • Forest Fire Detection
  • Medical Evacuation
  • Airborne Traffic Watch
  • Airborne Banner Towing
  • Parachute Dropping
  • Forest Fire Suppression
  • Train towards Instructors Rating.

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Why Study at Western Community College

  • Installment-based, low tuition fee.
  • 100% Practicum Placement
  • Weekday, weekend, and evening classes optionally available
  • Part-time or full-time class schedule
  • Free CLB preparation classes * Conditions Apply
  • Graduate employment rate: 97%

Admissions Contact Information

Mon – Sunday 9:00A.M. – 5:00P.M.

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