Pilot Permits Explained

To fly ultralights (see the panel on ìUltralightsî for information on what an ultralight is) in Canada, you’ll need an Ultralight Pilot Permit or a higher-level pilot permit or license such as a Recreational Pilot Permit (RPP) or a Private Pilot License (PPL).†

1. Steps to Obtain an Ultralight Pilot Permit:

The first thing you should do is find an instructor who will talk with you about how things are done in their flight training unit (FTU). But the following is a good guide:

Requirements:

You can take ground school and dual instruction before you get a student pilot permit (SPP) and before you get a medical certificate. But once you are ready to go solo you will need a SPP and to get that you will need a category 4 medical certificate.

Obtain a Student Pilot Permit:

To obtain a category 4 medical certificate you will need to complete a medical declaration (see the panel on ìMedicalî for more information). Transport Canada (TC) will then issue you a medical certificate. Once you have your medical certificate, TC or an authorized person will issue you your SPP. You must be at least 14 years of age.

Complete Training (see the panel on Flight Training for more information):

You will need to complete a minimum of 20 hours of ground school instruction and a minimum of 10 hours of flight time (including not less than 5 hours dual instruction and 2 hours solo flying). For powered parachutes a minimum of 5 hours flight time is required. The flight time is to include 30 takeoffs, circuits, and landings, 10 as sole occupant of the plane. You will also need to pass a written test. If you plan on flying in controlled airspace you will also need to obtain a Radio License.

Receive an Ultralight Permit:

If you have completed all of the above and achieved the age of 16, the application for the Ultralight permit is made and the back of the Student Pilot Permit may be certified for additional privileges for up to 90†days. This will allow the applicant to exercise the privileges of the permit or licence while the application is processed and the formal licence issued by Transport Canada. For powered parachutes you will obtain an Ultralight Permit restricted to powered parachutes.

2. Limitations:

With an Ultralight Permit, you may only fly during the day, in good weather and you may not carry passengers unless you have a passenger-carrying endorsement/rating.

3. Passenger Carrying Endorsement/Rating:

To be able to carry a passenger, in addition to the above, the following requirements must be met:

• obtain a category 4 medical signed by a medical doctor as opposed to the self declared application you obtained above,
• complete an additional 15 hrs flight time on ultralights of which 10 are dual and 3 are solo,
• complete a cross-country flight of 2 hours total including two 30-minute legs, and
• complete a flight test with a TC designated Pilot Examiner.

4. The Flight Instructor Rating Ultralight Aeroplane

Once you have your ultralight pilot permit you can become a flight instructor. This rating allows the holder to train ultralight pilots and ultralight instructors. It does not allow you to carry a passenger.

The requirements are:

• be at least 18 years of age,
• have an unrestricted Class 3 Medical or higher,
• take a Transport Canada approved ground school (from an ultralight flight instructor),
• take the Transport Canada written test, ULTRA,
• take a Transport Canada approved course of instructional techniques developed from Part 1 of the Flight Instructor Guide, take the Transport Canada written test on instructional techniques, FITEN and
• flight time includes a minimum of 50 hours on Ultralight aeroplanes, including not less than 5 hours dual instruction, 5 hours dual flight time on instructional techniques, and 25 hours solo.

If you currently hold a PPL-A or higher, the flight time is reduced from 50 hours on Ultralight Aeroplanes to 25. If you currently hold or have a held a Flight Instructors rating you are exempted from the ground school and FITEN test. Credits for the RPP holder are not available at this time.

5. Other Pilot Permits/Licenses:

Recreational Pilot Permit (RPP):

This permit allows you to fly during the day, in good weather conditions, carry passengers and it includes the ability to fly ultralights.

Private Pilot License (PPL-A):

This is a higher-level license that allows you to fly in more complex conditions and can also be used to fly ultralights.

6. Previously Licenced:

If you have had a PPL-A within the last 5 years and want an Ultralight Permit, the requirements are:

• have a Class 4 Medical,
• take a Transport Canada approved ground school,
• take the Transport Canada test ULTRA (Air Regulations, Procedures, etc.),
• flying time is reduced to 5 hours total including 2 hours dual, 2 hours solo and
• flight time to include 20 takeoffs, circuits, landings, 10 as sole occupant of the plane

If you currently hold a pilot’s license in any other category of aircraft and want an Ultralight Permit, the above requirement for the Transport Canada test ULTRA is deleted. If you currently hold a PPL-A, the requirement for the ground school is also deleted.

The flight times above must be completed within the 24 months preceding the filing of the license application.