(Updated Aug. 2020) I’ve been taking the time to reflect back on where I started as a student pilot. If I had the option to go back and start all over again with becoming a Private Pilot in Canada, these are the steps I wish someone would’ve told me so that I could’ve done this process much more conveniently and efficiently.Let’s start this week with quick look back at the first 4 steps I’ve written about:
Step #1 – The Medical Exam – you should find out if you are healthy enough to be able to get your Category 3 Medical, which is required by Transport Canada in order to become a Private Pilot in Canada. Read more about it here.
Step #2 – The Radio Exam – my advice based on my experience was to start studying for this sooner rather than later. Understanding the radio communications while you take your flight lessons will help you become a pilot quicker with less confusion. Read more about it here.
Step #3 – The PSTAR Exam – My reason for putting this in at number 3 was so that you could get the idea of the kind of information you’ll need to learn and follow as a pilot. If you remember from that article, the PSTAR Exam is something you’ll need to pass prior to flying solo for the first time. If you had a chance to check out my free PSTAR App, then you get the idea of the Air Regulations. If you’re going to become a pilot and learn how to fly, these are the rules, and more importantly, this is the kind of information that you’ll need to study in order to get your Private Pilot Licence.
Step #4 – Ground School and Flight Lessons – ideally, start these both at the same time. As you learn things in ground school, it will help your learning process in your flight lessons; and as you learn in your flight lessons, it will help inform what you are learning in ground school. You can read more here.
Ground School Kit – Considerations
When you do your ground school, whether that’s in a classroom at your local flying club or if you take an online ground school like we offer here at Hangaaar, there are some items you should consider purchasing. The purpose of Ground School is to understand various components of your aircraft; how airplanes are built, the theory of flight, as well as various aircraft performance operations and flight planning. You’ll likely be told by your flying club that there’s a whole list of items they recommend you purchase to help you with your ground school. The list may look something like this:- $69.95 – From the Ground Up – see example here
- $29.95 – From the Ground Up workbook – see example here
- $59.95 – RCAF Weather Manual – see example here
- $59.95 – RCAF Weather Manual workbook – see example here
- $134.95 – CX-3 Flight computer (see an online CX3 example here… but you’ll need your own for your TC exam or Flight Test.)
- $2.95 – Chart ruler – see example here
- $8.95 – Douglas Protractor – see example here
- $16.50 – Local VNC chart – see examples here
From the Ground Up
From the Ground Up is a standard text that many flight schools across Canada recommend. It’s a thick book that really digs into the details of all aspects of aviation. The workbook that goes with it helps test you on what you’re learning from the book.
As the name implies, From the Ground Up includes A LOT of information, some might argue that it’s too much for the Private Pilot level as it goes into really fine details for everything “From the Ground Up.”
RCAF Weather Command Manual
The RCAF Weather Manual and workbook are less daunting to read, but they still provide a lot of details about weather.
E6b Flight Calculator or CX3 Flight Computer (manual vs. digital)
There are a few flight schools that recommend you learn the “E6B” in order to do your flight computer calculations, however, the majority of flight schools in Canada seem to recommend a digital flight computer such as the CX3 Flight Computer instead because you can learn how to use it in a few minutes AND you’ll get a more accurate answer. Our Hangaaar online ground school courses provide videos on how to use either the manual E6B or the digital CX3 flight computer and it seems like most students prefer to invest in the digital flight computer.
Local VNC (VFR Navigation Charts)
The local VNC you purchase depends on which area of Canada you’re learning in. (Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto VNC, etc… ) You’ll want the one depicting the area of Canada where you’re learning to fly so that you can become familiar with the legend and all the symbols on the chart. You’ll need this for your cross-country planning with your flight computer, Douglas Protractor and Chart Rule. (Yes, they call it a chart rule although many refer to it as a ruler with an r.)
Other flight schools recommend things like a hard copy of the Aeronautical Information Manual (the AIM), the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) for Private Pilots, and a current copy of the Canada Flight Supplement (CFS). These are all available online (links are provided in our online ground school). I suppose it’s a personal choice if you’d prefer to have printed versions or digital versions of these. Personally, I prefer a digital version that I know is current and relevant because these do change and get upgraded over time. (ie: The CFS is updated every 56 days. The AIM every year. The CARs are updated periodically.) I prefer accessing the most current one by doing so online from anywhere.
These items can be purchased from VIP Pilot Supplies online or by telephone. They ship items overnight if you order by 4 p.m. Eastern time.
