Please refer to other Information posted on this site for specific program breakdowns and information about Pacific Flying Club.

PACIFIC FLYING CLUB, VANCOUVER, CANADA - "WE'RE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA!"

Why Canada?

Whether you are interested in learning to fly for a career, looking for an aviation adventure, or just want to enjoy the thrill of flight, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada is the aviation destination for you!

What are the advantages of training in Canada?  Your flight training costs are almost cut in half with our very favorable exchange rate.  Canadian licenses are internationally recognized and we offer a safe, stable training environment with spectacular scenery second to none.  The airspace is less congested than many British locations and training airports have no landing fees.

Why Vancouver, British Columbia?

Once you have chosen Canada as your flying destination, where should you go?  Vancouver is located on the west coast of British Columbia and is the most scenic city in Canada.  With the Rocky Mountains, Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf Islands at your doorstep, your flying will be awe inspiring as you soar among some of the most beautiful areas in Canada.  The school is a one hour flight north of Seattle, Washington, home of Boeing Aircraft.  Popular destinations for longer flights include Alaska, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and a trip over the Rocky Mountains.

Why Pacific Flying Club?

Pacific Flying Club is the first accredited flight training centre in Vancouver, British Columbia.  Being accredited by the Private Post Secondary Education Commision of British Columbia means our school, staff, and programs have been evaluated and held to a high standard.

The Club is the largest flight training centre in British Columbia with a fleet of 20 aircraft and two simulators.  Founded in 1965, the Club was originally known as the Canadian Pacific Airlines Flying Club.  The Club is a not for profit organization meaning any excess of revenues over expenditures are used for equipment upgrading and acquisition.  The Club also has the most extensive insurance coverage available.

Attending School In Canada

If you are a non-Canadian and are considering enrolling in one of Pacific Flying Club's pilot programs, you must meet some important immigration requirements.  If you are not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, you must obtain a student authorization.

A student authorization form is issued by an immigration officer at any Canadian visa office.  It allows you, after your admittance, to remain in Canada for formal flight training.  Husbands and wives of holders of a valid student authorization are eligible for an open employment authorization (provided they are not full time students themselves) to enable them to take up employment in Canada.  This can be obtained only after arrival in Canada.

To apply for authorization you must have a valid passport, proof of funding to support yourself while in Canada, a letter of acceptance from Pacific Flying Club, and an application fee and form for Immigration Canada.  We encourage students to refer to the booklet "Entering Canada to Study or To Work," which is available from any Canada Customs office, Canadian Consulate or by contacting: Revenue Canada, Customs & Excise, Travellers Directorate, MacKenzie Ave., Ottawa, ON KIA 0L5 CANADA.

Detailed Information for Foreign Students

COURSE DURATION OF LESS THAN SIX MONTHS
To be admitted to Canada , an international student will not require a Canadian Student Visa from the Canadian Immigration Authorities if the length of stay in Canada and training program is less than six months duration. For studies of less than six months, you can enter Canada as a Visitor. Some countries require a Visitor's Visa to enter Canada . Some do not. Students should visit the following site for information on which countries require a visitor's visa: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.html or contact their nearest Canadian embassy or consulate or their travel agent. Students do not require a formal letter of acceptance from the school. We recommend you advise us of your arrival date so that we may plan your bookings.

COURSE DURATION OF MORE THAN SIX MONTHS
A student visa is required for all programs/courses of more than six months duration. The following links provide specific information required by the student:

• Info rmation from Citizenship and Immigration Canada for foreign students: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.html
• Application for Study Permit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english.pdf/kits/forms/IMM1294B.PDF or http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/student.html
• Listing of Canadian Consulates and Embassies: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/offices/missions.html

One of the requirements for the application to obtain a student visa to immigration authorities is an original Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian school. Letters of Acceptance from Pacific Flying Club are issued upon receipt of the following information:

1. Name
2. Address
3. Telephone
4. Email contact
5. Emergency contact
6. Date and Place of Birth
7. Expected date of arrival in Canada
8. Expected duration of stay in Canada
9. Courses applied for
10. Photocopy of passport
11. Deposit of $500 C$ by credit card or couriered certified cheque of which $250 is refundable if the student does not attend classes. Letters of acceptance are sent via post (2-4 weeks at no charge) or by Fed Ex courier for $100.

Students will be required to provide the Canadian Immigration officials with proof of available financing for their program of study and living expenses in Canada . As a rule of thumb, students should budget a minimum of $10,000 for living expenses per year.

Students are advised that some countries may take up to 90 days to process the required documentation and that delays may be encountered if the student does submit all required documentation to the immigration authorities.

DURATION OF STUDIES
Generally, based on full time study, allow the following timeframes to complete a course:

• Private Pilot Licence – minimum of two months (student must be highly proficient and encounter no weather disruptions or delays). Four months is recommended
• Commercial Pilot Licence – assuming the student holds the PPL and requires approximately 150 hours of flying, allow four months assuming no weather disruptions or delays; again, student must be highly proficient). Six months is recommended
• Multi Engine Rating – allow one month
• Multi IFR Rating – allow two months

The time of year will also affect student completion times. For instance, November, December and January present more inconsistent weather and may impact a student's ability to complete in minimum times.

ACCOMMODATION
Pacific Flying Club recommends student's be booked in one or two local bed and breakfasts within walking distance of the school. Once there, they can opt to make long term arrangements with the owners or look for more suitable accommodation based on their needs and preferences. Many students will opt to rent a room in a house or a furnished apartment.

CONVERSION OF CANADIAN LICENCES TO FOREIGN LICENCES -
Students are strongly advised to contact their local civil aviation office to confirm the requirements for the Canadian licenses to be converted to a license in their country of origin. Canada is an ICAO country and meets the ICAO standards. Requirements for the conversion of foreign licenses to Canadian licenses should be confirmed with Transport Canada ( www.tc.gc.ca ) or the local civil aviation authorities. Generally, for a foreign commercial license to be converted to a Canadian Commercial License, the student must meet the requirements of the Canadian License in terms of time, experience, instrument and cross country time as well as do the Canadian written examination and flight test. For the PPL, the conversion to a Canadian license often involves no more than a Canadian medical, the presolo written test and the foreign PPL. However, some countries may be different. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they meet the licensing requirements of their country of origin.

Prior to issuing a "proof of unconditional acceptance" letter to Immigration Canada, PFC will require the following:

• Completed application form including a processing fee of $500 Canadian payable with the application.

• Minimum age 19 or completion of high school

• Valid Category 1 or 3 Medical (every ICAO country has medical examiners approved by Transport Canada to conduct pilot examinations)

Sightseeing/ Time Building

You will not match scenic British Columbia for spectacular destinations.  You can go whale watching on the West Coast, see Whistler from above, experience the beauty of glacial lakes, or simply fly over beautiful Vancouver and the surrounding area.

Transport Canada will now issue a Limited Term Pilot License and Medical Certificate (LTPL/MC).  The LTPL/MC is based on a valid foreign pilot license and the medical document validating that license.  As a result this will permit foreign pilot license holders to fly in Canadian registered aircraft internationally for private recreational purposes (such as hour building).  The holder of this license may act as pilot-in-command or co-pilot of any aircraft for the sole purpose of his or her own flight training or flight test.  The LTPL/MC shall not exceed 90 days and may only be issued to an applicant once in any 12 month period.  There is a $25 licensing fee payable to Transport Canada.

Payment

Advance payment for flying is not required.  Pacific Flying Club accepts all major credit cards and all flying is on a "pay as you fly" basis.

Working in Canada

New immigration regulations permit students who complete their Commercial Pilot Licence and Instructor Rating to work in Canada as a flight instructor for a period of six months, which is renewable subject to a labour market assessment.  This new policy is essentially similar to the American J-1 Visa.  Students interested in this opportunity should contact the local Canadian Immigration Office or at http://cicnet.ci.gc.ca .

Housing

Boundary Bay Airport is a 15 minute drive south of Vancouver International Airport.  Accommodation range from homes with room and board facilities to shared accommodation to bed and breakfasts to full rentals of homes and apartments.  Room and board facilities will cost about $600 per month, a one bedroom apartment will rent for about $575 per month, and bed and breakfast facilities will cost about $85 per night.

Medical

A Category 1 Medical from a Transport Canada approved Civil Aviation Medical Examiner is required for Commercial flight training in Canada.  (A Category 3 Medical is required for Private Flight Training.)  Please check http://www.tc.gc.ca/aviation/cam/came.htm for a listing of these doctors in your area.

 

More information about requirements for student Entry to Canada available at http://www.canada.org.uk/visa-info/