Flight instructor license

The instructor license allows passionate pilots to pass on their passion to future recruits, while gaining valuable experience for their future careers.

Training schedule

Obtaining a flight instructor license requires 30 hours of flight time and 25 hours of theoretical training. A flight instructor is first and foremost a pilot. Before beginning this training, candidates must meet two prerequisites:

• hold a valid CPL(H);
• have accumulated 250 hours of flight time as a pilot in command. For information purposes, a student completing their CPL-H training has only 35 hours of flight time as a pilot in command and will therefore need to acquire an additional 215 hours before being able to enroll in this training program.

The training covers learning methods and teaching techniques, lesson preparation, in-depth helicopter mechanics and operating limits, flight manuals, official regulations and guidelines, and pilot decision-making processes.

Theoretical lessons are individual and given in blocks of 2 to 3 hours. Practical lessons are conducted on Robinson RH22 and RH44 aircraft.

The theoretical program runs concurrently with the flights. The training schedule consists of three theory classes and two flights per week, and lasts for three months full-time. If you are employed during your training, we can arrange a study schedule that suits your availability.

Job prospects

A career as a flight instructor offers many advantages: the positions available are full-time, sedentary, with regular working hours.

In general, flight schools in Canada are experiencing labor shortages and are constantly looking for flight instructors. It is relatively easy to find a job in this field.

Becoming an instructor also allows you to quickly accumulate flight hours while improving your piloting skills. Although most of the hours are logged on piston helicopters, this allows you to quickly reach the minimum requirements set by airlines for flying turbine helicopters.

The future instructor must be motivated to adapt to different personality types in order to deliver consistently high-quality teaching, have excellent organizational skills, and demonstrate patience when necessary.