Flight Training

Glacier Air’s flight training facility is based at the Squamish Municipal Airport (CYSE) at 46001 Government Road, Squamish, BC, Canada. We are located 50 minutes north of Vancouver and 35 minutes south of Whistler, BC.

Transport Canada regulations require that a person must be at least 14 years of age to hold a Student Pilot Permit (required for solo flight), 16 to hold a Recreational Pilot Permit, 17 to hold a Private Pilot Licence, and 18 to hold a Commercial Pilot Licence. There is no maximum age. You can start flying at any age as long as you are mature and dedicated and tall enough to reach the aircraft controls. We have had students as young as 12 begin flight lessons and those “young at heart” beginning at age 71!

In order to get a pilot licence, you must take a medical exam from a Transport Canada approved Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (slightly different rules apply for a student pilot permit or a recreational pilot permit – ask us). We recommend competing the medical exam before commencing flight training. The process can take several months. We can supply a list of doctors in the area who can do the exam. Some medical conditions can be disqualifying. If you have a history of heart problems, epilepsy, Type 1 diabetes, head trauma, vision or hearing problems, you may not be able to pass a pilot medical. Please check the Transport Canada Civil Aviation Medicine web page and/or talk to one of our instructors if you are unsure if you are fit to fly.

The cost to complete your Private Pilot training and any other flight training will vary. Every student learns at a different pace. We have provided average costs for training on this web page for your reference. Glacier Air does NOT require that you pay for your training in advance with the exception of Ground School, which you pay at the commencement of the course. All flight training is pay-as-you-go and each lesson is invoiced and paid at the end of the lesson. Glacier Air accepts Visa, MasterCard, Debit, and cash. All prices indicated on this web page are in Canadian currency.

Transport Canada requires a minimum of 45 hours of flight training, including both dual training with an instructor and solo flight; however, the national average to complete the PPL training is over 80 flight hours. In addition to flight training, each student must also complete a minimum 40 hours of ground school and pass written and practical exams. Most Glacier Air students take approximately 60 flight hours to complete their licence within a 6 to 12 months time period. For every hour in the air and in ground school, anticipate putting in an additional 3 hours of self study to succeed.  The length of time, flight hours and money it takes you to learn to fly will depend entirely on the time and energy you devote to study and practice.