General questions about learning to fly

Aviation Medicals

• Is my International aviation medical ok for use in Canada?
  I just completed a medical for my visa is this medical ok for the aviation medical?
• Do I need a medical to start lessons?
• Where/How do I Schedule a Medical?
• Do I need perfect vision to fly? For the airlines?
  What are the types of medicals?

• What is the difference between the FAA, JAA and Transport Canada Private Pilot Licence?

• Can I convert a Canadian Pilot Licence into a (INSERT COUNTRY) Pilot Licence?
• Can I convert my (INSERT COUNTRY) Licence into a Canadian Pilot Licence?
• What is the ICAO (International Cival Aviation Organization?

• How can I convert from a Canadian Pilot licence into a JAA licence?

• I'm (XX) years old? It that too old to fly?
• I'm (XX) years old? Am I old enough?

• Is it hard to learn to fly?

• I completed some flight training (XX) years ago.  Can I still use this flight time and complete my licence?

• What is the difference between the Classes of Instructor Ratings?

• Do I get a Private Pilot Licence or a Recreational Pilot Licence?

Aviation Questions

• What are some questions I should be asking instructors and flying schools?
• Where should I learn to fly at?
  Uncontrolled (no air traffic control)
  Controlled (air traffic control)
• What is an uncontrolled airport?
• What is a controlled airport?
• What do airplanes cost to buy?
• Is it cheaper to own my own aircraft?
• What is VFR? IFR?
  What are FTD (Flight Training Devices)?
  Hints on saving money during your flight training

Is my international medical good in Canada?
The answer depends. It depends on what you want to do in Canada. If you only want to fly recreational (to build hours), then your international medical is ok. If you want a Professional licence in Canada you'll have to obtain a Canadian aviation medical. See below on obtaining a Canadian medical.

I just completed a medical for my visa or class one drivers licence. Is this medical ok for the aviation medical?
It's probably a similar test, but a Canadian aviation medical must be completed.

Can I convert a Canadian Pilot Licence into a (INSERT COUNTRY) Pilot Licence?
Yes. Canada is an ICAO country. All Flying Hours are transferable. Some countries will require written of flight test to convert.

How can I convert from the Canadian Pilot licence into a JAA licence?
Check out our JAA conversion page.

Can I convert my (INSERT COUNTRY) Licence into a Canadian Pilot Licence?
Yes. For the procedures visit our license conversion page.

What is the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization?
The United Nations of flying. They try to standardize aviation world wide. Currently there is no "International Aviation Licence". Perhaps in the future.

How long does it take to learn to fly and complete the courses?
That depends on you and the courses you want to complete.
We allow students to progress at their own pace and schedule.

• Students may complete the courses part time or full time.

• Part time students might take about 4-5 months to complete the Private Licence, the Commercial Licence would take 24-30 months. Students can train on weekends, weekdays, evenings, ect.

• Students can complete the course in stages. Or complete the Private Licence, and then continue training for the Commercial a year later for example.

• Some students will train in "shifts". For example 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off.

• Students can complete the training full time. Flying 2-4 hours in a day. Training at this pace would complete the Private licence in 3-6 weeks, Commercial Licence in 3 months. IFR in one month.

• Students who are staying in the Harv's Air accommodations must be full time students.

I'm (XX) years old? It that too old to fly?
No, there is no maximum age to learn to fly. The only requirement is too pass the medical. The oldest student we've trained was 66.

I'm (XX) years old? Am I old enough?
Solo at 14. Recreational Permit at 16. Private Licence at 17. Commercial Licence at 18. One can start to learn to fly before 14...however you may not solo until your 14 birthday.

Is it hard to learn to fly?
Anything in life that is valuable takes some work. Actually flying the airplane is similar to driving a standard shift car in terms of hand/eye coordination. The ground school material is written at a grade 9 level. There is nothing in the ground school that is rocket science, what surprises people is how much has to be learned and then brought together.

I completed some flight training (XX) years ago.  Can I still use this flight time and complete my licence?
Yes. However you will still need to get your self up to the current standard of currency and ability.

Do I need a medical to start lessons?
No, you need a medical to fly solo.

What are the types of medicals?

Recreational	Cat 4	Family Doctor	Valid for 5 year	No Cost
Private	Cat 3	Aviation Doctor	Valid for 5 year	60$ in Steinbach
Commercial	Cat 1	Aviation Doctor	Valid for 1 year	110$ in Steinbach

Where/How do I Schedule a Medical?
Just call one of the following doctors. Listing of some aviation doctors in Manitoba that we recommend. To find more aviation doctors, visit this page: Click here for a search for Canadian Aviation Medical Doctors

Horn	Steinbach Family Medical Clinic	(204) 326 3401
Kati, A	Kati Medical Centre, A3558 Pembina Highway,	(204) 261-1411
Lowden, C.S.	Wildwood Medical Centre, 1151 Pembina Hwy., Lower Level	(204) 452-3345
Shnider, M.	201 - 1151 Pembina Hwy.	(204) 474-1391
Young, J.D.	Assiniboine Clinic 633 Lodge Ave.	(204) 958-6705
Fogel, M.L.	Air Canada Medical Clinic Air Canada Cargo Bldg. 209-2020 Sargent Ave	(204) 783-7070

Do I need perfect vision to fly? For the airlines?
No. Vision must be correctable to 20/20.

Do you fly in actual instrument conditions?
Yes. Do not be misled by any excuse regarding not flying in actual instrument conditions. As you compare schools, ask about their policy regarding flight under actual instrument conditions. Flying under the hood is not the same as flying actual   instruments. Some very "prestigious" schools do not allow flight under actual instrument conditions. We slow down only for ice and convective activity.

Should I learn to fly at a uncontrolled (no air traffic control) or (controlled airport? 
There are advantages and disadvantages of the two types of airports. We feel that  an uncontrolled airports located near controlled airports is the best for your training experience. The following table best describes our feelings on the subject. Click Here To Compare

What is an uncontrolled airport?
Airport with no control tower. In North American 95% of airport are uncontrolled. Due to government cutbacks this number is on the rise. An uncontrolled airport is just as safe as an controlled airport.

What is a controlled airport?
Airport with a control tower. This means delays. More traffic. Fees. Training aircraft's have the lowest priority in a controlled airport.

What do airplanes cost to buy?
Basic used Cessna 150 (2 seats) $30,000
Basic used Cessna 172 (4 seats) $65,000
New Cessna 172 (4 seats) $230,000 Canadian Funds
New Cessna Citation Jet (8 seats) $5,000,000 Canadian Funds

Is it cheaper to own my own aircraft?
Maybe, but not by a lot. One must fly over 200 hours a years to justify owning an aircraft for financial reasons over renting. Fixed cost are high. Most people own their own airplane for convenience and pride.

What is VFR? IFR?
A way of flying.
VFR –VISUAL FLIGHT REFERENCE: Flying by looking out the window.
IFR – INSTRUMENT FLIGHT REFERENCE Flying by reference to the instruments.

What is the difference between the Classes of Instructor Ratings?
This is the Canadian system of Instructors:

Hints on saving money during flight training
FLY OFTEN
Pursuing flight training in as short an amount of elapsed time as possible will ensure that you are learning something new each time you go out, instead of trying to re-learn things you were taught last time. As a minimum, try to fly once or twice per week.

PLAN YOUR TRAINING INTELLIGENTLY
Where the requirements for one course are covered in another course, make sure you take the courses in an order so as to minimize the amount of flying you have to do. For instance, doing the instrument rating and the commercial pilot licence concurrently may minimize the amount of instrument training you will have to do.

USE THE SIMULATOR
Harv's Air has a certified instrument flight simulator on premises, and most courses involving instrument training allow a portion of that training to be performed on a flight simulator. Simulator time is substantially less expensive than flight time.

PREPARE FOR LESSONS
The more time and preparation you put into preparing for the next lesson the more you will get out of it. Prepare for the lesson by reading the manuals, memorizing the procedures, and visualizing the exercises.

STICK WITH ONE INSTRUCTOR
When you are starting out, fly with a couple of instructors. Once you find one you like, stick with that instructor - it will minimize the time it takes you to get your licence or rating (which reduces the overall costs).

Do I get a Private Pilot Licence or a Recreational Pilot Licence?
Check out this page