The Best Flight Schools in Canada

Do you dream of visiting different countries while getting paid for it? Are you looking for an office that, hands down, offers the most spectacular view? Do you want to feel an absolute energy rush as you start your workday? Then, it is time to consider a career as a pilot. Canada can be your choice for pilot training. The best pilot academy in Canada offers end-to-end aviation training to aspiring candidates so they are equipped to soar high.

Now is the right time for aspiring pilots to get their seats in the cockpit. The industry is still recovering from the severe labor shortage between 2019 and 2022. The number of commercial pilot licenses fell by 80% in this period.

The government of Canada also issued a statement stating that the field has less supply but that the demand is higher. It is the right time for those looking to make it as a pilot to look for the best flight schools in Canada.

But why look for a pilot academy in Canada?

Why Choose Flight Schools in Canada?

People often search for the best flight schools in Canada because of the strong aviation industry the country boasts of. Canada becomes a desirable avenue of pilot training for the following reasons:

High-quality training: Canada has rigorous and highly-regarded pilot training programs, no matter where the facility is located. One can be assured of its credibility.
Strong aviation market: As stated before, the Canadian industry has a more significant demand, but the supply has not kept up.
Cost-effective training: For the kind of training one will get in Canada, the cost is lower if we compare it with countries like the USA. This can open doors for promising candidates who, at times, let go of their dreams because pilot training can be a very expensive undertaking.
Good weather conditions: Ample clear skies and good flying conditions are two criteria that can make an in-training pilot feel more confident about their capabilities. Canada offers just that.
Post-graduation opportunities: There are plenty of pathways for international students to get a job once their training is complete and they have their license.

Best Flight Schools in Canada

Seneca School of Aviation

Location: Toronto

When searching for the best pilot schools in Canada, one cannot start the list without mentioning Seneca. Located in Toronto, this aviation school has been serving the industry for 50+ years now. Over the years, it has established an international reputation for quality graduates, leading industry partnerships, and renowned faculty. The school also has campuses in Newnham and Peterborough.

What Makes it Different: Seneca prides itself on offering an experiential learning program for pilots. This includes a mandatory work term with 420 hours of on-the-job experience. In addition, students at Seneca have access to a world-class cadet program for which the school has partnered with Air Canada Jazz. Graduates are fully equipped to take on a career as pilots or even in aligning areas like flight instruction, air traffic control, or civil aviation inspection.

Learning Module: Successful completion of the pilot training program involves 8 semesters of study from an exhaustive list of courses ranging from mechanics to communications.

Programs on Offer: The school offers an Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology, in addition to an Aviation Safety Program and an Aviation Operations Program

Aircraft Fleet: Beechcraft B58; Cessna 172; G1000 Beechcraft B58; G1000 Cessna 172

Flight Simulators: B200 Turboprop; CRJ 200 Regional Jet Simulator; Redbird Crosswind Simulator

Mount Royal University

Location: Calgary

Mount Royal University easily makes the list of the best flight training schools in Canada. And right so. With over 40 years of experience, the institution delivers an essential mix of aviation and business training. The school also has a substantial international student population from over 20 countries. And the student-to-teacher ratio stands at 9:1.

What Makes it Different: There is a reason why MRU is one of the best flight schools in Canada. That's because of their Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI)-accredited program. They are one of the two universities that have this. This means that the enrolled students get the highest caliber of pilot training. They also have the Jazz Pathway Program. The program offers any student with a 3.0 GPA an interview for a First Officer position with Jazz Airways.

Learning Module: The institution blends aviation and business theory, so students are equipped to handle both a pilot's job and on-the-ground responsibilities. Some necessary courses include aviation law, management principles, statistics, and wilderness survival.

Programs on Offer: Advanced Diploma and a Commercial Pilot License

Aircraft Fleet: Cessna 172; Twin-engine Seneca V

Flight Simulators: Alsim ALX 20; Frasca Mentor; Redbird Crosswind Trainer

Centennial College

Location: Greater Toronto

Operating for over 45 years, Centennial College is a highly-regarded pilot academy in Canada. As an institution, the school has put in substantial work to transform itself from a local community college to a global institution with an international reputation. Currently, the school boasts of over 200,000 alumni.

What Makes it Different: Leading pilot training in Canada is not easy if one looks at the competitors, but Centennial College has created a niche with its offering. The school has a transport pilot license program as well. The institution has also forged meaningful partnerships with industry names like Air Canada and Bombardier to keep their programs equipped with the evolving changes and demands of the industry.

Learning Module: The training is intensive, with ground school taking place online and on-the-ground training being done at Oshawa. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Crew Resource Management (CRM), Multi-crew Cooperation (MCC), and Scenario-Based Training (SBT) are just some of the areas students are introduced to.

Programs on Offer: The school has a two-year CIATPL certificate program and diplomas in Aircraft Maintenance – Aviation Technician, Avionics Maintenance – Aviation Technician, and Avionics Maintenance and Management – Aviation Technology.

Aircraft Fleet: Cessna 152; Cessna 172S; Piper Seminole

Flight Simulators: Cessna 172S; King Air C90

Mount Allison University

Location: Sackville

Mount Allison University figures among the best flight training schools in Canada. The school has a multidisciplinary approach to training and also provides an elite pilot training course delivered by MFC Training.

What Makes It Different: The university is considered the top since it combines professional flight training with undergraduate studies in Science, Commerce, or Arts. Whatever you choose, you will graduate with a Commercial Pilot License and an undergraduate degree.

Learning Module: As a potential student, you will learn how to operate a multi-crew, multi-engine aircraft. The fundamentals include concepts such as navigation, meteorology, and even law. Eighty hours of ground school is mandatory, with 200 hours in the air.

Programs on Offer: Students can choose their specialty, like BSc, BCom, or BA, with a Commercial Pilot License.

Aircraft Fleet: Cessna 172 M; DA20-C1 Eclipse; King Air C90B; Piper Seminole PA44-180

Western University

Location: Ontario

Touted often as the best flight academy in Canada is Western University. The school has more than 43,000 full-time students. The school's innovative approach to aviation program is geared towards maximizing students' chances of industry success.

What Makes it Different: The school has developed a one-of-its-kind pilot training program for its Commercial Aviation Management (CAM) degree. CAM offers a healthy blend of all necessary skills to land a career in aviation, either in the cockpit or in an industry leadership role.

Learning Module: A trainee pilot studies a wide mix of subjects in addition to aviation studies. This includes accounting, finance, economics, consumer behavior, etc. Students also have to complete 260 hours in the air.

Programs on Offer: Students who have taken CAM graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Studies (BMOS) and a Transport Canada-approved Integrated Commercial Pilot’s License (ICPL) with Multi-Engine and Instrument Ratings.

Aircraft Fleet: DA-21 C1; DA-40; DA-42

Flight Simulators: Diamond DA42 FTD (Level 5); Precision Flight Controls CR-12 (Level 2); Precision Flight Controls GT1000 (Level 2); VMT Flight Simulator

Fanshawe College

Location: London

Fanshawe College is a well-regarded pilot academy in Canada, giving hands-on experience and real-world exposure to students who want to enter the aviation field.

What Makes it Different: The program is carried out at YXU, London International Airport. This airport is the 12th busiest passenger airport in all of Canada. For students, this entails a front-row seat to understand the ins and outs of how airports and airlines are handled while seeing the airplane in action.

Learning Module: Besides a comprehensive pilot training program, students are honed in their leadership skills. The course also includes math, flight principles, navigation, meteorology, and avionics. The flight training is provided through Diamond Flight Centre London and includes approximately 205 hours in the air.

Programs on Offer: The school offers a three-year commercial flight and aviation leadership program. Additionally, the college offers eight other aviation programs, including five certificates and three diplomas with co-op.

Aircraft Fleet: DA20-C1; DA40-180; DA42-TDI; Dassault Falcon 10; DHC-7; Hawker HS125

Flight Simulators: Diamond DA42 FTD (Level 5); Precision Flight Controls CR-12 (Level 2); Precision Flight Controls GT1000 (Level 2); VMT Flight Simulator

British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)

Location: Burnaby

BCIT is not just one of the best pilot training in Canada. It is also the most prominent such training school in British Columbia. The institute offers a fully integrated diploma program combining flight training and academics. In addition, the program is offered in partnership with the Pacific Flying Club.

What Makes it Different: As a leading pilot academy in Canada, BCIT demands an interview with its faculty for admission. In fact, graduates from BCIT enjoy an employment rate of 91%, with about a quarter of students receiving offers in less than a month.

Learning Module: The institute provides a fully integrated, unique diploma that takes 18 months to complete. Over these months, students earn their PPL, CPL, Multi-engine Rating, and Instrument Rating while completing courses on navigation, meteorology, survival skills, leadership, public relations, and more.

Programs on Offer: BCIT students leave the school with a diploma and over 200 hours in the air training. A mandatory minimum grade of 70 percent is required to pass each course.

Aircraft Fleet: Cessna 152; Cessna 172; Piper PA-34 Seneca

Flight Simulators: AlSIM ALX; AlSIM 250; Redbird Full Motion Simulator

Douglas College

Location: New Westminster

Douglas College is regarded as the best flight academy in Canada because of its solid international reputation that attracts students from all over the world.

What Makes it Different: The school offers an Associate of Arts for Future Professional Pilots program in partnership with the Professional Flight Centre. The school also has an agreement with Vancouver’s Professional Flight Centre, which gives students access to a fleet of 23 planes, all expertly maintained by their in-house facility.

Learning Module: The Associate of Arts for Future Professional Pilots degree is an open-enrollment full-time program with 60 credits. These credits equip students with knowledge around the cockpit with geography, psychology, climate, and weather classes.

Programs on Offer: Upon completing the four-semester program, graduates earn their associate degree from the humanities and social sciences faculty.

Aircraft Fleet: Cessna 152; Cessna 172; Cirrus SR-20 (G1000); Diamond DA-42 Twin Star; Piper PA-44 Seminole Twin; Piper Warrior II

Flight Simulators: ALSIM 250 Simulator; Redbird FMX

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Career Through Pilot Training in Canada

There are several ways for students to get pilot jobs in Canada after completing their pilot training. Before advancing to larger airlines, many begin their careers as first officers in chartered services or regional airlines. Additionally, there are several opportunities for corporate aviation, cargo transportation, and pilot training.

How much can one earn after completing pilot training in Canada? To give you a rough estimate, Air Pilot makes CAD 24,000 ($16735) to CAD 93848 ($65443). Similarly, Co-Pilot salaries fall from CAD 52686 ($36739) to CAD 82323 ($57406). Pilot Instructors make between CAD 52686 ($36739) and CAD 93848 ($65443).

Conclusion

If you are searching for the best pilot schools in Canada, we hope the above list makes the search easier for you. These pilot academies in Canada can open the doors of aviation for promising students while also preparing them for the demands of the jobs. Happy applying!

The 8 Best Flight Schools in Canada

Why Choose Flight Schools in Canada?