Professional Airline Pilot Canada
for international students

Why enroll with AeroCadet?

• Strategic Approach: AeroCadet understands that simply having the minimum required pilot licenses is not enough to secure a position with top aviation companies. They emphasize the importance of standing out and being unique among other candidates. AeroCadet provides a strategic approach to help pilots differentiate themselves and make a lasting impression on airline recruitment teams.

• Comprehensive Support: AeroCadet offers a personalized team of strategists, career mentors, and airline employment consultants who provide invaluable guidance and support throughout the pilot's career journey. These experts offer insights, advice, and mentoring to help pilots enhance their experience, knowledge, qualifications, and employment references, setting them apart from the competition.

• Industry Knowledge: With their deep understanding of the aviation industry, AeroCadet is equipped to provide pilots with up-to-date information on airline hiring standards and requirements. This knowledge helps pilots align their efforts effectively and efficiently to meet these standards and increase their chances of securing their dream job.

• Career Development: AeroCadet is committed to the long-term success of pilots in the competitive world of commercial aviation. They provide career development resources and assistance to ensure pilots are well-prepared and positioned for growth opportunities in their aviation careers.

• Prestigious Airline Opportunities: By enrolling with AeroCadet and benefiting from their expertise, pilots can increase their chances of receiving job offers from prestigious airlines. AeroCadet's insights and support can help aspiring pilots fulfill their dreams of working for the world's leading aviation companies.

As a leading aviation training and airline pilot career development consulting agent serving the largest international market, AeroCadet offers a tailored approach, expert support, and valuable industry knowledge to help pilots maximize their potential, stand out from the crowd, and achieve their desired career goals in the aviation industry.

Why holding just a Commercial Pilot License will not land you an airline job?

Let's face the truth: the top airlines have high pilot recruitment standards that go beyond the basic qualifications of a newly-graduated commercial pilot. The goal for student pilots is to attain the necessary flight time, licensing, and aeronautical experience to become employable by these airlines, which means gaining an edge over the vast applicant pool competition, not just satisfying the basic legal commercial pilot qualification requirements.

Most international student pilots aim for first officer positions with prestigious passenger carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific, Eva Air, AHK, Fly Dubai, ANA, and more. These airlines hire pilots from diverse citizenship and ethnic backgrounds on multi-year contracts. However, securing these coveted positions requires meeting specific requirements that newly-graduated commercial pilots may not fulfill.

These requirements typically include holding a full, unrestricted Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) issued by a recognized ICAO member state. Preferably, the license should be from a developed, English-speaking country like the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and others. This ensures a high level of English language proficiency, which airlines consider crucial. It also helps verify that the pilot has acquired their qualifications legitimately and not through fraudulent means, which unfortunately can be an issue in some developing countries' flight training industry.

Furthermore, significant aeronautical experience is necessary, usually exceeding 1500 flight hours,with a balanced combination of propeller and turbine/jet flight time. For a newly-graduated CPL holder with only 200 hours of flight time, achieving these qualifications and experiences can be a significant challenge, considering the high cost of acquiring flight hours. This is why many new pilots face the dilemma of gaining the required transitional aeronautical experience, leading them to search for underpaid and potentially risky jobs like bush-flying or banner-towing. Some even give up on their aviation dreams in frustration and let their pilot licenses expire, seeking employment in other industries. However, there are alternatives to this discouraging path.

Aerocadet, with its team of consultants who are experienced current (or retired) airline pilots, has developed fully-integrated flight training and internship programs to address this transitional experience challenge. These programs offer a comprehensive solution, taking students from zero experience or any other level they have already achieved to obtaining a full FAA (United States) and TCCA (Canada) ICAO Airline Transport Pilot Licenses. In the process, students gain valuable propeller and/or turbine experience, meeting the pilot recruitment requirements of major airlines that hire contract pilots for long-term, well-paid positions.

By providing a structured training program and internship opportunities, AeroCadet equips its students with the qualifications and experience necessary to stand out and succeed in the competitive airline job market.

How does this program achieve your airline employment objectives?

This flight training program is engineered by our aviation training consultants: current and former airline pilots, flight instructors and other esteemed aviation professionals who have extensive work experience as pilots in Canada, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. Our consultant are well aware of the challenges that newly-qualified commercial pilots face after they complete flight training. This programs builds on this program architect's extensive experience, allowing our graduates to overcome such obstacles with ease.

The program is unique, because it guarantees high quality, internationally recognized ICAO pilot licenses, simultaneously affording program graduates an opportunity to apply for pilot internship as flight instructors for up to 36 months. Upon completion of the flight training and internship phases, students will have a valuable opportunity to apply for Canada's permanent residency using the Canadian Experience Class program, and, if granted, continue to work for the leading regional and major airlines in Canada. (The Canadian Experience Class point-based system is discussed in detail on our blog here >>>)

This program is structured in such a way that every segment leads our students to the ultimate goal: employment in the airlines. The program is divided into the following stages:

Total duration of the flight training and the initial flight instructor internship is approximately 3 years. All stages of flight training are conducted in Canada to a very high standard by an accredited aviation college. After the completion of flight training phase, all students will be offered an opportunity to apply for the internship phase in order to work as flight instructors, which, in turn, will give them an opportunity to build additional flight time. After pilots achieve 1500 hours of total flight time, students will be able to apply and obtain an ICAO/Transport Canada ATPL and apply for either option 1 or option 2 internships. At the last (optional) stage, graduates will be provided permanent airline employment placement assistance service by our company with such airlines as Fly Dubai, Emirates, Qatar, Cathay Pacific, Air Asia, Lion Air, Singapore Airlines, Air China, Chinese Airlines, Air Hong Kong, Malaysian Airlines, Jet Star, Tiger Air and many more. Alternatively, graduates may opt to apply for Canadian permanent residency using the CEC immigration program, and continue working for Canadian airlines.

So, how does this program work?

At this stage, applicants will be required to complete enrollment application form (here >>>) and provide documents for initial consideration by our company. Our requirements are simple: high school diploma (or higher), IELTS Academic test with score 6.0 or higher, international passport and good health with no disqualifying conditions (see full list of enrollment requirements here >>>) Once all requirements are satisfied, the student will be furnished with the flight training agreement, visa support paperwork, preliminary aviation training study materials. (Aerocadet will provide comprehensive administrative support for this stage of the program)

Transport Canada Class I medical can be taken before or after arrival in Canada. It does not matter if you want to take the medical before or after taking the written exams. Aerocadet's FTP admin will book you an appointment with the medical examiner in the metropolitan or greater Toronto area. However, some countries allow pilots to take TC Class I medical locally. Please review this page to see if a TC medical examiner is available in your country/region. Please note: if your country of residence has a certified TC medical examiner, we recommend to pass your medical at your earliest opportunity due to longer than usual (6 months) processing times.

After arrival in Canada at the selected by student FPT, a student will undergo a short Transport Canada pilot medical (if you have not obtained one before arrival, as per phase 1). After this, student will start his/her theoretical and practical training: ground school and flying. The FTP aims to conduct at least 2 hours of ground school every day and 1-2 hours of flight training together with the ground school. The flight training segment will be subdivided into Private, Instrumen and Commercial courses, each giving the student a higher aeronautical license and grade. After completion of this training phase, the student will become a fully-certified Commercial Pilot holding a Transport Canada (ICAO) license, rated to operate single-engine and multi-engine aircraft, both in visual (VMC) and instrument meteorological (IMC) conditions. It takes approximately 200 flight hours to complete this stage.

Students who completed the phase 2 with the required standard of airmanship, safety and English proficiency, will then proceed to obtaining his/her Transport Canada Class IV Certified Flight Instructor rating. The Class IV Instructor Rating certifies the holder of a Commercial Pilot Licence or ATPL to conduct flight training under the supervision of a Class I or II Flight Instructor working within a Flight Training Unit leading to the issuance of the RPP, PPL, and CPL licenses and the Night and VFR-OTT Ratings. This rating is necessary to facilitate the internship phase of our program, which would afford the student an opportunity to work as a flight instructors and build valuable flight time, as well as get paid for this work. It takes approximately 30 flight hours to complete this stage.

Student, and at this point, a fully-qualified Transport Canada (ICAO) flight instructor, will be offered opportunity to apply for internship as a flight instructor with one of our Canadian FTPs, under the terms of the Canadain The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). Our flight centers in Canada are both registered DLIs (Designated Learning Institutions).This means that the students who graduate from this program are eligible to apply for the PGWP. The PGWP allows pilots who have graduated from an eligible Canadian designated learning institution (DLI) to obtain an open work permit (can work anywhere in Canada) to gain valuable professional aviation experience. Students will be offered priority hiring with our FTPs in Canada for the flight instructor position to build valuable flight time for the duration of up to 12 months. Alternatively, or in case that our FTP is full and can not hire any more instructors, Aerocadet will provide internship employment assitance with another flight school or air charter company in Canada. PGWP does not limit students to any one particular flight school or charter company in Canada, so graduates can work at any one of hundreds of aviation companies across the country. The only limitations being are that the employment must be full-time (30+ hours per week), as a pilot (field of study), and can not exceed 24-36 month. Pilots can expect to build way over 1500 hours of total flight time during this period - experience which is required to obtain an unrestricted Canadain ATPL. (Aerocadet will provide comprehensive administrative support for this stage of the program)

Upon completing 18-24 months and over 1500 hours of flight time under the PGWP, Students will be able to apply for the Canadian Airline Transport Pilot license. This license is a full, unrestricted ICAO ATPL and can be converted to any other ICAO ATPL, if needed. Practical and theoretical ATPL exams do not have any specific training pre-requisites, so pilots can take them as soon as they reach personal aeronautical experience of 1500+ hours. The minimum requirements for this licence are experience are: 1500 Flight Hours, incl. 250 PIC, 100 PIC Cross Country, 100 Night, and 25 Night Cross Country PIC, and 75 Hours Instrument; successful completion of a 2 Part Written Exam. There is no Flight Exam required for the issue of the Canadain ATPL.

At this stage, qualified pilots will be able to obtain employment permit in Canada and apply for employment as a first officer in the regional airlines in Canada, such as Jazz , WestJet, etc. This stage is facilitated by taking advantage of the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program. CEC candidates become eligible for an unrestricted work permit, including airline employment, after they have built up at least one year of Canadian work experience as full-time employees (30 hours per month as flight instructor, as per PGWP). Because the required documentation is minimal, CEC applications are normally processed within six months. As soon as the CEC application is submitted, pilots are allowed to continue employment under CEC/PGWP until the CEC application is approved. (Applicants under the Canadian Experience Class are not required to show proof of settlement funds). When approved, student becomes eligible to apply for airline pilot internship with any Canadian airline. The work experience must have been obtained after graduating from the program of study. Aerocadet will provide comprehensive administrative support for this stage of the program. (The Canadian Experience Class point-based system is discussed in detail on our blog here >>>)

In an unlikely event that student is unable to obtain Canada's permanent residency permit, our partner in British Virgin Islands (Caribbean), Global Air BVI Inc, will offer him/her employment as an international ferry pilot. This position requires pilot to work on the charter pilot basis, performing 1-2 aircraft repositioning flights per month from various destination around the world to North America and Europe using the D-type crew visa. The company will provide all the necessary training and visa support. The student will be able to build over 500 hours of valuable international cross-country flight time on various types of light piston and turbine aircraft with MTOW below 7500kg. (Aerocadet will provide comprehensive administrative support for this stage of the program)

At this point, our company will continue fostering your pilot career by offering a comprehensive airline employment support with the leading airlines in Asian and Middle East. This service is offered both to internship Option 1 and internship Option 2 pilot graduates. There is no limit to the assistance program: we will continue our support until the graduates get permanent airline employment with the leading airlines in Asia and Middle East, such as Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, FlyDubai, Cathay Pacific and so on. Of course, it is conditional on the graduate's passing the airline employment interview. (Aerocadet will provide comprehensive administrative support for this stage of the program). Alternatively, graduates may opt to apply for Canadian permanent residency using the CEC immigration program, and continue working for Canadian airlines.

We are confident, that in view of growing pilot deficit in the World, and a unique and robust nature of our ATPL program, Students will be able to obtain airline employment within 2-4 months after completion of their internships.

FTP Selection: Canada East vs. Canada West

The flight training and internship phases are conducted by one of the two available FTPs in Canada: the Toronto Airways Inc (Canada East), or the Canadian Aviation College (Canada West). It is up to student to decide which FTP he/she wants to attend. Here is a short table which outlines main differences between the FTPs:

Ultimately, it is up to each student to decide which FTP is right for them. However, here is a summary of our recommendations:

Canada-West FTP. Pros: Milder winters, which means more flying during this period. Cons: Higher cost of living, fewer part-time employment opportunities.

Canada-East FTP. Pros: Lower cost of living, more part-time employment opportunities. Cons: Colder winters, more frequent snowfalls and winds, which can disrupt training.

Recommendation. If you are looking to complete your flight training quickly and have a higher budget, we recommend Canada-West FTP. If you are more concerned with the cost of living and part-time employment opportunities, we recommend Canada-East FTP.

Additional Considerations. Weather: Canada-East FTP is subject to the weather patterns caused by the Great Lakes, which means colder winters, more frequent snowfalls, and wind. This can disrupt training during the winter time. Canada-West FTP has milder winters, which prevents frequent snow-falls and allows more flying during this period. Cost of living: The cost of living in Western Canada is higher than in Eastern Canada. This includes the cost of housing, food, and transportation. Part-time employment: There are more part-time employment opportunities in the Toronto area than in Pitt Meadows. This is because Toronto is a larger city with a more diverse economy.

Conclusion. Both Canada-West FTP and Canada-East FTP are excellent options for flight training. The best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Learn more about the East/West FTPs here >>>

Students will receive the following amount of flight training hours during the licensing phases of the program:

Students will receive the following flight crew licenses during this program:

The Academic segment of the theoretical training is an important factor for those students who are planning on advancing their education to an Associate or a Bachelor's level. Although most airlines in the Middle East and Asia do not require a college degree for pilot employment, having such a degree certainly gives a candidate marginal advantage over other applicants in a competitive airline pilot employment market, and allows for significant expansion of his/her employment market spectrum. More and over, if a program graduate elects to stay in Canada as a permanent resident and to seek employment in the major Canadian airline, such as Air Canada (mainline), having at least a Bachelor's degree from any accredited North American university may become a mandatory requirement. (Please note, that as of June 2021, all other non-mainline Canadian airlines, such as WestJet, Transat, Air Inuit, Air North, and so on, have dropped the degree requirement for pilot applications.)

This is why we have partnered with a fully-accredited universities in the United States: Thomas Edison State University (New Jersey) and Liberty University, to provide 100% online admission and educational programs to our program graduates who have already earned their ATP licenses. The university issues fully-accredited Associate, Bachelor and Master level degrees via online-only academic programs, while giving maximum amount (of all US and Canadian Universities) academic credits for previously obtained pilot licenses such as CPL, CFI and ATPL, and certain aviation practicum, such as turbine type-ratings or airline experience as FO or CA. No student visa is required to continue studying for the Bachelor's degree with TESU. Studies can be conducted from any country in the world.

In additon, graduates of this program will be awarded a College Certificate of Completion in Applied Human Factors by our FTP, worth additional 4 academic credits. Other practical and theoretical PPL, Instrument, CPL, Instructor and ATPL courses taken and passed in a certified flight academy or college are worth (convertable into) the following academic college credits:

More information about pilot licenses/ratings conversion into academic credits may be found on TESU website here >>>

More information about pilot licenses/ratings conversion into academic credits may be found on Liberty University website here >>>

The listed above academic courses and their respective credit hour ratings may be converted into any college or university accreditation scale using the standard European Academic Credit Transfer System.

Please note: all academic credits are approximate and subject to admissions board review and evaluation by the target college or university. Normally, the level of education and practicum upon completion of the training and internship phases equals to Associate Degree in Aeronautical science. Hence, most pilots are able to obtain a full Bachelor's Degree in just 2 years after transferring the academic credits.

Six months of accommodation will be reserved for our students by Aerocadet, but Student will be required to physically view and approve accommodation, and sign an actual lease agreement after arrival in Canada.

British Columbia (Canada West) Location

In general, accommodation is readily accessible at our FTP Locations. Students can pre-view and select accommodation types. Most of our students live on or near the Durham College campus. This campus is located approximately 5 minutes drive (or 15 minutes walk or 7 minutes by bike) from the flight training center. The average cost to rent a private room in most on-campus properties is $550 USD per month, but can vary between $450 and $750 USD per month, depending on the property size and type.

Ontario (Canada East) Location

In general, accommodation is readily accessible at our FTP Locations. Students can pre-view and select accommodation types. Most of our students live on or near the Durham College campus. This campus is located approximately 5 minutes drive (or 15 minutes walk or 7 minutes by bike) from the flight training center. The average cost to rent a private room in most on-campus properties is $550 USD per month, but can vary between $450 and $750 USD per month, depending on the property size and type.

You can review various accommodation options near our flight training center by taking the following easy steps:

1. Visit this web site http://www.places4students.com/
2. Type in “Durham College” (for Ontario) or Canadian Aviation College (for British Columbia), or just click direct link >>>

Ontario Campus is located in the greater Toronto area. British Columbia campus is located in Vancouver area. Students are eligible for 20 hours p/w off-campus employment immediately after the program commencement.

Please note: we do not recommed that you prepay your accommodation before obtaining your Canadian Student permit visa.

Part-time employment

While studying full-time, the international students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week at any off-campus employment. Most take entry-level unskilled minimum-pay jobs at local restaurants or supermarkets. The pay is normally enough to provide students with the basic living expenses. Once the training period is complete, students will be allowed to apply for a higher-paid flight instructor positions with the flight academy. 

The minimum salary for international students working part-time jobs in Canada is $11.06 CAN ($8.40 USD) per hour. Providing that a student works 80 hours per month, he/she can expect to earn approximately $884.80 CAN ($672.00 USD). There is no income tax on earnings below $8500 CAN per year. Earnings above $8500 CAN are taxed at 15%.

After graduating from the flight training program, pilots will be able to apply for the Flight Instructor employment with the Flight Academy. They can expect to fly 80 hours per month until they achieve 1500 hours of total flight time. They can expect to earn double the minimum wage salary (approx. $22-28 CAN) during this time-period, resulting in a salary of approximately $1760 CAN ($1335 USD) per month.

The Full Program Cost Estimate

The full program cost is an approximate estimate based on student's ability to complete flight training program in full compliance with the approved Transport Canada curriculum. The cost includes flight training, ground school, government fees, basic flight equipment, and British Columbia taxes. The base cost does not include airline tickets, normal living expenses, and additional training hours (if required due to low performance). Living expenses and additional accommodation can be paid by the student using part-time employment income, for which all students are eligible immediately after arrival. The prices are estimated in the USD.

Additional Fees

Living expenses vary, depending on student's budget and lifestyle. Additionally, living expenses can be heavily supplemented or even completely covered by taking on part-time off-campus employment. We estimate living expenses at approximately $20.00 USD per day, over 30 days per months, over 18 months of training to be:

Discounts

Also, some students will be eligible to discounts. The discounts include the following items:

So, What is Included in the Full Cost Estimate?

Our academy does not require students to pay for the entire flight training program in advance. We have a payment structure that needs to be followed by all students, with some exception. Students must submit the following payments (if Canada-West campus is selected):

Please note: the aforementioned values are for general reference only. The exact values and conditions of deposits are outlined in the flight training agreement, which students are required to sign upon enrollment and before any payments are due. Flight training agreement will calculate exact deposit values based on the FTP election, accommodation types and upgrades/downgrades elections.

Our company can provide administrative support for students to obtain Financial Aid from their respective banks and financial institutions. Such support is offered by providing conditional employment offer letters and training bond contracts. Read the details here >>>

Please note: Aerocadet does not provide flight training sponsorships. Please read the student loan information located via the above link thoroughly before applying for enrollment. 

To enroll into this program, an applicant must have the following documents:

If you need a personal consultation regarding the flight training program, please email one of our highly qualified consultants with a full list of your questions, and receive a structured response within 24 hours.

You can download the following materials below.

Please note: PDF materials may be out-of-date. Please refer to the website information for the current notifications and pricing.