Every airline captain starts the same way—sitting nervously in the cockpit of a small training aircraft, about to take off for their very first lesson.
The journey from that moment to commanding a commercial airliner may feel long, but it’s absolutely possible. Thousands of Canadian pilots have made the leap, and you can too.
Let’s take a walk through the career path of a Canadian pilot—told as a story that mirrors the journey many of our students will follow.
Chapter 1: The First Flight Lesson
It begins with the Private Pilot Licence (PPL). Imagine yourself at a local airport, headset on, heart racing as the instructor guides you through your first takeoff.
The PPL requires at least 45 hours of flight time, though most Canadian students log closer to 60–70 hours. By the end, you can fly family and friends across the country, sharing the magic of aviation.
For some, this is enough—a lifetime of flying for fun. But for those chasing a career, it’s only the first step.
Chapter 2: Building Hours and Experience
To pursue the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), you’ll need 200 total flight hours. This means spending long days at the airport, flying circuits, practicing cross-country trips, and logging solo time.
It’s in this stage that many Canadian students discover what kind of pilot they want to become—whether they love teaching, bush flying, or dream of wearing the airline uniform.
Chapter 3: The Commercial Pilot Licence
Earning the CPL is a milestone. Suddenly, you’re not just a pilot—you’re a professional pilot. You can be paid to fly.
At this stage, many Canadian CPL holders pursue additional ratings:
- Multi-Engine Rating for twin-engine aircraft.
- Instrument Rating (IFR) to fly in clouds and poor weather.
- Instructor Rating to begin teaching the next generation of pilots.
Each rating is another step up the ladder, sharpening your skills and expanding your opportunities.
Chapter 4: The First Job in Aviation
For many, the first job is not glamorous—it might be as a flight instructor at a local school, or flying small aircraft for a northern charter company.
In Alberta, that might mean hopping between remote communities. In Ontario, it could mean training students out of a busy regional airport.
These roles are where you build experience and, most importantly, flight hours—the currency of a pilot’s career.
Chapter 5: Regional Airlines and Beyond
With hours in your logbook and experience in the air, the doors to regional airlines begin to open. Flying Dash 8s, CRJs, or Q400s across Canada, you learn to operate in structured, high-pressure environments.
From there, the step to major airlines—Air Canada, WestJet, or Porter—is within reach.
Chapter 6: The Airline Captain’s Seat
Years of dedication, training, and experience finally pay off. You’re no longer the student nervously gripping the yoke—you’re the captain of a commercial airliner, responsible for crew, passengers, and hundreds of lives.
The journey is long, but every Canadian captain flying today once stood exactly where you are now—looking at the skies and wondering if the dream was possible.
Conclusion
The path from student pilot to airline captain isn’t just about hours and exams—it’s a story of persistence, passion, and growth.
Your first step is the Private Pilot Licence—and that begins with ground school. Start your journey with Level Flight’s Online Ground School today.
Want to talk through your career path? Call us at 403-525-5622 and let’s map out your journey from student to captain.
The Level Flight Advantage
Level Flight is doing Ground School like no one else. Our groundbreaking model of online delivery offers Canadian student pilots an elevated ground school experience and better prepares them for the rigorous demands of flight training and pilot testing. Here is what we are doing better:
Level Flight Alumni Say
The number of Level Flight Ground School Pilots continues to grow. We are proud that our comprehensive and innovative Ground School curriculum inspires students to complete their first steps and continue to develop to achieve their aviation dreams. Here is what some of our students past and present say about their experience with Level Flight Ground School.
How to Become a Pilot in Canada
Becoming a pilot in Canada is an exciting journey that combines classroom learning with hands-on flight experience. Whether your goal is to fly for fun or pursue a professional aviation career, the process begins with proper training and certification. In Canada, aspiring pilots typically start with a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) before moving on to a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) if they want to fly for a living. Level Flight is the best choice to begin your pilot training journey. Click below to learn more about the typical process for becoming a pilot in Canada.
- Obtain a medical certificate
- Earn a Private Pilot License
- Earn a Commercial Pilot License
- Complete Advanced Training
Every pilot in Canada is required to obtain a medical certificate for the license they wish to hold (CAT 3 or 1 for PPL, CAT 1 for CPL). Level Flight recommends completing this step before or early in your training.
This process involves two main parts: ground school and flight training. Ground school will teach you the required knowledge, while flight training will teach you the skills in the aircraft. Ground school can be done before or at the same time as flight training. Make the best use of your time by signing up for Level Flight's online ground school. Click here to learn more about PPL training. This step can be your final destination if your goal is to be a recreational pilot. To become a professional pilot continue to the next step.
After completing the PPL, students who want to pursue a career as a pilot can advance to CPL training. This process is the same as the PPL with ground school and flight training components, but new and advanced skills are added to the curriculum. Click here to learn more about CPL training.
The next step in the pilot training journey is to obtain advanced qualifications such as a multi-engine and instrument rating. This step is required for anyone wishing to fly professionally but optional for those only looking to fly recreationally. Click here to learn more about advanced licenses and ratings.
Take Flight Now
Level Flight is Canada’s best online ground school. It is our mandate to provide higher quality, more engaging training for Canadian Student Pilots. If you are seeking the exhilarating freedom of flight for a hobby or with aspirations of a career in the skies, Level Flight offers the best ground school experience available. Sign up for our online learning platform now and discover the adventure that awaits you at Level Flight.
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