About Us

Interested in a career as a professional pilot, but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place – Professional Flight Centre.

We are a progressive flight school located at Boundary Bay Airport in Delta, British Columbia, Canada and have been in operation since 1986. Our in-flight training is second to none, and we have gained Canada-wide and International recognition for quality in the process. See what current & past students have to say about our excellent flight training program!

We offer  Pilot Training for the Private Pilot License (PPL); Commercial Pilot License (CPL); Instructor Rating; Multi-Engine Rating; Instrument Rating and ATPL License.

The training is accomplished on our fleet of 23 aircraft including 1 Piper PA-44 Seminole, a G1000 equipped Diamond DA-42 Twin and 21 single engine aircraft including Cirrus SR-20, Cessna 172; Cessna 152; and Piper Warrior.

To learn more about the wide range of flight training services we offer, see the Flight Training Overview below. If you’re looking for some quick answers, check out our section on  frequently asked questions.

FLIGHT TRAINING OVERVIEW

A flight training program consists of 3 main areas of training.

1. Ground School
2. Preparatory Ground Instruction (briefings)
3. In-Flight Instruction

Ground School

The main focus of ground school is to prepare the student for the Transport Canada written examination. This is the basis for the majority of the student’s knowledge through-out the whole program. There is a mandatory ground school component for many of the licenses and ratings and it is strongly recommended to be included in all levels of flight training.

Preparatory Ground Instruction

These courses provide the student with the required knowledge for the practical operation of the aircraft. The theory learned in ground school will be applied to real life scenarios. Classes will cover the steps and procedures necessary to fly an aircraft.

In-Flight Instruction

These in-flight classes are the culmination of all preparatory ground instruction and ground school; it is the practical hands-on operation of a light trainer aircraft. To maximize the effectiveness, it should be synchronized with the preparatory ground instruction classes.

PROGRAM COST

For both Domestic and International Students, there is no need to pay full amount fee in advance. Instead, students will be charged by “flight time” following each training session. This is the time from engine start to engine stop. The latest estimated cost of Flight Training at different stages of the Professional Pilot Program can be found in Tuition and Rates page. All prices are in Canadian Dollars.

LEVELS OF FLIGHT TRAINING (LICENSES AND RATINGS)

Throughout our flight training courses, students will achieve different qualifications. Every license and rating is a necessary step towards becoming a professional pilot.

Private Pilot License (PPL)

The Private Pilot License (PPL) is the starting point in your aviation career.  Whether you are planning to fly professionally or recreationally, the PPL is the first step.  This training is very important as no matter which way you plan to go with your training, being strong in basic fundamentals is key to becoming a safe and confident pilot.  Like everything else, there is no substitute for a solid foundation, it makes moving forward a much more simple and enjoyable process.

The Private Pilot License (PPL) allows you to command a single-engine aircraft in daytime visual conditions and fly to many interesting destinations and arrive there in a much shorter time than would ever be possible by car.  Additional training allows the PPL holder to fly at night, fly a multi-engine aircraft and also fly in instrument (IFR) conditions.  If the candidate aspires to a career with the major airlines, this is the beginning step towards making this a reality!

If you wish to own your own aircraft and fly for personal business, the PPL is the license you will hold to meet that need.  Boundary Bay is an excellent airport to train at as we have the best weather of any airport in the Vancouver area and enough traffic to make it interesting and help prepare you to fly to other destinations with confidence.

We have 23 aircraft within our fleet and many of them are tailor made for the PPL and CPL flight training.  You cannot beat us when looking for a full service flight school in the Vancouver area!

Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

Assuming the pilot is aspiring towards a career as a professional pilot, the next phase is the completion of the Commercial Pilot License (CPL).  The CPL extends the privileges of the PPL and allows the pilot to fly for hire or reward.  Completing the basic Commercial Pilot License (CPL) allows the pilot to fly for an air operator such as an Air Taxi operation.  Once hired, the pilot begins to build valuable flight experience and additional hours towards the Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL).

The Commercial Pilot License (CPL) comes with a night rating, and in most cases the candidate will add the Multi-IFR Rating as these are prerequisites to fly for a commuter or airline operation.

If the pilot wishes to start their own air service, this is once again integral to making that a reality.

Multi-Engine IFR Rating (Multi-IFR)

As the PPL and CPL Licenses are valid for VFR (visual flight rules) only, to fly in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) the pilot must acquire an Instrument Rating (IFR).  This can be accomplished in either a Single-Engine or Multi-Engine aircraft although most students wishing to fly for an airline will require the Multi-Engine IFR Rating as this is a prerequisite.

Much of this training is accomplished in our ALSIM and Redbird simulators.  This makes the training cost effective and very closely replicates the aircraft, thus when the aircraft portion of the training is commenced the candidate is fully prepared.

Professional Flight Centre has its roots firmly in the IFR world as when we commenced business in 1986, Multi-IFR was our sole focus.  We gained a nation-wide and international reputation for excellence in the process.  We maintain that reputation to this very day and are considered the leader in the field.

Our simulators and Multi-Engine aircraft are equipped with modern avionics that reflect industry standard.  This includes GPS, ILS, RMI, and DME.  Our “IFR System” is legendary and we are very proud of our many graduates that are flying commercially in Canada and around the world!

We  have an excellent reputation in commercial pilot training in Canada, supplying well disciplined, fundamentally sound, professional pilots to many operators in Canada and throughout the world.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The Professional Flight Centre has had a long history of training students from outside Canada. We have had a long history of training students from outside Canada. Visit International Student section for more details on how to apply.

Professional Flight Centre is an Designated Learning Institution (DLI # O19238920192) approved by Government of Canada, Accredited by PTIB (ID-00735) and have received the Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation from the Ministry of Advanced Education.