Online Ground School
Our courses, focusing on what you need to know!
We carefully put all our courses together in accordance to Transport Canada requirements.
This helps you focus on what you actually need to learn for your written exam.
We offer free practice exams for all our courses, closely matching the level of difficulty you can expect on your written exam.
After completing your online course, we will also give you the recommendation required by Transport Canada.*
This helps you focus on what you actually need to learn for your written exam.
We offer free practice exams for all our courses, closely matching the level of difficulty you can expect on your written exam.
After completing your online course, we will also give you the recommendation required by Transport Canada.*
Helicopter Pilots Licence
You are new to Aviation and want to become a private or commercial Helicopter pilot?
Then this is exactly the course for you!
Then this is exactly the course for you!
Aeroplane Pilots Licence
You are new to Aviation and want to become a private Aeroplane pilot?
Then this is exactly the course for you!
Conversions
We offer all common conversions for Helicopter, Aeroplane and foreign pilots.
Check out what course is right for you!
Check out what course is right for you!
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is ground school?
Ground school teaches you all the fundamentals you will need to know to become a pilot. This is a very important step in your journey to becoming a safe, knowledgeable aviator.
When should I start ground school?
We recommend beginning ground school a few weeks prior to starting your flight training. Gaining this foundational knowledge early will enhance your understanding and confidence during your initial flights
If you find certain topics challenging at the start, feel free to move ahead in the coursework. Actively flying and immersing yourself in the aviation environment will significantly aid in your comprehension of various concepts.
We highly recommend that you finish your ground school and pass your written exam at least one month before your flight test. This will not only help you to focus more on your flight test as that approaches but it will motivate you to push through with the ground portion of training.
You must complete your flight test within 24 months of passing your written exam.
If you find certain topics challenging at the start, feel free to move ahead in the coursework. Actively flying and immersing yourself in the aviation environment will significantly aid in your comprehension of various concepts.
We highly recommend that you finish your ground school and pass your written exam at least one month before your flight test. This will not only help you to focus more on your flight test as that approaches but it will motivate you to push through with the ground portion of training.
You must complete your flight test within 24 months of passing your written exam.
In what order should I complete the course?
The presentations are designed to be viewed from top to bottom, but they can also be done in any order.
How many hours do I need to do the course?
Transport Canada requires a minimum of 40 hours of ground school for the Private Licence (PPL) and 80 hours for the Commercial Licence (CPL). This does not mean that a student can do these hours and be ready for the exam. In a traditional ground school, you would complete the hours in a classroom and then go home and study.
Most students would easily double or triple the amount of hours studying at home compared to the time spent in the classroom. In the online ground school, these hours are blended together. Students average about 100-120 hours prepping for the PPL and 200-250 hours for the CPL.
Most students would easily double or triple the amount of hours studying at home compared to the time spent in the classroom. In the online ground school, these hours are blended together. Students average about 100-120 hours prepping for the PPL and 200-250 hours for the CPL.
Each course includes detailed information on the total hours of video instruction provided, as well as the minimum required study hours. This allows you to plan your training effectively and ensures you meet all necessary requirements for successful course completion.
For more information on the recommendation see Will I receive a letter of recommendation?
HELP! I'm feeling completely overwhelmed! I don't know if I can do this!
This is totally normal, you are setting foot in to a completely new field.
Becoming a pilot combines various topics and involves learning a lot of new knowledge. It might even be one of the widest rages of knowledge you've ever had to learn, from weather, navigation, mechanics, aerodynamics and a lot more.
When I started, I felt the same way as you do, just pick one topic at the time and take your time studying it and working through until you understand the material. When you can't learn more, take a break and go do something you enjoy.
At the beginning it seams overwhelming and impossible to wrap your mind around everything, but if you trust the system and just take it one step at the time, you will get there, as many before you have done too =)
Becoming a pilot combines various topics and involves learning a lot of new knowledge. It might even be one of the widest rages of knowledge you've ever had to learn, from weather, navigation, mechanics, aerodynamics and a lot more.
When I started, I felt the same way as you do, just pick one topic at the time and take your time studying it and working through until you understand the material. When you can't learn more, take a break and go do something you enjoy.
At the beginning it seams overwhelming and impossible to wrap your mind around everything, but if you trust the system and just take it one step at the time, you will get there, as many before you have done too =)
How do we count ground school hours?
We track the hours you actively spend engaged with the course—whether you're studying, watching lessons, or completing quizzes and exams. Additionally, quizzes are used to confirm that you have covered the material and gained a sufficient understanding of each topic.
Do I have to complete all of the quizzes?
Yes, you are required to complete all quizzes and achieve a score of 100% by retaking them as needed. For the topic quizzes, the initial score will be recorded as part of your ground school record.
How do I correct the quiz results to 100%?
Go to the end of the quiz, click submit quiz. Then restart the quiz, answer the questions, and the system will record your highest mark.
Why do I have to complete all the quizzes?
This is the only way to really know how you are doing and what you have done in the course.
Yes, this is the most effective way to assess your understanding of the course material.
Yes, this is the most effective way to assess your understanding of the course material.
How do you suggest going through the course?
It depends on how well you know the material. If you have never heard of the material before, go through the presentations. If you know some of it, use the presentations to start. If you think you know it all, go straight to the quizzes. If you go through the quizzes and get 100%, then go to the next section. If you don't have a clue and fail the section, go back to the presentations.
Will I receive a Letter of Recommendation?
To receive a recommend to a Transport Canada (TC) written exam you are required to:
IMPORTANT: The recommendation letter is valid for 60 days, but we strongly advise not waiting that long. Schedule your exam as soon as possible, ideally within 2–3 days of receiving the letter.
- Complete the minimum hours required
- Complete all the topic quizzes
- Achieve 80% or higher on at least 3 practice exams
When you feel ready to take your written exam, please reach out to us through the contact form or by emailing info@joinairhelicopters.ca. We will manually review your progress to ensure all requirements have been met. If everything is in order, we will issue a letter of recommendation, which you must bring with you to the exam.
When you feel ready to take your written exam, please reach out to us through the contact form or by emailing info@joinairhelicopters.ca. We will manually review your progress to ensure all requirements have been met. If everything is in order, we will issue a letter of recommendation, which you must bring with you to the exam.
We strongly encourage you to take the time to study thoroughly. Attempting to shortcut the learning process is not in your best interest. Receiving a recommendation does not guarantee success on the Transport Canada written exam—true preparation and effort are essential to becoming a safe and competent pilot.
IMPORTANT: The recommendation letter is valid for 60 days, but we strongly advise not waiting that long. Schedule your exam as soon as possible, ideally within 2–3 days of receiving the letter.
Please note the following requirements to receive a recommendation:
- Only one recommendation letter is issued per student.
- Your course access must be active at the time of the request.
- Practice exams must have been completed within the last 2 weeks.
Timely action ensures your knowledge stays fresh and increases your chances of success on the Transport Canada written exam.
Make sure you use your full legal name when you register for a course as this is the name that will appear on your recommend!
Make sure you use your full legal name when you register for a course as this is the name that will appear on your recommend!
What is an exam recommend?
To take any exam with Transport Canada (TC) you will need to be recommended. This applies to the written exams, but will also apply to any flight test.
The letter of recommendation can be given by an authorized flight school. This letter states that you have reached the minimum required hours for the given exam and that your knowledge is at a good level. This means that we are confident that you will pass your exam.
The letter of recommendation can be given by an authorized flight school. This letter states that you have reached the minimum required hours for the given exam and that your knowledge is at a good level. This means that we are confident that you will pass your exam.
What happens if I don't meet the requirements for a recommend?
Students who don't meet the minimum requirements for a recommendation will receive a record of ground school on request, but not a
recommendation for the exam. Only one attempt for each practice exam will be
credited. A recommendation may be granted after additional tutoring.
What if I need more time to complete the course?
You can extend your subscription to the course at any time by adding an additional year using our web checkout. If you extend it seamlessly, your progress will be saved and you can continue where you left off.
However, we recommend you focus and aim to complete the course within a few months of signing up. This will make it easier for you to learn and has proven to lead to significantly better success rates in the past.
However, we recommend you focus and aim to complete the course within a few months of signing up. This will make it easier for you to learn and has proven to lead to significantly better success rates in the past.
Where do I write a Transport Canada exam?
Either at a Transport Canada Centre or with a Authorized Examination Invigilator. You will find all the information to sign up for your exam here.
Please note that Transport Canada may have waiting periods of up to 1–2 months for written exam appointments. It is advisable to register early and set a clear goal to work towards. If you find that you are not ready as the exam date approaches, you can cancel your appointment free of charge up to three days in advance.
Please note that Transport Canada may have waiting periods of up to 1–2 months for written exam appointments. It is advisable to register early and set a clear goal to work towards. If you find that you are not ready as the exam date approaches, you can cancel your appointment free of charge up to three days in advance.
What flight computers are allowed for the exam?
The following electronic computers have been approved for use for all flight crew written examinations requiring numerical computations.
- Jeppesen/Sanderson PROSTAR
- Jeppesen/Sanderson AVSTAR
- Jeppesen TECHSTAR
- Jeppesen TECHSTAR PRO ASA CX-1a
- PATHFINDER ASA CX-2, CX-3
- CESSNA SKY/COMP NAV-GEM
- E6B
What to bring to a Transport Canada exam?
- Proof of identity: This is an official document with both a photo and signature. Examples include a passport, an aviation document booklet, an ICAO licence, or a provincial/international driver’s licence
- Proof of medical validity: This can be a Transport Canada-issued medical certificate, a signed/stamped medical page in an Aviation Document Booklet or a “Civil Aviation - Fit Certification” form
- Letter of recommendation: The letter of recommendation from your flight instructor must be dated no more than 60 calendar days before your exam date: Note: Students in an integrated flight program require a letter of recommendation. Candidates converting a foreign licence don’t require a letter of recommendation, but they must show an ICAO licence
- Pencil
- ICAO ruler
- Protractor
- Flight computer (we recommend a E6B)
- Calculator without memory function
What if I fail the Transport Canada exam?
We will develop a tailored tutoring plan to strengthen your knowledge based on your exam performance and the effort you invest in improvement.
Please note, there is a mandatory waiting period of at least 14 days after the first failure of the exam or any section(s) before you are eligible to retake the exam.
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