GETTING STARTED - FIRST STEPS
STEP #1
SCHEDULE YOUR INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT
Our introductory flight is the best way to see if learning to fly is right for you. Before going any further into the flight training process, we always recommend that you take a short flight in the aircraft that will be used for your flight training. This experience will allow you to determine if you are comfortable with the physical sensations of flight associated with a typical light training aircraft.
STEP #2
SCHEDULE Your Aviation Medical
Prior to beginning your flight training with DFC London you should get an aviation medical certificate from a Transport Canada-approved Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME). A pilot licence is only valid when accompanied by a valid/current aviation medical (no medical = no flying). For this reason, it is best to make sure that you can meet the required medical standards prior to spending money on flight training.
If you are planning to fly for fun/recreationally, a Category 3 medical is all that you need. If you are planning a career in aviation and want to work as a commercial pilot, you will require a Category 1 Aviation Medical.
Below is a list of Transport Canada-approved civil aviation medical examiners in the London, Ontario area:
Dr. Chapeskie
Office: (519) 461-0776
Address: Box 130, 21816 Fairview Road (Thorndale)
Dr. Sirek
Office: (226) 213-6700
Address: 701 Oxford Street East (London)
If you are from outside the London area, a list of Civil Aviation Medical Examiners can be found here on the Transport Canada website
STEP #3
REGISTER FOR PPL Ground School
In order to prepare for the required Transport Canada written examination (PPAER) for the Private Pilot Licence, you will need to complete a minimum of 40 hours of ground school training focusing on the following areas of study:
Theory of Flight
Flight Instruments
Airframes and Engines
Flight Operations
Air Law
Pilot Decision Making
Meteorology
Navigation
The ground school training can be completed at any time, but we recommend that ground school be taken at the same time as flight training so that you can apply the knowledge learned in class to your flying lessons. What you learn in theory in ground school you can put to practical use in the airplane and the lesson will be better remembered. The PPL ground school must be completed before you can be issued your Private Pilot Licence (PPL) at the conclusion of your flight training.
STEP #4
SCHEDULE YOUR FLYING LESSONS!
When you are ready to begin learning to fly, Contact Us to schedule your lessons. We are open 7 days per week and you can schedule your flight training as your schedule permits! Flight lessons are two (2) hours in length from start to finish and are typically broken down as follows:
Preparatory Ground Instruction (PGI)
Pre-Flight Briefing
Aircraft Pre-Flight Inspection
The Training Flight
Post-Flight Briefing
We recommend that students fly at least once per week in order to minimize review time, retain knowledge and finish the required training in a reasonable amount of time.