Learn to Fly in Vancouver:
Start with your Private Pilot Licence (PPL) at Pitt Meadows
No experience? Perfect.
We’ll guide you from first flight to full confidence—right here in Metro Vancouver’s spectacular training environment.
Executive Compass Flight Institute (ECFI) is based at Pitt Meadows Regional Airport (CYPK)
Close to Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Langley, and the North Shore—with quick access to practice areas and the Lower Mainland’s varied airspace.
Why flying in Vancouver starts with a PPL
The PPL is the universal foundation for pilot training.
It lets you act as Pilot‑in‑Command of single‑engine aircraft for personal/recreational flying, and it’s the building block for all advanced ratings (CPL, Night, Instrument, Multi-Engine) and commercial pathways.
Because Canada’s licensing follows ICAO standards (Annex 1), your Canadian PPL is globally recognized (with local validations if you fly abroad).
Why Vancouver / CYPK (Pitt Meadows):
Pro training airspace
Scenery that teaches
Convenient location
What exactly is a PPL?
A Private Pilot Licence (PPL‑A) is Canada’s first full pilot licence for aeroplanes.
It authorizes you to act as pilot‑in‑command (PIC) or co‑pilot on aircraft you’re rated on, so you can fly for personal and recreational purposes—including taking friends and family. It is the foundation for every advanced rating and the commercial path. You can add ratings soon after. Training blends ground school and flight lessons (hands‑on skills, scenario‑based decision‑making).
Transport Canada requirements for a PPL
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Age: You must be 17 to hold the licence (you can start earlier and solo earlier under a Student Pilot Permit).
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Medical: Category 3 aviation medical (Cat 1 is only needed later for CPL).
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Ground school: Minimum 40 hours covering Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, General Knowledge.
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Flight training: Minimum 45 hours total, including 17 dual (≥3 cross‑country, 5 instrument with up to 3 hrs instrument ground time) and 12 solo (≥5 cross‑country with one 150‑NM solo cross‑country that includes two full‑stop landings away from base). Up to 5 hours may be on an approved simulator/FTD.
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Tests: Pass the PPAER written exam and the PPL flight test.
Why the “minimums” matter: Most students train beyond the 45‑hour minimum to reach a confident, test‑ready standard; your actual total will depend on frequency, weather, and study habits.
PPL in Vancouver Cost
How flight training is billed (so you can plan)
Most FTUs (including us) bill by: aircraft time (dual/solo, start-up to shutdown), instructor time (PGI, briefs, in-air), simulator/FTD time (hourly, usually cheaper than aircraft), plus pass-through fees (medical, TC exams/flight test, charts, landing fees, supplies).
PPL: realistic budget (not just “TC minimum”)
Transport Canada sets minimums, but real students typically need ~60–80 hours to reach a confident, test-ready standard. The blog’s planning number for a Canadian PPL is ≈ $27,000 CAD, with variations for pace, weather, and study rhythm. Treat any “minimum-hours cost” as a lower bound, not a target
ECFI programs that lower total cost
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Money-on-Account bonus (training credits when you pre-fund)
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Package discount options (ask our team)
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Syllabus design that minimizes repeats and puts sim time where it saves the most.
What you’ll learn (beginner‑friendly curriculum)
Aircraft basics
Controls, checklists, normal & crosswind takeoffs/landings, stalls & slow flight, emergencies.
Navigation skills
Paper & electronic nav, cross‑country planning, fuel/power management.
Airspace & radio
Class C/D ops, Vancouver terminal procedures, clear concise RT.
Weather decisions
Fraser Valley winds, mountain effects, coastal fog strategies.
Human factors
Workload management, checklists, decision frameworks.
Instrument basics
Control & performance, unusual attitudes (under the hood).
How your PPL training works (in Vancouver)
1.Introductory Flight (Discovery)
Sit at the controls with an instructor and see if flying clicks for you.2.Enroll & Medical
Book your Category 3 aviation medical (Transport Canada) and register with us.3.Student Pilot Permit & PSTAR
Before first solo, you’ll hold a Student Pilot Permit, pass the PSTAR rules exam, and complete a brief radio course.4.Ground School
We provide you access to online ground school, you can study at your own pace.5.Flight Lessons at CYPK
Dual lessons + solo practice from Pitt Meadows, with nearby practice areas and occasional cross‑country flights to other airports.6.Written Exam (PPAER)
Four subject areas—Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, General Knowledge.7.Flight Test (Transport Canada)
Your capstone checkride in local airspace.
Why Train with Executive Compass Flight Institute?
Expert, Personalized Instruction
Proven Training Curriculum
Community & Networking
Tech-Forward Training: Flight Schedule Pro + ForeFlight
We run a modern training environment so you spend less time on admin and more time learning. Every training aircraft is equipped with an iPad running ForeFlight, and we use Flight Schedule Pro as the digital backbone for booking, dispatch, and operations. Students train on the same tools pro pilots use—right from day one. Learn More
Flight Schedule Pro (operations that stay out of your way)
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Real-time aircraft & instructor availability with easy self-service booking.
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Streamlined dispatch/check-in and automatic flight-time logging with maintenance reminders, so no aircraft flies past an inspection.
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Your lesson plans and syllabus live in the system—track milestones and see exactly what’s next after each flight.
ForeFlight (from planning to debrief)
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Train with the industry-standard EFB: interactive maps & charts, weather, airport info, documents, and synthetic vision—all in one app.
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iPads provided in each aircraft so you learn real-world workflows used in airline and corporate cockpits.
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Post-flight debrief with ForeFlight track logs to replay legs, pinpoint moments, and build self-awareness faster.
Result: smoother logistics, clearer progress, and graduates who are fluent with modern cockpit tech—skills that carry from PPL through CPL and advanced ratings.
Our school, fleet & safety
Executive Compass Flight Institute
Instructors
Aircraft
Simulators
Maintenance teams
Book an Introductory Flight
What Our Students Say
Vitus L.
I have been a student here for well over a year now and I cannot imagine pursuing my aviation journey anywhere else. The people here are phenomenal, very skilled and friendly, and the facility is clean, modern and well-equipped. The chemistry between students, instructors and administrators is incredible and makes for a very positive and exciting learning experience.
Josh O.
A professional flight school that puts people first, emphasizes safety and knowledge, is filled with smart and energizing people, and facilitates a welcoming and fun-yet-serious atmosphere. I attended a different flight school before switching to Executive Compass and I am very happy I swapped, in fact I wish I had started here from the get go. This flight school's scheduling and website is efficient, prices are fair and balanced, instructors are great, and is filled with opportunity for careers to grow and safe, knowledgeable pilots to be born.
Nathan P.
Executive Compass Flight is a professional school. Never was time wasted and I was successful in obtaining my Commercial Pilot’s License. Kudos to Mark and his team!
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