Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Become A Pilot?

Transport Canada sets the standards for all pilot licencing. You have two choices, a Recreational Pilot Permit or a Private Pilot Licence. Both require similar hours of ground school but the Recreational Pilot Permit requires 25 hours of flight (including at least 5 solo) while the Private Pilot Licence requires 45 hours of flight training including at least 12 hours solo. After you receive a written recommendation from your instructor, you take the written exam and the flight test.

How Do I Become A Commercial Pilot

A candidate for a Commercial Pilot Licence must have a total of 200 flight hours. These hours can include night and instrument ratings. Once you have your commercial pilot licence you may fly for hire.

How Long Will It Take?

Everyone works at their own rate, depending on time and money. The recreational and Private courses can be completed in anywhere from 3 - 4 weeks to I - 2 years. Pilots working on their commercial are usually career oriented and will complete their course in 6 - 8 months. Most people attend school or are working full time while getting their licence. To accommodate them our schedule is very flexible. Bookings are made on a individual basis 7 days a week. For out of town or foreign students accelerated courses are available.

Five Reasons Why Millennium Aviation Ltd. Is The Right Place To Learn.

1) A FULL SERVICE INSTITUTION

Saskatoon's only dedicated flight school. We teach people how to become pilots, we do not do charters nor do we do maintenance, we are committed only to teaching you how to fly! Our Chief Flying Instructor is one of Canada's most experienced flight instructors. We offer Recreational, Private, Commercial, and Airline Transport Courses. Night, VFR Over The Top, Aerobatic, Instructor and Instrument endorsements and ratings are offered 7 days a week. Our fleet of aircraft are all commercially registered and maintained. We are acutely aware of our students' needs and we listen to their concerns.

2) COST EFFICIENT LEARNING

On average, our Recreational permit and Private Pilot Licence will cost less than the national average. Accelerated learning is possible because we run a complete operation with top quality instructors and fully equipped training aircraft. Our Ground School runs continuously and is supplemented by video assisted learning. Millennium Aviation gives you the best value for your training dollar.

3) THE BEST FLYING WEATHER

Environment Canada statistics prove that Saskatoon has excellent weather for VFR flight training,

4) THE RIGHT AMOUNT AND MIX OF AIRCRAFT

Our airport in Saskatoon will give you the varied flight experience you will need. Light aircraft, commuter twins, military trainers, and commercial jets all use Saskatoon's airport daily. With the practice area close by and few delays on the ground or in the air, the student has the most efficient educational environment possible.

5) COMPLETE FACILITIES

There is a Pilots' Lounge on the premises as well as a classroom, briefing rooms, hangar, waiting room and flight office. Students at Millennium Aviation meet on the ground on well as in the air.

Why You Should Learn To Fly

Whether for business or pleasure, Private Aviation is without a doubt the best method of travel. You control your schedule and you travel more than twice as fast than a car. A private aircraft gets you much closer to your destination: Airlines serve about 550 cities in North America, by piloting your own aircraft you can access approximately 16,000 towns and cities.

Flying Is Fun!

Many pilots say that flying is the most fun they have. Itís exhilarating beyond belief, but itís not inherently difficult. In fact, almost anyone can become a pilot if they apply themselves. Like any learned hobby or skill, it takes practice and concentration, but the learning is also fun. Flying doesnít take superhuman skills or brain power; pilots are just average people from every walk of life. Contrary to what you may have heard, you donít need perfect vision or perfect health to be a pilot. Age is not a factor, you can solo when youíre as young as 14 or learn to fly after you retire. Formal education is not a requirement, nor is the ability to drive a car. You must, however be able to read and write either English or French. To become a pilot you have to pass three exams: A medical by a Transport Canada approved Doctor, a 100 question multiple-choice written exam that will evaluate your knowledge on the flying subjects and a practical exam in the aircraft. To prepare you for these exams you will need the 40 hour ground school course and an additional 30 - 60 hours of self study. The flight portion consists of 25 hours for a recreational permit and 45 hours for a private pilot licence. The commercial pilot licence requires an additional 40 hours of ground school, approximately 100 hours of self study and a total of 200 hours flight time. To obtain your commercial pilot licence you also need to pass another 100 question written multiple choice test and a practical flight test.

Flying Is Safe

As a pilot , you dictate the safety of your own flights: you choose the weather you fly in, what altitude to fly and how much fuel to carry. Your flying instructor will teach you to make safe, conservative decisions and will train you to handle unforeseen events. Statistically, if you remove the accidents caused by recklessness (running out of gas, low flying, pressing on into known bad weather) flying is actually safer than driving a car. Your training will end with a final flight test by a Designated Flight Test Examiner. By passing this test, you be officially certified as a person who is capable of safely operating an aircraft. The rest is up to you!

Costs at Millennium Aviation Ltd. are surprisingly low. In most cases, you pay for each lesson as you take it. Plan on at least two lessons per week, (week-ends and evenings are fine) to get the maximum benefit from the lessons and to complete your course in the minimum time allowed. With the weak Canadian dollar, foreign students find that training in Canada is extremely economical. We can help you obtain a Student Visa and with our accelerated program the time required to complete the course can be greatly reduced. Accommodation is available near the airport at a reasonable cost.