Frequently Asked Questions
How often will I fly?
Training times vary each term. On average you will be scheduled in to fly two times per week. Each session is approximately two hours long, which includes ground briefings to prepare for the flight.
Ground school will be held on campus (one class per week).
What kind of aircraft will I train on?
In the first year of the program you will train on a Cessna 172sp 2000 with standard avionics. During the second year you will be introduced to the latest avionics while you fly the Cessna 172sp 2006 with the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit. In the third and final year of the program you will complete your multi-engine training and instrument rating on a PA-31 Piper Navajo, one of the most widely used charter aircrafts in Canada (most likely you will fly the same type of aircraft that you will be flying on your first job).
Is financial assistance available for this program?
Most provinces provide student loans or grants for Canadian citizens. The amount of assistance available depends on the province, the financial need of the applicant, and the length of the program. More information can be found at Financial Aid or Student Loans.
I have a university degree or I am currently a student at a university, would there be any way to exempt me from some of the courses in the academic portion of the program?
Depending on the program/faculty of interest, you will need to contact the Faculty directly to review your courses and official transcripts.
How long does it take to travel between the University campus and the Fredericton Airport where the Flight training takes place?
A one-way trip takes approximately 15 minutes. Students are expected to be at the airport at least 30 minutes prior to their scheduled time to prepare for the flight.
What happens if I miss a scheduled training flight or ground school?
Attendance to your scheduled flight training and ground school is mandatory. If you miss a flight due to unforeseen circumstances, you will be responsible for rescheduling your training time.
If Capital Airways must cancel a flight training booking due to weather, Capital Airways is responsible to immediately reschedule your training time.
If you fall behind schedule due to poor weather, you will be required to make up the time by rescheduling additional flight training, most likely on days that you are not normally scheduled to fly. Capital Airways offers flexible training options weekdays, evenings, and weekends and will work with you to reschedule.
Successful completion of UNB's Aviation program requires that students be flexible in matters of scheduling.
What type of assignments and exams are required for flight training?
You will be given periodic assignments, reading material, and exams from Capital Airways. This will facilitate your learning and prepare you for Transport Canada exams. Throughout the flight training you will be required to write four Transport Canada written exams, and four flight tests from a Pilot Examiner, delegated by Transport Canada.
How many hours of flight training will I have accomplished upon the completion of the Aviation program?
You will complete 200 hours of flight time during your flight training. Approximately 30 hours of this time will be multi-engine time.
What Transport Canada flight licenses will I complete in the Aviation program?
In your first year, you will complete your Private Pilot License, and Night Rating, followed by Commercial Pilot training in your second year of study. In your third year, you will complete your multi-engine rating, and Group 1 Instrument Rating.
Can I expect to be hired by a major airline when I graduate?
Most major airlines require extensive experience from pilots before they will hire them. This usually includes a university degree, as well as extensive flight experience. Many major airlines look for approximately 5000 hours of flight time, which usually includes jet time. Normally you would build this experience from such jobs as flight instructing, and charter flying.
Is Fredericton a good location for flight training?
Fredericton is a great place for flight training. Our training areas are only a five minute flight from the Fredericton airport, so you get the maximum flight training time possible. You will be provided with both controlled and uncontrolled airport procedures, as well as learning to fly in the diverse weather of the Maritimes. In the C-172 we are approximately 1.5 hours flight time from such centres as Halifax, and Quebec City, and approximately three hour flights from Ottawa, or Boston.
