Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC)
Located at the Waterloo Regional International Airport, the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC) was established in 1932 as a non-profit organization. WWFC is considered to be one of the top flight schools in Canada. The flight centre has a large group of qualified flight instructors, and operates a fleet of 29 aircraft, including Cessna, Diamond, and Piper.
WWFC is modern and fully-equipped to turn your dreams into a reality. The classrooms are outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. Individual study and briefing rooms are also available.
All Geography and Aviation and Science and Aviation students receive the same flight training from the WWFC. Please attend one of WWFC's information sessions to learn more about the flight centre, meet flight instructors, and tour the facilities.
In-aircraft instruction
This type of instruction involves training one-on-one with a flight instructor. Your first goal will be learning to fly straight-and-level, take-off, and land; building to your first ‘solo’ flight. Over the course of the program your flying skills will advance to the level where you can act as a commercial pilot of a multi-engine aircraft, capable of flying exclusively by referencing your instruments (such as in cloudy conditions where you can’t see the ground or horizon).
Preparatory Ground Instruction (PGI) instruction is taught by WWFC flight instructors in a classroom setting. The goal of PGI is to teach you the underlying knowledge required to effectively maneuver an aircraft. PGI directly supports your in-aircraft flight training.
Year 1
Winter (January - April)
In-aircraft (20 hours)
This initial flight training prepares the student for their first solo and subsequent upper air work. Topics include: attitudes and movements, straight and level flight, climbs and descents, flight for range and endurance, slow flight and stalls, spins, steep turns, slips, forced approaches, diversions, and precautionary landings. Following solo, students will continue to refine their skills on the exercises listed above.
PGI
This part of Flight Lab One will prepare students for their initial phases of flight training, leading to their first solo flight and initial upper air work. Lab One, split into Parts A and B over the fall and winter semesters in the first year of the program provide the required PGI for all flights up to the Private Pilot Licence (PPL).
Spring (May - August)
In-aircraft (45 hours)
There are no University of Waterloo courses scheduled in this term. Students will continue working on the exercises listed in the previous term and work on navigation, cross-country flight, instrument work and preparation for their private flight test.
PGI
This is a continuation of Flight Lab One (Part A) and completes the required PGI for the PPL. It includes practical navigation and meteorology exercises, in flight emergency procedures, and aircraft performance calculations.
Year 2
Fall (September - December)
In-aircraft (20 hours)
This block completes the Night Rating and builds Pilot in Command time towards the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). Flights are undertaken both with classmates (mutual) and alone (solo) to build experience and confidence. Terminal areas, longer cross-country, trans-border and instrument work are included in this phase of training.
PGI
This flight lab segment provides the PGI for the night rating and ‘time build phases’ of training leading to the commercial licence. Emphasis is on cross-country navigation and flight, as well as night operations.
Spring (May - August)
In-aircraft (65 hours)
There are no Waterloo courses scheduled in this term. This block builds Pilot in Command time towards the commercial licence. Flights are undertaken both with classmates (mutual) and alone (solo) to build experience and confidence. Terminal areas, longer cross-country, trans-border and instrument work are included in this phase of training. This phase prepares the student for their commercial flight test (at about 150 hours of total logged time).
PGI
This flight lab provides the completion of the PGI required for the CPL. Emphasis is on complex single and twin-engine aircraft performance, advanced practical exercises in navigation and meteorology and instrument flying rules.
Year 3
Fall (September - December)
In-aircraft (25 hours)
This phase includes the Multi-Engine Rating on the Piper Seminole and the completion of the Multi-Engine Instrument Rating.
PGI
There is no PGI during this term.
Spring (May - August)
In-aircraft (50 hours)
There are no Waterloo courses scheduled in this term. This phase builds Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (IFR) flight time in preparation for the IFR Flight Test. Emphasis is on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and two-crew environment. Actual IFR flight will be conducted whenever practical. Completion of required flight experience for the CPL including cross-country flights, including one long flight to the Maritimes or Florida will build flight planning experience, en route problem-solving and flying in unfamiliar territory. Use of instrument navigation and use of Low En Route (LO) Charts is emphasized.
PGI
This flight lab provides the required PGI for the IFR.
Emphasis is on practical exercises in performance calculations for complex, multi engine and turbo-prop aircraft. Meteorology tasks focus on IFR weather conditions and developing solid pilot decision making skills.
Ground school
The following six courses are theory-based classroom training which cover the knowledge requirements necessary for a professional pilot. The content aligns with the "Transport Canada Study and Reference Guides" for pilot training. Areas of study include air law, meteorology, navigation, and general airmanship.
This instruction culminates in the writing of Transport Canada written examinations. To earn a pilot license, you must successfully complete a flight test and a Transport Canada written examination.
Year 1
I and II Flight Management: Basic - 150 lecture and tutorial hours
This course prepares students to pass the Transport Canada Private Pilot Licence (PPL) written examination, while building a solid foundation for future professional pilot studies in this program. The class lectures will provide the required theoretical material and the tutorials will enable students to work with and apply the material as it relates to flying. Topics include: company operations, theory of flight, aircraft systems, flight instruments, meteorology, air traffic aervices, visual flight rules (VFR) navigation, flight planning, air regulations and human factors.
Year 2
III and IV Flight Management: Intermediate - 150 lecture and tutorial hours
This course prepares students to pass the Transport Canada Commercial written examination. It builds a deeper understanding of the material in "Flight Management: Basic" and introduces topics such as complex aircraft systems, advanced (radio) navigation, air regulations as they apply to commercial air services, transportation of dangerous goods, survival skills and first aid. Class lectures will focus on the theoretical material and the tutorials will provide practical exercises, seminars and preparation for the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) written exam.
Year 3
V Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) - 75 lecture and tutorial hours
This course prepares students to pass the Transport Canada Instrument written examination. It focuses on multi engine aircraft systems, IFR rules and procedures, meteorology for IFR operations, advanced navigation instrumentation and radio aids, and multi-crew operations and coordination. The class lectures provide the theoretical framework for IFR operations and the tutorials provide opportunities to develop and refine the skills required for success in IFR flying.
VI Airline Operations (Ops) - 75 lecture and tutorial hours
This course will provide students with multi engine turbo prop ground schools (Cessna Caravan and King Air). Additional advanced topics include: global positioning systems (GPS), electronic flight instrument systems (EFIS), and flight management systems (FMS). Finally, students will learn about air taxi operations and participate in a ‘virtual airline’ simulation project.