FAQ | Exact Air

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We offer all types
of license and
all qualifications.

Q	Why choose Exact Air?

Exact Air is a school offering the possibility in obtaining your pilot’s licence through private or semi-private courses. We also offer employment opportunities including fire patrol pilot or flight instructor, of which certain conditions must be met. Your courses are held in a welcoming environment by our courteous and friendly qualified professionals.

Furthermore, Exact Air equally operates an air taxi service (charter flights); you will be in constant touch with the practical side of the trade.

Q	Why is Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean a good place to learn how to fly?

A	The region covers a vast territory, including many lakes and rivers, hills and open country. Flying over these areas is a true delight, heightened when a glimpse of the local wildlife is observed! The distance from major airports provides a freedom not possible in larger urban centers.

Q	What are the differences between recreational / private / commercial pilot licenses?

The recreational pilot permit allows you to lower the cost of flying a single engine airplane with a maximum capacity of 4 persons (with only one passenger), during the day, in Canada only. The private pilot license allows you to fly anywhere in Canada and the United States with a single engine airplane and unrestricted passengers. Finally, the commercial license allows you to work for an airline operator with pay.

Q	What ratings can I add after getting my license?

A	Recreational pilot permit: floatplane only Private pilot license: floatplane, night flying, VFR OTT flights, instrument flights (IFR), multi-engine Commercial pilot license: floatplane, night flying, VFR OTT flights, instrument flights (IFR), multi-engine, instructor

Q	Is it possible to complete the theoretical part of the private pilot licence training during my personal studies?

To pass the theoretical examination of the private pilot licence training, you must have completed 10 hours of flight training in airplanes, hold a valid Class 1 or 3 medical certificate as well as a letter of recommendation from an instructor, presented at the theoretical examination of Transport Canada. Transport Canada also requires at least 40 hours of classroom instruction.

Q	What are the required steps in becoming a commercial pilot?

If you're starting from the beginning, you must first have your class 1 medical certificate. Start your course with the theoretical section to obtain the student pilot license and your radio communication permit. You can then start your private pilot licence training. You will continue accumulating hours, alternating hours of solo and dual flights. This is also around this time when you pick up your night rating. You can then add the multi-engine and instrument flight rating.

Please note that if you hold a foreign license, you must have it converted before you can begin your training in Canada. It's usually quite simple and requires only a few hours in adjusting to Canadian standards and some theoretical, especially in respect to regulations.

Q	How long does the training take to complete?

It depends on your availability. A recreational pilot training course can be completed in two months, private pilot licence training can take about 3 months but if taken part time (one to two flights per week) then it may take six to eight months. For the commercial pilot license, you should allow for about 1 year if you are studying full-time.

Q	When do the courses start and what are the schedules offered?

Offering private and semi-private courses, we are able to start training when the time is convenient for you. The class schedule is flexible and you can organize to suit your availability. Generally, students may take two to four segments of three hours per week; however, you must remember; to get a job as a fire patrol pilot or as a flight instructor, you must have the prerequisites before March of each year.

Q	Must I take the theoretical course at the same time as the practical courses?

It is strongly recommended to take the theoretical and in-flight instruction courses at the same time if you are studying full time. If you are enrolled part time, depending on the time you can devote per week to your training, you can take the theoretical classes before beginning your flight training. Please note that it takes 10 dual flight hours before being admissible for the Transport Canada written exam.

Q	What are your terms of payment?

A	When you start your flight training, we require a deposit which covers the cost of lectures, textbooks and your first flight hours. Thereafter, you pay for your training (your flight hours) as you progress.

Q	Is the course tax deductible?

You may deduct the tax from the training costs if you continue your training to obtain a commercial pilot license and you're a Canadian student or permanent resident. You must include the registration certificate from the commercial course when sending your tax return; we provide this completed form on request. For professionals and business leaders who want to become private pilots for their businesses, please consult with your accountant or tax lawyer.

Q	Once my licence is obtained, what must I do to maintain my privileges?

You must have acted as captain in the five years preceding the flight. In the 24 months before the flight, you must have completed a revision in one of the following :

Dual-flights
Flight test
Written exam
Seminar on aviation safety
Ratings
Auto-training program

Q	What is the age limit for flying?

A	Until the medical certificate is no longer valid. We have seen pilots of age 70 still having the abilty to fly their aircraft in complete safely.

Q	What is the labor market and employment opportunities like?

A	It's by forging in which one becomes a blacksmith and it is the accumulation of experience which will make you stand out among the other candidates. It's up to you to add strings to your bow! The industry is in favor of pilots and you will certainly find the job you want quickly.

Q	I be able to work in the aviation industry after I receive my private or recreational license?

A	To be paid in this industry, a commercial pilot license is required.

Q	Exact Air guarantee employment following my commercial training?

Exact Air guarantees (under normal hiring conditions) a job as a patroller for the detection of forest fires or as an instructor. Both of these jobs are of limited duration. Subsequently, when we need staff, we call on the pilots whose skills are already known to us, if they have the required hours.

Q	What is the fire patrol pilot?

In collaboration with the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU), we can therefore offer the possibility of a job as a patroller for the detection of forest fires (also known as fire patrollers). During a five month period, the pilot manages their flights and is responsible for the camera, with the possibility of accumulating over 200 flight hours. You will be divided into one of four bases in Quebec being Baie-Comeau, Roberval, La Tuque or Bonaventure.

Every year, we hire about 15 pilots: we normally hire seven new and re-hire eight former patrollers. The prerequisites for this job are to possess a commercial pilot license, your single or multi IFR rating and have 290 flight hours. You must also be trained on the Cessna-182. In addition, we will take into account attendance, as much for the practical as the theoretical, which you have displayed in your lessons and the safe practices shown.

Q	What does a job as a flight instructor consist of?

Subsequent in obtaining the flight instructor rating, you will have a class 4 licence but we offer you the chance to obtain instructor class 3. Since 1994, we have had the contract every summer, in training young air cadets allowing them to obtain their private pilot license. The contract lasts about seven weeks and requires the hiring of 4 to 5 new instructors. With class 3, you can teach in our school (according to our staffing needs at the end of the season) or, wherever you want in Canada! You can also give private lessons to customers who own their own aircraft. If you wish, you can then take steps to advance to class 2 and then onto class 1.

Q	Is it possible to rent the aircrafts?

You can rent a plane for personal flights (certain verifications are required) or if you do not have a valid pilot’s license, we offer scenic tours over the region. A very unique opportunity, especially if you are thinking about coming home to study or simply to see the area from a different perspective. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during the summer months when our planes are in high demand.

Q	What is the difference between the C-152, the C-172 and the C-182?

A	The C-172 offers four seats and a slightly more powerful engine compared to the C-152 which offers two seats. Both are used mainly for educational purposes. The C-182 is the aircraft used by the fire patrol.

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