Instrument Rating (IFR) Training
Heli-College is closing down most of its commercial training operations over the next few months. We are currently only providing accelerated IFR Ground Tutoring for private individuals in the process of preparing for their IFR written examination.
We are no longer able to offer IFR flight training unless the private individual has their own suitably equipped IFR aircraft available.
We are still able to provide Dual IFR Simulator Training on the ATC112 Simulator at a cost of $100 per hour.
We are also able to offer IFR examiner services for both initial and renewal IFR flight tests in a variety of aircraft or simulators as long as the examiner is rated on type. Call us for more information
Since Heli-College no longer has an operational IFR R22 in its fleet, the following information on Flight Training is for informational purposes only. Heli-College is only offering private IFR flight training on a student's own aircraft.
The following is a breakdown of an IFR training program. Adjustments to proposed number of hours may vary depending on the previous experience of the candidate.
This course is offered to holders of a Private (PPL(H)) or Commercial (CPL(H)) Helicopter Pilot Licence, or an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL(H)), valid in an ICAO country. On successful completion, the pilot will be granted a Canadian Group 4 (Helicopter) Instrument Rating.
Courses are held as required and are usually limited to a maximum of 4 participants. A completed application form and a $1000.00 deposit are required to reserve a space on course. This deposit must be received prior to the issue of an acceptance letter for visa purposes. Please note that you are not permitted to work in Canada on a student visa
Course contents :
Training is divided into two main categories:
(1) Training to be conducted on Fixed Wing Aircraft
15 Hrs. Dual Fixed Wing Flight
- basic instruments in the Fixed Wing
- aircraft power and attitude relationships in the Fixed Wing environment
- basic flight manoeuvres, straight and level, climbs and descents, timed turns, ADF, VOR, and GPS tracking
- holding procedures
- introduction to instrument approach procedures in the Fixed Wing aircraft including VOR, ADF, and ILS
- completion of the 100nm IFR cross-country requirement
- cockpit duties and ATC communication procedures
20 Hrs. Dual Helicopter Simulator
instrument and aircraft handling in the Rotary Wing environment- autorotation entry and recovery on instruments
- unusual attitude recovery
- cockpit resource management and co-pilot load sharing in the two-pilot helicopter environment
- IFR clearance copying and radio procedures
- appropriate use of standardized IFR checklists and the "AMORTES" checks
- Departure, enroute, holding, and transition to arrival procedures
- helicopter approach procedures - ILS, GPS, ADF/RMI, PAR
- simulation of in-flight IFR emergencies
- simulated Flight Test
- practise in basic flight techniques
- practise in solo navigation and communication procedures utilizing pre-programmed taped training cassettes
- solo practise of emergency procedures
- a 20 hour program of combined VHS, DVD, computer based training, and audio cassette presentations reviewing the essential background knowledge and specific skills required for IFR operations and flight
- review of instrument flight manoeuvres in the Rotary Wing environment
- Instrument Flight Rules including Flight Planning, Departures, Enroute, Arrival, Approaches, and Emergencies
- Use of IFR standardized checklists and CRM
- review of meteorology theory and interpretation of weather reports and charts
- Navigation aids - theory of operation and error limitations
- Cross-country navigation procedures
- flight testing requirements
- preparation for, and execution of, the required written examination
- pre and post flight briefings pertaining to the simulator and helicopter portion of the flight training
practise of the techniques and procedures covered in the simulator and Fixed Wing as applied to the Rotary Wing environment- practical use of the Garmin 430W, use of RAIM prediction, GPS overlay and stand alone approach procedures
- HSI, and RMI instruments as appropriate to the particular aircraft you are training in.
- cockpit resource management and appropriate use of check lists in the two-pilot environment
- practise of instrument exercises and flight test preparation
- practise of IFR in-flight emergency procedures
- We have a Transport Canada Designated IFR Pilot Examiner (DPEI) on staff !
(This results in fewer delays when booking your final flight test.) - Our DPEI is also an "Authorized Person", who can sign off your license immediately on the successful completion of your course.
- approximately 2.0 hours ground time and 1.5 hours flight time are required for the flight test.
*All prices are in Canadian Dollars
Course Costs :
Ground School
Ground school costs will vary depending on how much one-on-one time is required. However, an average pilot who is current, can expect to spend between $600.00 and $1500.00 CAD for the ground portion of the training. We offer an instructor-directed program, with a full set of in-house IFR ground briefings and examination preparation seminars. Your high time, group 4 instrument rated, Class 1 helicopter instructor will oversee your progress as you move through the course, and will personally deliver individual briefings and tutoring sessions as required. This is why we cannot tell you that you will be completed in 4 weeks! It takes more time than that to adequately cover all the necessary material required for this rating. However, the end result is that you will leave the course with a solid understanding of the helicopter IFR flight environment.
Flat fee for use of facilities, video courses, computer assisted learning systems, all worksheets, section quizzes, and all 5 final practise examinations : $600.00.
Group ground school classes : $40.00 / hour
One-on-one ground school briefings : $60.00 / hour
Allow approximately $300.00 for books and materials.
Flight Training
Again, the amount of training required will varies depending on the currency level of the student. The average pilot requires between 4 to 10 hours of Fixed Wing flying and 5 to 10 hours of Rotary Wing flying including the recommendation ride and flight test. Therefore the cost could range from $4000.00 to $8000.00 CAD for the flight portion of the training.
Cessna 172 (IFR equipped with ILS/VOR/ADF) : $360.00 / hour
Robinson R22 (IFR equipped with ILS/VOR/ADF/HSI/RMI/GPS or ILS/VOR/GPS - Garmin 430W installed in both aircraft) : $650.00 / hour
Simulator Training
Our ATC 112H Helicopter Simulator is inspected and certified by Transport Canada. Allow approximately $850.00 to $2000.00 for simulator training.
Dual Simulator time : $100.00 / hour
Solo Simulator time : $35.00 / hour
Solo Simulator Package (unlimited solo practise during your course period) : $500.00
Living Expenses
Please remember that you will require funds to cover your living and transportation expenses for the duration of your training course.
Total Cost? Well ... it varies, depending on what you need. The IFR course as detailed above would cost $12,310.00 if completed on an RH22 aircraft.
For most individuals, the average cost for the entire course varies between approximately $8000.00 to $12000.00 CAD depending on the previous flight experience and current requirements of the candidate.
You are also advised to allow approximately $800.00 CAD for licensing, flight test, and examination fees to be paid directly to your examiner and Transport Canada.
However ... Your total cost may be significantly reduced, depending on your previous instrument experience, provided that you have adequate documentation in your log books. If you currently hold a valid instrument rating from another ICAO country, then you may only have to complete the written exam and a flight test to qualify for the Canadian IFR rating. Of course, if your decide to substitute more Rotary Wing flight time for Fixed Wing flight time, your costs will be higher.
Since our courses are customized to meet your individual needs, you pay only for the training you require.
Course Duration :
Up to 4 weeks depending on your level of currency on entry to the course, and how well the weather cooperates..
A pre-requisite of the issue of an instrument rating in Canada is 50 hours of (VFR) PIC cross country experience. If you do not yet have this requirement, it can be arranged to complete the required cross country time concurrently with your IFR training course.
You must hold a valid CAT 1 or CAT 3 Canadian medical certificate prior to being permitted to take any of the exams. Usually the best way to handle this, is to have us pre-book your medical examinations for soon after your arrival to allow sufficient time for processing, while you continue to study for the exams. To avoid delays, it is also suggested that you bring copies of any special medical testing and assessment reports that support any unusual medical conditions previously approved by your country's aviation medical system.
It is imperative that you bring the following documentation with you:* all certified log books (and military training records, if applicable), not just the current logbook! ... since review of the record of initial flight training is required by Transport Canada if you wish to get credit for any previous instrument time.
* valid private, commercial or airline transport helicopter pilot licence
* valid medical, and supporting medical reports for any unusual conditions
* Photo ID
* proof of citizenship
Availability :
Course Dates : On Demand
* Note 1: Courses generally start on the first Monday of each month, but dates are flexible to a degree.
Call us if this doesn't fit into your schedule. Depending on your needs, we may be able to
fit you in part way through a course or delay your start a week or two.
