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How to Get an Ultralight Pilot Permit in Canada: Requirements, Training and Cost
This is general information, not legal or flight training advice. Requirements can change, so confirm the current rules with Transport Canada and a flight training unit before you start.
Quick answer: in Canada you fly an ultralight on a pilot permit, not a full pilot licence. You must be at least 16 to hold the permit, pass a medical check or declaration, complete at least 20 hours of ground school and 10 hours of flight time, pass the ULTRA written exam with 60%, and get an instructor's letter. You can start training at 14 on a student pilot permit. Training costs vary by school, and your insurance needs to be sorted out before you or anyone else flies solo in your own aircraft.
Permit, not licence
People search for an ultralight "licence", and Transport Canada's term is Pilot Permit – Ultra-light Aeroplane. It is a lighter-weight credential than a private pilot licence, with its own training requirements and privileges. Transport Canada's pilot licence and permit page describes the permits and the medical standards that apply to them.
If you are still deciding what to buy, our guide to ultralight insurance in Canada explains the Basic and Advanced ultralight categories, which insurers recognize when they tailor cover.
Step 1: The student pilot permit
You do not need a full permit to begin flying with an instructor. Under Standard 421, the Student Pilot Permit – Ultra-light Aeroplane has these requirements:
- A minimum age of 14.
- A flight instructor must certify that you scored at least 90% on a written examination of the listed subjects, with every error corrected to 100%.
- A Civil Aviation Medical Declaration, or a medical certificate in Category 1, 3 or 4.
Transport Canada says the student permit allows solo flight under the direct supervision of a flight instructor.
Step 2: The medical
For the full pilot permit, Transport Canada says medical fitness is normally shown by a medical exam with a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner, but the ultralight permit can instead use a Civil Aviation Medical Declaration. How often you must renew depends on your age and permit type, and the page refers to section 424 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations for the schedule. If you have any health condition that might affect flying, ask your examiner or a flight training unit what applies to you before you pay for lessons.
Step 3: Training you must complete
Standard 421, section 421.21 sets the minimums for the pilot permit:
The section does not specify a flight test for the permit. Those are minimums, not a prediction of how long it will take you. Ask a school how many hours its students usually need before the instructor is willing to sign the letter.
Step 4: Apply, then learn what the permit lets you do
Once you have the training, the exam result and the letter, you apply to Transport Canada. The permit comes with limits, and they matter for planning. Under section 401.21, an ultralight permit holder may fly only under day VFR, and may act as pilot-in-command alone. Carrying one other person is allowed only in set circumstances. A passenger requires a passenger-carrying rating on your permit and completed training that includes dual instruction and solo flight on the class of ultralight you are flying, and the aircraft must have no restriction against carrying another person. You may also carry one other person who holds a pilot licence or permit that lets them act as pilot-in-command of an ultralight, but not a student permit.
What does it cost?
There is no single figure, and a general number would mislead you. The UPAC page on permit costs says ground school runs "anywhere from $250 to $1000" depending on materials and facilities. It gives no figure for flight training, saying costs vary widely with the type of aircraft, facilities and instructors, that every school charges different rates, and that training is usually cheaper if you own your own ultralight. The page carries no date, so treat the range as a guide.
To build your own estimate, ask each school for:
- The ground school price, and what is included
- The hourly rate for the aircraft and for instruction, and whether fuel and landing fees are extra
- How many hours its students typically take compared with the 10-hour minimum
- The cost of the exam and the permit application
- The cost of your medical or declaration
Insurance while you train and once you fly
If you are buying, owning or borrowing an aircraft while you train, that is the point to talk to an insurer. Air1's ultralight insurance page says insurers review the ultralight category, make and model, value, modifications, pilot training, total hours, time on type and recent experience, and that named pilots and any changes to the aircraft or its use must be disclosed.
Two points deserve a conversation before you fly solo in your own aircraft:
- Student flying. Air1's page notes that policies may restrict passenger or student operations, so do not assume your policy covers a student flying solo or training with an instructor. Ask to see it in writing.
- Passengers. The page says passenger coverage depends on the aircraft category, the approved operation, pilot qualifications and underwriting. Even once your permit allows a passenger, confirm the policy does too.
When you request a quote, you will be asked for permit or licence details, training, total hours, time on type, recent experience and claims history for every pilot. Having your training records organised makes that quicker. For the legal requirement behind all of this, see our guide on whether aircraft insurance is mandatory in Canada.
FAQ
How old do you have to be to fly an ultralight in Canada?
You can start on a student pilot permit at 14, and the minimum age for the Pilot Permit – Ultra-light Aeroplane is 16.
How many hours does it take to get an ultralight permit?
The regulations set minimums of 20 hours of ground school and 10 hours of flight time, including 5 dual and 2 solo. How long it takes you depends on your progress and your instructor.
Do I need a medical to fly an ultralight in Canada?
Yes, in the form of a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner exam or a Civil Aviation Medical Declaration. The student permit accepts a declaration or a Category 1, 3 or 4 medical certificate.
What is the ULTRA exam?
It is the written exam for the permit, and the minimum score is 60%.
Can I carry a passenger in an ultralight?
Only with a passenger-carrying rating on your permit, completed training on the class of aircraft, and an aircraft with no restriction against carrying another person.
Does ultralight insurance cover student pilots?
It depends on the policy. Air1's page says policies may restrict student operations, so ask for a written answer before a student flies your aircraft.
If you are buying or already own an ultralight, Air1's ultralight insurance options are a good place to start, and you can request a quote to talk through pilot experience and training with an advisor.