Ground School Start Dates & Schedule

Private Pilot Licence Ground School Start Dates

  • 2024 Dates
    • Saturday January 6th, 2024
    • Thursday February 1st, 2024
    • Thursday March 28th, 2024

Course Format
In person at Brampton Flight Centre (BFC)

Course Length
Ground school for our Private Pilot Licence runs for 16 weeks, once a week for 3 hours per class.

Course Offered
Ground school is offered in the evenings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7-10pm, and on Saturdays from 10am-1pm. 

Benefits of Conducting Ground School with BFC
– Active members are able to attend classes as many times as needed on any day, without additional cost as long as they have proof of purchase (receipt may be required) and have active membership.

– Help with meeting tax credits of 12 hours of minimum training per month. Students must meet 12 hours of training per month in order to be eligible for a tax receipt for that given month. Ground school taken at another institute will not be taken into account for purposes of these calculations.

-Will be given access to practice exams to help prepare you for the Transport Canada written exam. Recommend letters will only be issued by BFC instructors once you met the necessary passing requirements and only IF you have attended ground school provided by the Brampton Flight Centre.

How to Prepare for ClassPrivate Pilot Course Outline and Recommended Readings

PPL #1 Introduction and SMS
This lesson covers the basic rules and regulations of the Brampton Flying Club, licensing requirements for
PPL and RPP, and also covers operational procedures for our Safety Management System.

PPL #2 Principles of Flight
During this session we will discuss airframe construction, forces acting on an aircraft in flight, movements
and controls, aircraft stability and flight performance.
Reference: From the Ground Up: pages 19 – 38 and Flight Training Manual: pages 3 ‐ 15.

PPL #3 Flight Instruments
This lesson will involve an analysis of atmospheric pressure, the pitot static system, gyroscopic theory and
associated instruments. The magnetic compass will also be discussed.
Reference: From the Ground Up: pages 39 – 52.

PPL #4 Canadian Air Regulations (CARs) and Flight Operations
Topics to include aerodrome layout, traffic procedures, the Canadian Airspace System, radio wave theory
and frequency bands, radio communication facilities and procedures.
Reference: From the Ground Up: pages 97 – 121, Flight Training Manual: pages 206 – 209 and RTOC
study guide

PPL #5 Engines and Aircraft Systems
Topics covered will include types of combustion engines, the four stroke cycle, engine timing, cooling,
lubrication, fuel systems, carburetors, mixture control, exhaust system, ignition system, electrical system,
propellers, engine instruments and engine operation considerations.
Reference: From the Ground Up: pages 3 – 15, 53 – 93 and Flight Training Manual: pages 40 ‐ 44.

PPL #6 Flight Operations: Airmanship and Performance
During this session we will discuss care of the airplane, weight and balance, factors affecting aircraft
performance and performance charts, wake turbulence, and handling flight abnormalities.
Reference: From the Ground Up: pages 281 – 318, AIM AIR section, POH

PPL #7 Documents, Air Law and PSTAR
The aim of this class is to review rules of the air and procedures. Students are expected to study the AIM
references outlined in the PSTAR study guide PRIOR to attending this class. Please come prepared to write
the PSTAR exam.
Reference: PSTAR study guide, AIM and CARs

PPL #8 Meteorology I: Basic Theory
In this class we will discuss the atmosphere, clouds, pressure, winds, humidity, temperature and stability.
Reference: From the Ground Up: pages 137 – 154, Royal Canadian Air Force Weather Manual

PPL #9 Meteorology II: Air Masses, Fronts and Hazards
Topics will include air masses, fronts, precipitation, fog types, thunderstorms, icing and turbulence.
Reference: From the Ground Up: pages 154 – 174, Royal Canadian Air Force Weather Manual

PPL #10 Meteorology III: Weather Interpretation
This lesson will involve a look at available sources of weather data, decoding and analyzing weather
observations and forecasts such as METARs, TAFs, FDs, and GFAs.
Reference: From the Ground Up: pages 174 – 191, AIM MET section, Aviation Weather Services Guide

PPL #11 Flight Computer
During this session we will discuss how to use your E6B flight computer. Time, speed and distance, fuel
consumption, fuel burn, true altitude and wind correction calculations plus many more.
Reference: From the Ground Up: pages 195 – 210, Flight Computer (E6B/CX-2/CX-3) User Manual

PPL #12 Navigation I: Basic Theory
During this session we will discuss latitude and longitude, the earth’s magnetism and aeronautical charts.
Reference: From the Ground Up: pages 210 – 225.

PPL #13 Navigation II: Introduction to Flight Planning
This is a practical class involving navigation problems as well as preparing the chart and flight log for a
cross country trip: Brampton to Collingwood to Muskoka and return via the same route. By the end of the
class, initial preparation for the trip is completed including topics such as extracting info from the CFS,
preparing the chart, checking NOTAMs and filling up the Nav log without any weather info.
Reference: VNC, POH, CFS and Flight Computer (E6B/CX-2/CX-3) User Manual

PPL #14 Navigation III: More Flight Planning
Continuation of PVT #12 with focus on getting weather info, using the flight computer to come up with
navigational and performance figures, filling and using en route log, filling out an ICAO flight plan form
and role of FSS. This class relies on the skills learnt during the previous two Nav classes.
Reference: From the Ground Up: pages 227 – 277

PPL #15 Radio Aids to Navigation
In this class we will discuss radio wave theory, the theory of operation, application of various radio aids to
navigation including VORs, NDBs & ADFs, DME, VORTACs, TACANs, GPS, radar, transponders and ELTs.
Reference: From the Ground Up: pages 333 – 355.

PPL #16 Aviation Physiology, Human Factors and Pilot Decision Making
During this session we will discuss medical factors affecting pilots such as; hypoxia, carbon monoxide poisoning, hyperventilation, decompression sickness, sensory illusions, alcohol, drugs, blood donation, fatigue, pregnancy, nutrition, stress and physical fitness. Also this class analyzes the pilot decision making process and other related issues such as pilot attitude, the “DECIDE” process, human factors, and air
safety.
Reference: From the Ground Up: pages 309 – 323 and AIM AIR section

AIM = Aeronautical Information Manual
CARs = Canadian Aviation Regulations
CFS = Canadian Flight Supplement
POH = Pilot Operating Handbook
PSTAR = Student Pilot Permit Exam
RTOC = Radio Telephone Operator’s Certificate study guide
VNC = VFR Navigation Chart


PPL Ground School Most Up-To-Date Schedule go to EVENTS CALENDAR on the website homepage
***Please check the Events Calendar regularly as if there are any adjustments, changes, revisions to the ground school classes they will be reflected in the Events Calendar

Commercial Pilot Licence Ground School Start Dates

  • 2024 Future Dates To Be Announced
  • To express your interest for future course dates or for the Accelerated Option please notify Ground School Coordinator/ACFI Julie Marzoli [email protected]

Course Format
In person at Brampton Flight Centre (BFC)

Course Cost
$650 plus tax for active members.

Course Offered and Length
Ground school may be offered twice a weekday from 7-10pm or approximately 4 months or an accelerated ground school may be offered during the day typically 8 hours a day for three weeks. Course classes will be offered based on demand.

– Active members are able to attend classes as many times as needed on any day, without additional cost as long as they have proof of purchase (receipt may be required) and have active membership.

– Help with meeting tax credits of 12 hours of minimum training per month. Students must meet 12 hours of training per month in order to be eligible for a tax receipt for that given month. Ground school taken at another institute will not be taken into account for purposes of these calculations.

-Will be given access to practice exams to help prepare you for the Transport Canada written exam. Recommend letters will only be issued by BFC instructors once you met the necessary passing requirements and only IF you have attended ground school provided by the Brampton Flight Centre.

How to Prepare for Class

CPL Ground School Recommended Readings

CPL Ground School Schedule

Notes for CPL Training
Students wishing to pursue CPL flight training must first hold the PPL endorsement. If you wish to attend CPL ground school while finishing your PPL flight training, it is possible as some exceptions apply.

Instrument Rating Course Ground School

  • In-depth IFR course conjoined with AeroCourse
  • NEXT COURSE (5 day course): To Be Determined
  • No membership required for In-depth IFR Ground School
  • In-person ground school taught at Brampton Flight Centre
  • Registration and more information can be found online with AeroCourse

Flight Training can start at any time!

You must first be a member of Brampton Flight Centre prior to joining Ground School. This can be done in person. You will be able to register for Ground School at the same time. 

Call Flight Training and Student Services at ext. 228 or book an introductory flight! with our Pilot Shop at ext 214.

Email [email protected]

Toronto Toll free 416-798-7928
Local 905-838-1400
Toll Free 1-800-387-2534