Training > I haven't flown for many years. How do I renew my licence or permit?
It often happens that Pilots stop flying for some years and wonder what is required to renew their Pilot Licence or their Recreational Pilot Licence. It is usually a lot easier than they think. What needs to be done depends on whether or not they have flown as Pilot in Command (PIC) in the last five years.
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If it has been less than 5 years, then the minimum required would be:
- Renew the medical certificate, if it is no longer valid. All that may be required is a visit to an Aviation Medical Examiner
- Meet requirements for 2 year recency per CAR 421.05(2). This can be as simple as attendance to an approved seminar, doing an open-book exam published by Transport Canada, or do a Flight Review (see below).
- Fly with a flight instructor to regain currency and be allowed to rent one of the club's airplanes. How many hours will depend on how much you have forgotten, but usually less than 10 hours.
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If it has been more than 5 years, then what is required is:
- Renew medical certificate
- Do a "Flight Review" with an instructor, so that he/she can sign you out as competent. "The flight review shall include all items normally covered during the flight test for the issue of that permit or licence". This is the equivalent of doing a flight test, but over a certain number of hours.
- Pass the written PSTAR (Pre-Solo Test on Air Regulations) which students normally do prior to flying their first solo flight.
The Flight Review typically can be 10 to 15 hours of dual flying and a few hours in ground briefings to review regulations and procedures.
We have had pilots come back to flying after 20 years easily regain their skills and enjoy flying again.
If you are interested, contact one of our flight instructors to discuss your particular case and see what needs to be done.
