Establish what is included
Start with the permit or licence, course scope and billable items covered by a quote. Once school quotes are on the same basis, you can assess the differences in their prices.
This page sets out what to compare. It does not invent schools, quotes or scores, or turn regulatory training minimums into a guaranteed total price or completion date.
What to compare in a quote
| What to compare | Information to obtain or clarify |
|---|---|
| Course scope | The permit or licence you intend to pursue, and the school’s course information and training syllabus. |
| Training arrangements | How lessons are scheduled, how ground school is organised, and how students and instructors are assigned. |
| Learning environment | The aircraft, classrooms and facilities used for training. Where simulator equipment is involved, check its approval status. |
| Fees and living arrangements | Course fees and other costs, how charges are calculated, billed and collected, and whether accommodation is offered. |
These criteria draw on Transport Canada’s guide to choosing a flight school. Review the school’s course, scheduling, facilities and fee information together. Ask for missing details in writing.
Keep written replies
Give each school the same outline of your goals, previous experience, available time and the course scope you want to compare. Ask its reply to state the currency, quote date, included items and additional charges. This is Flight Radius’s suggested approach to comparison.
For scheduling and progress, ask how ground school is organised, how students and instructors are assigned, and how delays or changes are communicated. For living costs, clarify the accommodation arrangements and who provides and calculates other cost information. Leave unsupported details as open questions rather than assigning automatic scores to schools.
Confirmed or pending?
After reviewing the comparison, distinguish the course content from the school’s current arrangements, and documented charges from costs that still need confirmation.
This is not a personalised budget, a school recommendation or an admission assessment. Confirm medical requirements, application conditions and current course requirements with the relevant organisations.
Based on Transport Canada’s public information, checked in October 2026. Confirm specific training requirements, school arrangements and application conditions with the relevant organisation.View the sources.