Starting your aviation journey in Canada? The first step is to understand the documents and qualifications required for a pilot internship in Canada. Let the experts help you land your dream aviation internship!

Starting anything begins with proper preparation. A pilot internship in Canada can be your aviation career's perfect starting point. However, before you apply, you need to understand the prerequisites. From medical certificates to your academic records, every document serves a purpose.

Keep reading to understand this better!

Documents and Qualifications Required for Pilot Internship in Canada

  1. Visa / Work Permit / Study Permit Eligibility

Because many internships are paid (or at least contribute toward compensated pilot roles), foreign students must ensure they have the legal authorization to study and work in Canada.

  • Study Permit / Student Visa: If you're entering Canada to study aviation or pilot training, you'll usually need a Canadian study permit.
  • Work Authorization: Internships during or after training may require a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) or equivalent, depending on your program's structure and whether the internship is tied to the academic qualifications.
  • Compliance with Immigration Rules: You must ensure your permit allows you to engage in internship or pilot duties. Some internships will demand full legality to work in the province or region where the internship operates.

Failing to secure the correct work/permit status can disqualify you from doing paid internships or certain training roles.

  1. Medical Fitness & Aviation Medical Certificate

Interns expected to log pilot hours or act as flight instructors or co-pilots must demonstrate they're medically fit to fly. The required medical category depends on the type of flying and role:

  • Category 1 Medical Certificate: Typically required for commercial operations or airline work.
  • Category 3 or 4 Medical: May suffice for earlier stages (student permit, private training), but internships aiming toward instructor or commercial roles generally require the higher standard.

Medical exams are conducted by Transport Canada–approved aviation medical examiners and must be valid throughout your internship or renewed as required by regulation.

  1. Pilot Permits, Licenses, and Ratings

To participate in a proper pilot internship in Canada, you need to hold certain prerequisites in your flying qualifications:

  • Student Pilot Permit: Before soloing, student pilots in Canada must pass the PSTAR (Student Pilot Permit / Private Pilot for Foreign and Military Applicants) exam. This test covers Canadian aviation regulations, air traffic procedures, navigation, meteorology, and more.
  • Private Pilot License (PPL): Most internships expect you to already have a PPL or equivalent before working in instructional or co-pilot capacities.
  • Commercial Pilot License (CPL) & Instrument Rating (IR): For internships involving paid flight duties, you'll often need your CPL and IR in place, or at least be eligible or nearly qualified for them.
  • Flight Instructor Rating: In many internship models, interns act as flight instructors (or assistant instructors) to build hours. In Canada, instructors must hold an instructor rating (Class 4 initially, progressing to Class 3, etc.).
  • Recency and Currency: Even as an intern, you may be required to demonstrate recent flight experience or pass certain checks to maintain instructional privileges or pilot-in-command roles.
  1. Academic Qualifications & Educational Documents

Internships, especially those linked to professional or airline-cadet programs, may require you to produce:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (secondary education credentials)
  • Transcripts of academic record
  • Proof of English or French proficiency (if required)
  • Additional testing or assessments (e.g., entrance exams, aptitude tests)
  • Valid identification (passport, birth certificate)

These documents help the flight school or internship employer confirm your eligibility in non-flying matters.

  1. Logbook, Flight Experience & Minimum Hours

Most internship programs mandate a minimum level of prior flight experience. This ensures interns are ready for responsibility and can meaningfully contribute.

  • Logged Flight Hours: Many programs require you to show you have already flown a certain number of hours (solo, cross-country, instrument, night, etc.).
  • Dual Instruction Hours: Hours flown with an instructor may count toward certain internship tasks or teaching duties.
  • Cross-Country / Multi-Engine Experience: Some internships prefer interns who already have experience in cross-country flights or exposure to multi-engine aircraft.

These prerequisites help ensure interns can perform safely and efficiently under instructor supervision.

  1. Regulatory Requirements & Exam Passes

Because Canada's aviation framework is governed by Transport Canada (TC) and the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), interns must satisfy regulatory requirements such as:

  • Passing Transport Canada written examinations for CPL, IR, instructor rating, etc.
  • Passing practical flight tests (checkrides) under TC examiners or delegated examiners.
  • Satisfy regulatory minimums (e.g., number of flights, cross-country segments, night flying, etc.) as per the CARs and Standard 421 – Flight Crew Permits, Licenses & Ratings.
  • Maintaining currency and recency per TC rules.

Interns must ensure their credentials and flight logbooks align with all TC regulations; flight schools often verify this before deployment.

  1. Insurance, Liability & Background Checks

Even as an intern, there are ancillary but crucial requirements:

  • Background checks and security clearances: Because interns may fly in controlled airspace or perform sensitive operations, flight schools may require criminal record checks or aviation security vetting.
  • Insurance coverage: Interns need to be covered under the flight school's or employer's liability and hull insurance to legally perform flight duties.
  • Waivers and agreements: You might need to sign internship contracts, liability waivers, confidentiality agreements, and non-disclosure documents.
  • Compliance with school and employer policies: Interns must adhere to maintenance, safety, and operational policies mandated by the flight school or airline affiliate.

How the Right Aviation Academy Supports Internships in Canada

When considering pilot training and internships in Canada, AeroCadet has tailored solutions that align closely with the above requirements.

  • Structured Canadian Programs: AeroCadet's Full Professional Airline Pilot Program Canada (FPAP-C) offers a fully integrated training and internship pathway for international students.
  • Paid Internships: Our internship offering can span up to 18 months as a professional flight instructor, allowing interns to build flight time (single and multi-engine) from perhaps 200 up toward 1,500 hours or more.
  • Ferry Pilot Internship Options: AeroCadet also provides advanced internships such as international ferry flights, enabling flown missions across continents, cross-country flying experience, and real practical exposure to various aircraft. Interns may be paid per flight day during such assignments.
  • Visa & Permit Support: AeroCadet's programs are designed for international students, with support around Canadian student permits and work authorizations to enable internship participation.

Conclusion

Ensuring you have all the documents and qualifications required for a pilot internship in Canada is essential to meet eligibility criteria and make a strong impression on recruiters. From academic transcripts and pilot licenses to medical certifications and proof of flight experience, each document plays a vital role in securing your placement.

Kickstart your aviation career with AeroCadet. Get in touch with us today!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this content is just for educational purposes and is written by a professional writer. Consult us to know more about aviation courses.