This program is for individuals with the unrestricted right to live and work in Canada.
Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)
A partnership between Cygnet Aviation Academy LP, CAE and Jazz Aviation LP, Jazz Approach is the first pilot creation program of its kind in Canada.
This program is designed for people with little or no flight experience. Applicants without any previous flight experience are encouraged to apply.
• Integrated Airline Pilot License Program training for 18 months in Kingston, Ontario
• Bombardier CRJ type training for 2 months at CAE Toronto
• Upon successful completion of the training program and subject to certain conditions, the graduates of the Jazz Approach will join Jazz as first officers
Theoretical Knowledge
Foundation Flight Training
Intermediate Flight Training
Advanced Flight Training
Multi-Crew Coordination and Jet Transition Training
Bombardier CRJ Type Training
Jazz Approach
$134,350* CAD plus taxes
*The amount is subject to periodic review and might be adjusted accordingly.
Financing opportunities are available through CIBC and Scotiabank.
CIBC provides student loans up to $200,000.
Scotiabank provides student loans up to $100,000.
See www.cae.com/funding for further details.
Student loan applications and instructions will be provided upon acceptance into the program.
The pre-requisites for this program are listed on the website, cae.com/flyjazz and are as follows;
• Citizenship: Legally entitled to work in Canada, and a citizen or permanent resident of Canada. In the latter case, the Trainee must be able to obtain and maintain crew visa documentation required to operate aircraft within the USA.
• Minimum Education: Post-secondary degree, diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum Age: 18 years old.
• Physical & Medical Requirements: Must be able to obtain a Category 1 Medical Certificate issued by TC. https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/acts-regulations/list-regulations/canadian-aviation-regulations-sor-96-433/standards/standard-424-medical-requirements/standard-424-appendix-ii-limitations-restrictions-which-may-appear-permit-licence-medical-certificate#physical
• Language Skills: Fluency in English, both written & spoken; a minimum of ICAO level 4 English Language proficiency.
Ready to apply? You can submit your application online. Fill out the form to determine your eligibility and proceed with the application on this webpage: www.cae.com/flyjazz
You will be required to enter your personal information, and submit the following 3 documents;
*Submit the transcript, degree, or diploma of your highest level of post-secondary education. For those who meet post-secondary education equivalency, please upload relevant documentation.
Please be advised that CAE will only review applications that are completed in full. Applicants who meet the minimum eligibility criteria will be contacted by CAE within 2 weeks of their application with assessment instructions.
Holding a post-secondary degree, diploma or equivalent is a requirement and must be provided at the first step of your application. It is strongly recommended that you wait to apply until you have graduated.
If you are expecting to graduate within 6 months or less, you may submit an application. It is recommended that you provide evidence of your expected course completion date and degree, diploma or equivalent which you are expected to receive.
Once your application documents are received and reviewed, eligible applicants will receive a link to complete an online assessment. You will receive a digital handbook outlining what to expect for this test. This online assessment will evaluate your personality and aptitude. The next and final step for successful applicants will be two additional assessments and an interview with Jazz directly. Both assessments and the interview will be conducted on the same day. This will be scheduled in advance.
Tours of Cygnet Aviation Academy LP can be arranged upon request. Please email [email protected] to schedule a tour.
You can initiate your application before receiving your medical certificate. We will however, require a copy of your medical to confirm enrollment in the course. Your medical must be a Transport Canada category 1 medical – for more information on where to obtain one, please visit; https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/2/came-meac/l.aspx?lang=eng
No. You do not need to have any prior flight experience to apply for the Jazz Approach program. The program is designed for individuals with no prior flight experience.
You can still apply with a PPL. Keep in mind that you will be required to complete the syllabus in full, regardless of prior experience. No credits or discounts will be given for existing flight time.
We consider those who are working towards their CPL, have their CPL or higher to be overqualified. Anyone who already holds a CPL is encouraged to follow the traditional hiring process and apply directly to Jazz online, once they meet minimum hour requirements.
This program is meant for individuals with no flying experience, or low time (PPL or below). Individuals who already meet the qualifications and experience required to become a pilot at Jazz should apply through the traditional hiring process at: https://flyjazz.ca/en/careers/pilots/pilot-recruitment/
The full course price is $134,350 CAD, before taxes. This price includes your Integrated Airline Pilot License Program including a jet transition module, and CRJ type training. In addition to the course price, you should budget housing costs in Kingston, Ontario at approximately $1,000-$1,100 per month with 3-5 roommates or $1,300-$1,400 per month with 1-2 roommates.
Remedial training, headset, uniforms, laptops, and books are not included.
Financing solutions are available to cadets. Instructions for how to apply for your student loan will be provided to accepted cadets.
Please see the attached link for current financing opportunities:
https://www.cae.com/civil-aviation/become-a-pilot/how-to-become-a-pilot/funding/
At this point in time, the Jazz Approach program is not eligible for funding under the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).
Federal and provincial student funding opportunities are being sought for the program. More details will be provided should such funding opportunities become available.
Yes, the program can be paid in installments.
Accepted cadets will be provided with an enrollment agreement, which outlines the payment plan for the program.
Payment is accepted in the form of e-transfers, wire transfers, cheques, and bank drafts.
Credit cards cannot be used for payment at this time.
The ab initio (on-aircraft) portion of the flight training course will be conducted at Cygnet Aviation Academy LP in Kingston, Ontario.
The simulator training for the CRJ type training will take place at the CAE training center in Mississauga, Ontario.
Cygnet Aviation Academy LP is owned by Chorus Aviation. Chorus Aviation is also the parent company of Jazz.
The ab initio (on-aircraft) training provider will be using a fleet of Diamond aircraft (DA-20s, DA40s, and DA-42s), as well as simulators.
The duration of this program is expected to take 20 months in total.
The first 18 months will be spent training at Cygnet Aviation Academy LP in Kingston, Ontario. There you will complete your Integrated Airline Pilot License Program.
The following 2 months will be spent at CAE Toronto, in Mississauga, Ontario. There you will complete CRJ type training.
This training program is a full-time commitment. You will be expected to attend training an average of 5 days per week. Due to weather delays, you may be asked to attend 6 days per week as necessary.
The Jazz Approach program follows a Transport Canada approved Integrated Airline Pilot License Program. You will graduate from the program with more flight and flight simulation training hours than are required under the regulatory minimums.
The first class started training at Cygnet Aviation Academy LP in Kingston in January 2023.
Classes are scheduled to start every year in January, May and August.
The exact class start dates will be communicated to cadets who are accepted into the Jazz Approach program, during the Enrollment Phase.
Starting in January 2023, Jazz Approach expects to run 3 classes per year.
The exact class start dates will be communicated during the Enrollment Phase.
Flying is very dependent on the seasons and the weather. The aim is for you to fly at least 3 times per week. Flexibility is key: if possible, you may fly more often. Alternatively, if you are scheduled to fly but the weather turns bad, you may be asked to do Ground School or a simulator session at short notice.
As of January 2024, there are 3.5 cadets per instructor. Cygnet Aviation Academy LP is hiring instructors as more cadets join, to keep the ratios balanced.
Cygnet Aviation Academy LP currently has 3 DA-20s and a DA-42. Cygnet Aviation Academy LP is growing and has additional aircraft on order. Cygnet Aviation Academy LP also has two simulators (one ALSIM and another DA-40/42 simulator).
Ground School and simulator training takes place at Cygnet Aviation Academy LP’s facility at Gardiners Road in Kingston. Flight training takes place at the Kingston Airport (CYGK).
While learning is classroom based, your success is largely dependent on keeping up with readings and making sure that you understand what is being taught. The instructors are always there to help and go into further detail, but it is expected that you dedicate enough time to reviewing the material you’ve been taught.
Cygnet Aviation Academy LP is a Transport Canada-approved testing center. Transport Canada exams are written on site.
Ground School is taught Mondays to Fridays between 9am and 4pm.
Scheduling for flight and simulator training can be outside of these hours, to take advantage of the season and the weather. Cadets are expected to be available 6 days per week for scheduling purposes.
No extended time off is scheduled. The program is designed to be a continuous, 20 month program. Any time off that is taken by a cadet, will extend the 20 month training timeline.
All statutory holidays are given. Cadets may request time off for personal commitments. It is requested that you schedule any time off as far in advance as possible.
The attendance and time off policies will be reviewed during orientation.
No. Cygnet Aviation Academy LP will provide the list of required books on your orientation day. You are expected to buy these yourself.
Cygnet Aviation Academy LP issues pre-loaded iPads that contain the course content as well as some helpful apps.
All required equipment will be outlined during orientation.
You will need a headset for training. Many cadets want to buy their own for comfort. When shopping, keep in mind that Jazz issues headsets to all pilots. You will be issued a headset by Jazz upon completion of training.
Shirts and ties are provided by Jazz at no cost. The uniform will be sized to each cadets upon acceptance into the program. Cadets are expected to adhere to a business casual dress code until their uniform arrives.
Jazz Approach is a full-time training program. Holding any form of employment (either full-time or part-time) during training is strongly discouraged.
Cadets are expected to be available for training up to 6 days per week, and will be required to go over study-material outside of scheduled class time. Furthermore, the training schedule is highly dependent on the weather, and therefore requires a high degree of flexibility on the part of all cadets.
No. Cygnet Aviation Academy LP does not provide accommodation for cadets in the Jazz Approach program. Cadets are expected to make their own accommodation arrangements. Cygnet Aviation Academy LP is located in Kingston, ON, which is a student town. Apartments for rent are readily available. You should budget housing costs in Kingston, Ontario at approximately $1,000-$1,100 per month with 3-5 roommates or $1,300-$1,400 per month with 1-2 roommates.
Cadets have successfully found apartments on rentals.ca, kijiji, and Facebook Marketplace.
No. Accommodation is not provided during the type training in Toronto. Cadets are expected to find their own accommodation. CAE will support where possible.
Successful cadets will receive a conditional letter of employment with Jazz, to progress to a First Officer position upon completion of the course. No additional time building required. Hiring at Jazz is based on available course dates.
Jazz and Air Canada currently have a relationship that provides preferential opportunities for Jazz pilots to interview for positions as pilots with Air Canada. Jazz is a member of the Air Canada Express preferential interview process with Air Canada.
As a Jazz Approach cadet there is no minimum required time to work at Jazz after graduation. You can leave at any time.
Information on Jazz pilot salaries and benefits packages are listed on the following website;
https://flyjazz.ca/en/careers/pilots/pilot-recruitment/
Scroll down to ‘Compensation and Benefits’ for full details.
