Flight Instructor Refresher Course
May 28-29 2024 (Tues-Wed) Online Virtual
Ideal for ratings that expire 1-Jun, 1-Jul, 1-Aug
June 18-19 2024 (Tues-Wed) Online Virtual
Ideal for ratings that expire 1-Jul, 1-Aug, 1-Sep
Oct 1-2 2024 (Tues-Wed) Online Virtual - Registration Opens May 12
Ideal for ratings that expire 1-Oct, 1-Nov, 1-Dec, and 1-Jan
Jan 21-22 2025 (Tues-Wed) Online Virtual - Registration Opens Oct 1
Ideal for ratings that expire 1-Feb, 1-Mar, 1-April
To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to register at least 75 days prior to your course.
Upcoming Courses
How it Works
Through CAR 421.66, Transport Canada allows flight instructors to renew their ratings via a professional development course in lieu of a flight test. While a flight test proves you meet the minimum standards, a professional development program gives you the opportunity to invest in yourself, improving your skill and knowledge. Unlike an aircraft rental plus pilot examiner fee, the course is tax free and often costs less than a flight test event.
In the weeks leading up to your course, you receive access to our on-line e-Fresher™ guided learning that you complete anytime before the conference portion. This counts as the first day of the TC-mandated three-day program. You then attend a two-day conference, either in-person or through one of our virtual conferences. Following successful completion of both the e-Fresher™ and conference portions, you may renew your rating with TC (subject to CAR 421.66).
What It’s Like
The course is an enjoyable learning experience for all - where every attendee can be engaged. This means the course is very interactive, including a variety of small group breakouts and larger discussions, in addition to the presentations. Regardless of your instructor rating class, we are confident you’ll leave having learned practical new material based on industry best practices.
Make no mistake, the term “refresher” doesn’t mean “review”. Aviation Solutions is proud to offer a program that builds on the basics while looking towards the future of flight training. The FIRC is truly a professional development program designed to improve the skill and abilities of the attending instructors who also leave better equipped to build their businesses and careers.
Our Benefits:
Professional conference facilities with on-site accommodation, including parking, Wi-Fi, and hot beverages, for in-person courses.
Limited class sizes.
Student-centred learning philosophy.
The most innovative and flexible FIRC in Canada.
Extensive handouts, videos, and other resources to keep.
Networking with professionals from across Canada and beyond.
Commemorative course photograph.
Convenience, service, quality, and value that can't be matched.
Virtual or In-Person?
Both versions of the FIRC have the same pre-course work followed by a two-day live interactive conference. Those who place a high-value on networking, socializing, and “hangar talk” are encouraged to prioritize an in-person course as there are more opportunities to interact outside of the formal lessons. Consider whether your learning style necessitates being “in the room” or if you are comfortable with technology and perform better in a virtual environment. Both in-person and virtual course options are excellent choices. Selecting the choice that best matches your needs and skills will make for an even more enjoyable course. Please note that due to low-demand for in-person courses, we have temporarily suspended our in-person offerings. We invite you to join us at one of our many virtual conferences.
Selecting Your Course Date
You may attend any course in the 90 days leading up to your rating expiry, and retain your current expiry cycle. If you don’t see a suitable course within the 90 days leading up to your rating expiry, you may choose to renew early or may be eligible for a rating extension from Transport Canada to attend a later course. Please contact us for assistance at any time.
As many courses sell out months in advance, we recommend you register as early as possible for your desired course. Registration is normally open 90 days prior to each course and closes no later than 72 hours prior (earlier if sold out) in order to allow enough time for the e-Fresher™ component and course administration. Use the “Register Now” button at the top of this page to enrol.
What People Are Saying
“This was the best FIRC that I have ever participated in in 40+ years of instructing. Aviation Solutions’ experience and expertise really showed [when delivering the virtual course] – this would have been extremely difficult if they hadn’t done so many in-person classes before. Timely and interesting topics, excellent presenters, great participation opportunities that involved everyone – fantastic job! I will be recommending you.”
— Lenora Crane, Class #50
“I have taken away much more from the refresher course than the previous 4 renewals by flight test combined. To be honest, I was worried about watching the course instructors read PowerPoint slides for 2 days. But it was a great job at keeping the students engaged by utilizing the technology! I thought the use of Zoom, presentation slides, breakout rooms, chat, surveys and reaction buttons was fantastic!”
— Scott Campbell, Class #58
“Just a quick follow-up email to thank you, Mike, for a very informative and extremely well-delivered FIRC. As I said in my course evaluation, I was initially hesitant given the horror stories out there for Zoom meetings. You and your team made it an extremely enjoyable two days. My Masters degree is in Adult Education and the course easily passed every checkmark for well-designed and delivered learning. It was an absolute pleasure to see technology being harnessed so effectively. As always, Aviation Solutions support to the students was first-class before, during and after the course.”
— Brian Douglas, Class #52
100% of Our Clients Recommend this Course to Others*
Distinction, Quality, and Value.
Our Story
In 2009 a group of flight instructors saw a need in Canada for a high quality FIRC that was centred around the needs of the flight instructors attending. They wanted to put customer service first, offer it at a fair value, and they wanted to schedule enough courses every year to make the program accessible to all.
Through this, the Aviation Solutions FIRC was born.
The instructors that built the program started with a clean slate; looking at what areas were weak and what areas people wanted more information on. The first course was delivered in February 2010.
In 2013, Aviation Solutions became the only course provider to develop online guided learning to replace the first day of the TC-mandated three-day course. This has saved attendees countless time and money by allowing them to complete the first portion at their leisure, before their now two-day conference.
In 2020, a fully virtual two-day conference was developed to support flight instructors, as well as reach an audience that could not travel to a traditional in-person course. The virtual conference option was not a carbon-copy of previous courses. It was optimized for the online delivery model, while still retaining what clients enjoyed most about the in-person version. Aviation Solutions is proud to be the only provider that stepped up to support Canada’s flight instructors during the pandemic - delivering 22 courses to keep over 500 instructors qualified while flight tests were not available.
Aviation Solutions has now delivered over 80 courses and graduated over 1500 flight instructors – more than all other course providers combined. As an ongoing practice, course modules are regularly updated to reflect the latest trends, data, and best practices that exist in the industry. Pride is taken in being the leader of disseminating advances in pilot training – developing new module topics regularly. All of the lessons presented at the FIRC use a wide variety of resources and include real case studies.
The presenters are all passionate, experienced, and successful professionals – including Class 1 Instructors, Chief Flight Instructors, Pilot Examiners, Airline Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, Accident and Air Safety Investigators, Human Factors Specialists, Maintenance Engineers, Lawyers, Aviation Managers, and Entrepreneurs. Over our many years of running the FIRC, they have brought a combined 400+ years of aviation experience representing over 24 different FTUs, Air Operators, and Organizations providing a variety of opinions and insights. Most importantly, they all have one thing in common – a genuine desire to improve the safety and quality of flight training in Canada. They take a sincere interest in working with every attendee to help them be the very best they can be.
Plus, we carbon offset our entire operation to net-zero.
That’s the Aviation Solutions difference.
*based on post-course survey of all FIRC clients