AVIA 101Professional Pilot Program Course 1
- Units
- 0.75
- Subject
- Aviation
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course provides the required Preparatory Ground Instruction to prepare students for the air exercises to be completed during in-aircraft instruction that is conducted as part of the course. Students will complete flight training to the First Solo level. This course also includes the ground school required to prepare the student to write the Transport Canada Private Pilot Licence - Airplane examination. The course provides a solid base of the knowledge required to be a safe and proficient professional pilot.
Prerequisites
- Enrolled in H-Geography & Aviation, or H-Science & Aviation
Antirequisites
Leads to
Reviewed on UW Flow
81% liked it34% easy100% useful
From 27 ratings and 9 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Avia 101 was definitely one of the most difficult courses I have ever taken. It was a rough 4 months to go through the term. This course taught me the theoretical knowledge of getting a Private Pilot License. The course had consisted of so many challenging and difficult subject topics that I have never learned before. While I don't think he is the perfect instructor. While I don't think he taught this course perfectly. I especially really appreciated all of extra work our instructor Andrew Gu did as he put in to help try and help me succeed. I especially appreciated the extra review slides he gave to our class as they helped me a lot in this course.
Oct 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This is a really useful and important course for your PPL written and flight training in general. It starts off easy, but the tests are quite difficult, especially met and nav. The final is brutal so make sure you get the marks early in the tests and quizzes. Derek was a great instructor and I enjoyed the class overall.
Dec 2022 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Taught by Rob Guthrie. Great teacher and kind person.
Like any PPL Ground School, the sheer volume of content can hit you like a brick wall if you don't know what you're getting yourself into. Collaborate with your classmates, attend and participate in TA sessions - these are usually led by upper year students who are working on CPL content (two times as in depth as PPL content) so the info is fresh in their minds.Mar 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This will probably be the hardest AVIA course just because it's so much information and the first time you'll ever see aviation information. But it's all important to know and you just have to put in the work.
Jul 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
lotta work
Jul 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
4 posts and comments in 4 threads mention AVIA 101, April 2016 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2024
A question for Science/Geography and Aviation students 4 points, 2 comments
“Hi, I'm an 11th grader considering the possibility of choosing this course for UW in the future as my goal is to become a commercial pilot. …”
u/Particular-Tea7452: “… You'd take it in your first ground school (AVIA 101) but that course is very heavy and it's one less thing to study for then. It's also something you can write on your AIF where they want to see you're committed to the program and not just applying for fun. 3. …”
Spring 2019
Quest for anybody who entered Science and Aviation with PPL 3 points, 0 comments
u/Azleron: “… I received an e-mail from the science advisors saying I'd be exempt from AVIA 101-102 but there doesn't seem to be a reason for me to have to take AVIA 100.”
Spring 2017
CS Elective AVIA 101 2 points, 6 comments
u/kritinsinghal: “I'd be joining UW for CS this fall. I'm choosing my electives. I'm really interested in learning how to fly an aeroplane. Can I pursue Aviation along with CS. If yes, will I be allowed to take Avia along with my major.”
Winter 2016
Super Bird Courses 4 points, 25 comments
“Other than GEOG101, HRM200, ECON101 and ECON102 what are some super bird courses? Preferably, one day a week like HRM200.”
[deleted]: “AVIA 101”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them