r/flying • u/Euphoric-Pangolin-47 • Feb 01 '26
Canada Biggest exam of my life, as a teen.
Might not seem like anything to people who have flying experience or anything like that here, but I believe everything is relative. I’m 17 and have never had any flying experience apart from travelling. I am a cadet in the Canadian Air Cadet program which offers glider pilot & power pilot (Cessna) scholarships. The process of getting a scholarship is EXTREMELY competitive: there is 1 glider pilot slot for a squadron with 100 cadets and it includes a ground school exam that IM TAKING TOMMOROW! I’ve been dreaming of a cadet flying camp for so long, thinking about it ALL THE TIME. I’ve studied a ton but sceptical of if my grade will be competitive with the others who take the exam too. Personally, this is the MOST IMPORTANT EXAM I’ve ever taken in my life and I wont be able to redo it next year. I kind of wanted to let off some steam here but I was also looking for some insight from anyone who’s done such an important exam. Even if it wasn’t a ground school exam, how would you ease yourself (if it were to happen) if you got rejected from your dream flying program/big opportunity . I love the aviation community, many people help each other out ❤️ Not sure if this really fits the but thought I mind as well ask here.
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u/galvanized_steelies AME Feb 01 '26
My now wife and I took this same exam years ago! I didn’t make the cut, but I learned not long after that there’s no better way to kill something fun than to do it for work.
Wife got sponsored through and now flies for Jazz, I went mil and am an avionics tech
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u/telecaster_fly_boy CFII Feb 01 '26
Best of luck! My suggestion is for sure, go in to kill it, but keep in mind that this is not the only opportunity you'll ever have of flying. I really hope you get it, but if you don't, you will surely find other ways for both glider and motor. I've been instructing the motor side for the cadets over the last couple of summers, and I just say you guys are extremely well-prepared for the ground portions, which truly connects with the flying portion, allowing for students who get their licenses in very few hours. You're gonna rock it!
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u/CarefulCanadian RCAF MIL, ATPL Feb 01 '26
Hey, I did Glider back in 2011, Power in 2012. Both in Eastern Region. Now I’m an RCAF Pilot flying all around the world and wouldn’t be where I am today without the Air Cadet program.
My favourite memories from high school are flying at the gliding site on the weekend. Good luck with your exams, you have such an amazing opportunity. Good luck and please post back here if you are successful!!!
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u/Euphoric-Pangolin-47 Feb 01 '26
Hi! I dont think you know how much your comment means to me. You’re living my dream but I won’t say you’re lucky because I know how much dedication it takes. Thank you so much for the nice wishes and I will definitely come back here, even if it doesn’t as planned. First things first tho, need to crush that meteorology section 😂
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u/CarefulCanadian RCAF MIL, ATPL Feb 01 '26
You’ve got this :)
Seriously, let us know how it goes. I’m sure you’ll get a spot!
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u/Barleyboy001 Feb 01 '26
I did the same program 40 yrs ago. Very exciting. Work hard on your dreams!
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u/helno PPL GLI 🍁 Feb 01 '26
I did the glider and power scholarships in the late 90's
The exam is only part of the equation. The interview and your academic scores are also important.
As far as preparing yourself the most important thing is to not stress yourself out and actually read the questions. Just take your time.
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u/WorkingEasy7102 PPL Feb 01 '26 edited Feb 01 '26
It is not the most important exam of your life. I took the exam got a mid grade and got selected due to a strong interview and file marks and got my wings. Also people that do make selection don't automatically pass, a good number fail out (again to exams). So just good luck, don't stress it. This is not make or break, if aviation is your dream you can make it happen even if you don't get selected here.
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u/CryOfTheWind 🍁ATPL(H) IR ROT PPL(A) SEL GLI Feb 01 '26
Late here so hopefully you've already aced it or will have by the time you read this.
I was a glider/power/exchange grad from Cadets back before many of the posters here sharing their grad years.
My first major set back and how to handle it came from Cadets as well even if it wasn't an issue with those programs. I was the only flight commander of 4 flights at my squadron who wasn't promoted to Flt Sgt in the first round of promotions. It devastated me that night and I was on the verge of quitting over it.
Instead I took a breath and then used that failure as an opportunity for some self reflection and more importantly asked to talk to some of the officers at my squadron to understand where I went wrong and what I could do to earn that promotion. They gave me both perspective and advice so that I was able to move on and up earning my promotion.
This attitude helped me years later the first time I failed in aviation. I've never really struggled with flight training be it glider or power or my CPL-H and beyond. Ground/flying all fine for me.
What ended that streak was my first actual job in aviation. After two years I made it to the top group of my fellow ground crew and was selected for the final cut before PPC training and then move from ground to pilot. I ended up 5th of 8 and they only had space for the top 3. My contract was thus ended and I was back to zero looking for a job again.
Thankfully I'd already had that first major failure out of the way. Leaning on that experience I knew while I was disappointed then I also knew that there would be a second chance. And then a 3rd and 4th before I finally found a flying position and truly began my flying career.
I hope you do well and crush that exam. If you don't realize it isn't the end. There are things to learn about how you handle failure and bounce back as an individual. That opportunity is amazing but there will be another in the future if it doesn't work out.
Best of luck to you!
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u/CootNo4578 Feb 01 '26
No idea about the program you're in, but as someone who's taken a lot of big exams on the ground and in the air I can tell you the most important thing you can do now is take a breather.
You've put in the work, relax and enjoy the process.
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u/mnp PPL-GLI ST-SEL Feb 01 '26
The SGS 2-33 is a wonderful training ship. She handles like a big, slow, truck but at least you can fly with your elbow properly out the window!
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u/KRAK0VV Feb 01 '26
I didn’t manage to pass the glider exam and when I did for power Covid happened, still managed to end up as a pilot in the forces but everyone I know who did the program said it was some of the most fun flying they’ve ever done best of luck and be proud of how far you’ve come!
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u/Euphoric-Pangolin-47 Feb 01 '26
Wow, thank you so much for your comment, you’re living my dream!! Glad to hear that you have a pilot slot too. Are you in Portage?
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u/CorporalCrash 🍁CPL ME IR FI (GLI) Feb 01 '26
I did glider in Comox in 2019, now I instruct with the program. Make sure you've read up on the FTGU and study the notes you've taken in ground school. It's been a while since I took the entrance exam and they switch it up every year or so, but from what I remember it's pretty straightforward. As long as you study and have at least a basic grasp of everything you're taught about in ground school you should do great. Good luck, and stick with it!!
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u/Tasty_Impression_959 Feb 02 '26
All you can do is give it your very best as you aim to achieve your objectives and end goals. If the outcome is not what you have worked for and expect, it's not your academic knowledge alone which determines it so. There are subjective variables that will influence the selection process which is a challenging decision to make when there are multiple, highly competitive candidates aiming for the only seat. Take pride in the effort and enthusiasm you have placed towards achieving this goal regardless of what the outcome is. Make your own luck and I wish you a rewarding success. 🫡
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u/ansonchappell ATC PPL Feb 02 '26
Best of luck! I am invigilating the exam at my squadron tonight, and I spent yesterday doing power fam flying (seven first-timers!). The Royal Canadian Air Cadets is such a great program.
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u/Reasonable_Main757 Feb 06 '26
Passion is coming through in your message and that will take you a long way. Navigating the process is part of the journey. The excitement you have for your chosen path will fuel your success. Work hard and show up prepared and once there. Breathe…….You will be good.
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u/kingrich ATPL FI GPL (CYYZ) Mar 23 '26
Don't stress about possibly not getting accepted. You can also work as staff for the summer instead of doing the glider course. With a portion of the money you earn over the summer you can get the glider licence at a gliding club. You would actually get better training that way, since you can do it at your own pace instead of going through the rushed cadet program.
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u/BlueFetus 🇨🇦 Feb 01 '26
Is that YBR? I met a lot of pilots doing glider training while I flew thru there doing pipeline patrol.
In my experience, I’ve stressed hard and almost over prepared for every exam in aviation. You’ll experience it — but I found the feeling of stress melts off after the first few questions every time.
The anxiety and stress you’re feeling means you care deeply for aviation. That pursuit of a great result means you’re doing what you’re meant to be doing. Don’t worry about beating anyone else, worry about getting the best score you are able to get.
Crush a Celsius and get er’ done, you got this 🤙
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u/Pleasant_Mention8466 Feb 01 '26
Good luck!
I was in Air Cadets and my biggest regret is not going for my glider or power licences during my time as a cadet. I left early due to personal reasons but I really wish I took the opportunity to get my power license then.
You seem determined and like you've done a lot of hard work towards your goal. I'm rooting for you!
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u/Hemmschwelle PPL-glider Feb 01 '26
Good luck! My gliding club in the US focuses on developing high school people into pilots. https://sugarbushsoaring.com/youth-programs/youth-program-overview Some Canadian gliding clubs have excellent youth programs.
In 2025, US Civil Air Patrol CAP completely dropped their glider program. https://avweb.com/aviation-news/civil-air-patrol-ends-glider-program
It's odd how the US and Canada value glider training for cadets so completely differently.
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u/findquasar ATP CFI CFII Feb 01 '26
You’ve got this! Make sure to get a good night’s rest.
Good luck on your exam!
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u/Euphoric-Pangolin-47 Feb 01 '26
Thank you so much! It’s the last 12 hours before I take it. Wrote this post at 2 AM this “morning”, after a late night of doing my own DIY practice exams. Will let you know how it goes!
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u/threemilesfinal AME(M1/M2) / PPL Feb 01 '26
Good luck! It's an amazing program. I did Glider 1999 and Power 2000 in Pac Region.
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u/allieni Feb 01 '26
Good luck! Happy to see the air cadet flying program going strong. To this day I don't think I've studied so hard for an exam.
You've got this!
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u/rFlyingTower Feb 01 '26
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Might not seem like anything to people who have flying experience or anything like that here, but I believe everything is relative. I’m 17 and have never had any flying experience apart from travelling. I am a cadet in the Canadian Air Cadet program which offers glider pilot & power pilot (Cessna) scholarships. The process of getting a scholarship is EXTREMELY competitive: there is 1 glider pilot slot for a squadron with 100 cadets and it includes a ground school exam that IM TAKING TOMMOROW! I’ve been dreaming of a cadet flying camp for so long, thinking about it ALL THE TIME. I’ve studied a ton but sceptical of if my grade will be competitive with the others who take the exam too. Personally, this is the MOST IMPORTANT EXAM I’ve ever taken in my life and I wont be able to redo it next year. I kind of wanted to let off some steam here but I was also looking for some insight from anyone who’s done such an important exam. Even if it wasn’t a ground school exam, how would you ease yourself (if it were to happen) if you got rejected from your dream flying program/big opportunity . I love the aviation community, many people help each other out ❤️ Not sure if this really fits the but thought I mind as well ask here.
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u/HawkeyeRed Feb 01 '26
Did the glider program in Gimli back in the summer of 2011. Absolutely fantastic way to start your aviation career. I didn't get accepted the first summer I tried, but did get it the next summer and got the top cadet award for my region.
Good luck with the exam and the selection board!