Al wrote in :


Also, if I did a Recreational Permit first +
ground school, how long would the ground school + flight
lessons/written exam be valid for in case I wanted to upgrade years
down the road?

I may have read this late, but what is a
"Recreational Permit?"


"PPL Lite" :-)

This was introduced in 1995 to lower the barrier to becoming a pilot. A
"Recreational Pilot Permit" allows you to fly any single-engine, piston
powered, non-high performance aircraft solo or with one passenger, day VFR
only. The aircraft may not have more than four seats. You can't add ratings
such as night, instrument, or floats. The training can count toward a
Private Pilot License if you wish to continue training. It is not
recognized outside of Canada.

Basic requirements:
25 hours instruction required, (45 for PPL).
Ground school not required.
Simpler written test.
Minimum 16 yrs old, (17 for PPL).
Cat 4 medical (any doctor can sign off a Cat 4 - Cat 3 for PPL).

I have an original Aeronca 7AC Champ, (no electrical system, no radios
etc). If I didn't want to visit the USA or put it on floats, this permit
would cover everything I could legally do in it anyway.