I've always heard good things about Perimeter and if you're thinking of Pro at Boundary Bay, I'd also have a look at Pacific Flying Club - I've heard they're doing a lot of IFR ratings and renewals with their simulators and are actually quite successful since they got more simulator choices

The above post gives great advice. You'll likely find all the schools are the same or close to each other in terms of costs. If one school seems significantly less, they are likely not including all the costs you'll be facing. Absolutely go and visit the ones you are considering. I suggest you budge...

Dan Martens is also a Class 1 there - both he and Paul rock!

Cheapest may not be best - I would look for a twin with a Garmin 430/530 as a minimum. Those cost $$

I looked them up today and PFC has lots of room on their twins - I also heard they put 430's in them recently and Aerocourse is doing courses there this month with Peter Shewring. Do they not have some new simulator as well?

Aerocourse are fantastic - Peter Shewring and Graham Foris on the West Coast are second to none - look at their track record - it says it all.

Last time I checked Pacific Flying Club had a 172XP - check with them. I think Pat or Clark are still there and very friendly.

Anywhere in the Vancouver, Victoria area is having problems with slot times. Flight training seems to be lower than low on the Nav Canada priority list - they keep talking about shortages but you'd think after all this time, someone would fix it. Abbotsford, Boundary Bay, Victoria - take your pick. ...

Moncton is good.

CFC has a good multi IFR program but so does Pacific. Lots of movement in the industry right now. Ron Harcus is a good guy but so are the folks at Pacific.

You should also look at Pacific Flying Club - they are next door to CFC and have two twins, two sims and getting an Al Sim in May. Ron only has 1 twin.

Sounds like you're in BC - schools that are accredited by PCTIA of BC - their students can apply for government student loans - they would likely display their accreditation certificate in their lobby - not all schools are accredited - money is limited for a government loan - no grants are available...

Their AST 300 was upgraded several years ago and is likely better than the old ATC810's and they have A PFT Elite - the Elite is used for both ratings and licences so it has that additional certification

Moncton is very good, CP and PFC are also good choices - housing in Moncton a lot cheaper though

PFC has to be one of the busiest as well - they've bought another aircraft and all the schools at Boundary Bay seem to be chuggin along

Why would you want to do an instructor rating with a freelancer- you have to work for a school as a Class 4 and what school will want to hire someone who didn't use a school - don't understand the logic here.

Hmmm...haven't seen any problems booking planes at PFC and I've been there a while - you have to book ahead for the 172's especially weekends but every school's like that.

You can't go wrong with PFC or CFC.

I think Flight Tech is gone - Pacific or Juan Air are good choices

Does anyone know how much the new exam centres are charging for a PPL? I heard over $300 in some areas?