Glacier Air?

[taxiway_matthew]

I've done some searching about this company but looking for some more insight into this company regarding their PPL training. What kind of aircraft do they have? How many? Instructors good ? Or a bunch of 200hour wonders? Squamish would definately be an easier commute for a West Van boy such as myself.

Thanks.

[loopa]

If a flight school is under the direction of an excellent CFI, even the 200 hour wonders are instructors that you'd like to fly with.

Francois Leh is one of those CFI's that I would recommend.

[Ralliart]

I'd recommend doing your training in Squamish, as opposed to a Vancouver area school simply based on the geographical location of the airport. You'll get a much better training experience dealing with the conditions around Squamish. The scenery is amazing.

The school and people in the area are very friendly and easy going. No silly shirt & tie instructors, and all of the pilots also fly scenic tours and charters all around BC. You'll get a good combination of training by the regs, and training using common sense.

The CFI is top notch and the owner is great as well.

Go for the drive and pay a visit to their location. I think you'll really like it.

[SkyWolfe]

I have heard really good things about them, and they seem to be a good lot of people up there.

[MichaelP]

I was in there on Wednesday and Collette made a pot of tea... She gets the SLA certificate of appreciation.
Friendly people, experienced CFI (s), it's a good place.
Cessna 172s.

[200hr Wonder]

Interviewed with them a while back and a top notch show really. Would have taken the job in a heart beat if my situation had been different. Alas it was not to be, however Squamish is a great community, awesome airport.

[Invertago]

I've only heard good things about them, but worth considering that they are in the heart of the Olympic airspace fiasco so if you start something now, you'll have the usual winter weather interuptions (worse in Squamish then the rest of the lower mainland) you'll also have a forced holliday next month. Just my 2cents, but I wouldn't start training anywhere inside the security games till after they finish unless you need lots of sim time. Interrupting flight training is expensive when you need extra review flights.

[sounder]

I did my PPL with Glacier Air. I strongly recommend them for flight training. I found the ground school a bit week; so, I did the PPL Blast with Pro IFR. Upper Squamish valley is an amazing practice area - I don't know how people do it in Glen Valley.

[moocow]

Have you know by now that we all hate Glenn Valley? If I had known Squmish had a good flight school, I may not have gone to CFC. Not that I had problems with CFC but I live in North Van and the Sea To Sky highway is much more fun to drive than hauling my ass thru GVRD. Plus CFC had low wing aircraft which I was looking for. I flied thru that area once before during a mountain check out and it's pretty nice area to fly in. The only down side I can think of is that you won't have a lot of control airspace to practice in unless you venture down to downtown Vancouver. Don't know if it's a real down side since most small airports are uncontrolled anyway.

[CBSW]

Glacier air is awesome.

Did a C206 checkout with the owner.. it was awesome

The school itself is a 703 as well..so for a commercial guy looking to come up the ranks its a good spot to see how things are done PROPERLY in the real world.

Collette rocks.. and Imagine it the same with the rest of the instructors.. Also, there isn't the stuffy FTU atmosphere many ZBB schools have.

[loopa]

This thread is a prime example of what a good reputation does for you.

Out of the last 9 replies, no body has said anything negative ! Do you think the original poster will check it out? You betcha.


Great example and I wish you best of luck with your training !

[Invertago]

Good point loopa, it is seldom that an avcanada thread like this doesn't have a negative review in the mix. They must be doing something right, either that or there is some kinda Christmas spirit happening online... my guess is the first one.

[mattas350]

I've spoken with Collette a number of numbers on training matters and former staff members and can say nothing but great things about Glacier, same with Francois, they have a good operation going their.

[taxiway_matthew]

Cool, thanks guys.
Certainly sounds like a good place...and driving the Sea to Sky, especially now that its practically 4 lanes the entire way, is a lot easier than doing Lions Gate + the tunnel every day...considering I work on the North Shore too.
Invertago, thanks for the advice, thats exactly what I plan to do. Hoping to start in April or May, 1) Because Im travelling right now and need to make up some of the cash I've spent 2) the Olympics fiasco 3) weather's better than it is now.

Thanks again guys

[scubasoj]

I spent the last two summers working at Glacier Air and just want to use this thread to publicly thank Colette and Francois for taking a chance on a low time guy from Ontario. I learned a ton about instructing from Francois and Colette was amazing to let me loose in the 206. I was never pressured to fly if I didn't feel comfortable and it allowed me to build my comfort level at my own pace. More importantly it is a great group where going to work was fun and there was no reason to rush off at the end of the day but instead sit on the deck with bbq fired up and cold beer in hand.
Thanks again!