London Ontario Flight Training PPL

[ThisGuy]

Ontario Training Schools
Currently living in London Ontario and looking for a reputable flight training school and recommended instructors.
Currently use a flight simulator daily Cessna 172 and completed a ground school course online ( unofficial )
Looking to complete my training with min required hours
Looking for any advice to prepare to ensure I can complete in min required hours.

* LONG TERM GOAL - commercial licence/ instructor rating

[photofly]

Currently use a flight simulator daily Cessna 172

Looking for any advice

In terms of minimum hours you may or may not have done yourself a disservice by getting familiar with a "simulated" 172 before learning the real thing. Either way, be careful to whom you mention that, especially around here.

Also an over-focus on "min required hours" (you mention it twice) won't help you. It's about learning the skills and judgement, rather than about counting hours. Especially if you want to go on to get a commercial licence and to instruct.

[ThisGuy]

Why is a simulator a bad thing to mention?
I understand everyone learns at there own pace and focusing on min hours required should not be in my mind set rather I should be focusing on becoming confident in my ability. I just want to be as productive and prepared as possible.
Example: I have my AZ drivers licence and doing lots of research and "online tests" I was able to essentially teach myself prior to my course the steps of all the procedures and checks and tests required. I learned about the theory of double clutching and so on and I feel as if it made the whole driving experience and confidence come along a lot smoother then if I hadn't.

[jschnurr]

Flying just isn't about "steps and procedures". It's about decision making, situational awareness (having the "big picture", which is bigger than you think it is right now), and finally being able to control the airplane (VFR in this case).

Your simulator does not help with any of these.

I get what you're saying about teaching yourself double-clutching. But bear in mind that you already know how to drive, and therefore can teach yourself some advanced skills. Imaging trying to teach yourself double-clutching before ever being in a truck, car, lawnmower, or any other driver seat. Don't you think you will be overlooking a whole lot of more essential skills?

Save your simulator to teach you how to fly something like a DME arc. It would be a waste of time to do that in an airplane...

[ThisGuy]

Fair enough.
Any tips or tricks on how to be more prepared or just start going to lessons and learn hands on.

[Koalemos]

Being prepared for your lessons is highly important. Make sure you're ready by studying what you'll cover (from the ground up, flight training manual, AFM, any relevant info the instructor gives you) prior to showing for your flight. That means theoretical knowledge, aircraft and procedural knowledge. To get the most of your time, you need to be ready to apply the material in the plane, not see it for the first time. While flying is learned by demonstrating and doing, you can't do what you're not prepared for.

Doing sim prior to lessons can ingrain bad habits which can be hard to unlearn, sim work after learning correct procedure/technique is a good thing IMO. Pretty much what has already been said.

[pianokeys]

Any tips or tricks on how to be more prepared or just start going to lessons and learn hands on.

It's hard to know what to be prepared for when you haven't gone and done it. Go for a fam/discovery flight to get a very basic idea of what its like. If you're prone to motion sickness, well, take some pills with you, don't fly on an empty stomach. Its winter now in Canada so bring some gloves and a hat just incase.

You'll know what you need from yourself in terms of being prepared as lessons go on.

Doing sim prior to lessons can ingrain bad habits which can be hard to unlearn, sim work after learning correct procedure/technique is a good thing IMO. Pretty much what has already been said.

+1

Koalemos has a lot of good points. Do the prescribed homework when you get to that phase, read ahead, read some more, practice tests and questions. A good weather book is the RCAFs "Air Command Weather Manual"

[up on one]

Being prepared for your lessons is highly important. Make sure you're ready by studying what you'll cover (FTGU, flight training manual, AFM, any relevant info the instructor gives you) prior to showing for your flight. To get the most of your time, you need to be ready to apply the material in the plane, not see it for the first time. While flying is learned by demonstrating and doing, you can't do what you're not prepared for.

Doing sim prior to lessons can ingrain bad habits which can be hard to unlearn, sim work after learning correct procedure/technique is a good thing IMO. Pretty much what has already been said.

+1

I would highly recommend the St. Thomas flight centre. Bill Laur or Joe are the guys to talk to for an introductory flight and you will be hooked. After that I would pick up a copy of From the Ground up and you can download the (A.I.M.) Aeronautical Information Manual pdf for free.

[Taxivasion]

www.leartofly.on.ca

[ThisGuy]

Great, I will call them and set up a time for a Discovery Flight!
This time will be counted towards my required hours?

[Taxivasion]

Yup, It will be counted as dual. I believe you just missed their ground school starting though.