Harv's. Which location?

[seoultrain]

Hi, anyone on here that has trained at Harv's have a view on training/living/flying out of St Andrews versus Steinbach?

thanks!

[awitzke]

I know guys who have been at Stienbach. They liked it because the practice area was very close, virtually empty airspace aside from flight school planes and jumpers. When you're doing your PPL and some of your CPL, you have a lot of practice area time. I for example trained in Vancouver and had a .2-.3 each way to the practice area. This adds up over time and if you have an area that's closer that will equate to more time doing air work and honing your skills. Stienbach is also a pretty nice place to live.

[utczulugmt]

I know guys who have been at Stienbach. They liked it because the practice area was very close, virtually empty airspace aside from flight school planes and jumpers. When you're doing your PPL and some of your CPL, you have a lot of practice area time. I for example trained in Vancouver and had a .2-.3 each way to the practice area. This adds up over time and if you have an area that's closer that will equate to more time doing air work and honing your skills. Stienbach is also a pretty nice place to live.

What does ".2-.3 each way to the practice area" mean? (Forgive me, I know zero about flying.)

Also, what is those guys take on Steinbach being an uncontrolled airspace, compared to St Andrews which is controlled?

[seoultrain]

I know guys who have been at Stienbach. They liked it because the practice area was very close, virtually empty airspace aside from flight school planes and jumpers. When you're doing your PPL and some of your CPL, you have a lot of practice area time. I for example trained in Vancouver and had a .2-.3 each way to the practice area. This adds up over time and if you have an area that's closer that will equate to more time doing air work and honing your skills. Stienbach is also a pretty nice place to live.

Thanks, valid points, one of the reasons I didn't end up in Boundary Bay was because of the time to practice area and paid time on the ground waiting for clearance etc. I'm taking the view that whilst a lot of people say getting experience of ATC is good, for anyone doing their PPL and just starting out, maximising stick and rudder time surely should be the priority?

[hangar3]

I trained in Steinbach, and flew to St Andrews a few times as well.
I recommend Steinbach for the fact that there's a good choice of runways there (1 asphalt, 1 grass) for good training.

There's a lot of people who fly there (particularly in the summer if there are air cadets training), so it can get busy in the circuit, and that's good on the perspective of flying in rural areas, as you make your own radio calls and need to be more on the ball when flying.

Steinbach South is where Harv's is, but there's also Steinbach North, a 2 min flight north of there. If the circuit is too busy at South, you can fly to North and practice there.
St Andrews does have the advantage of having more runways (I think it's a triangle if I recall correctly?), so you could in theory practice more crosswind circuits.

St Andrews is closer to town if you're a city person, but it's not like Steinbach is that far either. And you'll spend plenty of time in Terminal/ATC airspace when flying out of Steinbach as well, since it's so close to Winnipeg.

Again, assuming they still have the air cadet contracts, it might get tough for you to book flights in the summer, as they pretty much fly all day. It's worth asking them if you're planning to train there. In that respect, St Andrews has more planes.

[seoultrain]

thanks hanger3 that's really useful insight.

[makmoco]

I trained in Steinbach, and flew to St Andrews a few times as well.
I recommend Steinbach for the fact that there's a good choice of runways there (1 asphalt, 1 grass) for good training.

There's a lot of people who fly there (particularly in the summer if there are air cadets training), so it can get busy in the circuit, and that's good on the perspective of flying in rural areas, as you make your own radio calls and need to be more on the ball when flying.

Steinbach South is where Harv's is, but there's also Steinbach North, a 2 min flight north of there. If the circuit is too busy at South, you can fly to North and practice there.
St Andrews does have the advantage of having more runways (I think it's a triangle if I recall correctly?), so you could in theory practice more crosswind circuits.

St Andrews is closer to town if you're a city person, but it's not like Steinbach is that far either. And you'll spend plenty of time in Terminal/ATC airspace when flying out of Steinbach as well, since it's so close to Winnipeg.

Again, assuming they still have the air cadet contracts, it might get tough for you to book flights in the summer, as they pretty much fly all day. It's worth asking them if you're planning to train there. In that respect, St Andrews has more planes.

Hangar3 is there someplance close to the school and cheap to rent in Steinbach? besides Harv's Air Rooms for students.

[makmoco]

I know guys who have been at Stienbach. They liked it because the practice area was very close, virtually empty airspace aside from flight school planes and jumpers. When you're doing your PPL and some of your CPL, you have a lot of practice area time. I for example trained in Vancouver and had a .2-.3 each way to the practice area. This adds up over time and if you have an area that's closer that will equate to more time doing air work and honing your skills. Stienbach is also a pretty nice place to live.

What does ".2-.3 each way to the practice area" mean? (Forgive me, I know zero about flying.)

.2 and .3 refers to the time spent. 1 = 60min.

[utczulugmt]

I know guys who have been at Stienbach. They liked it because the practice area was very close, virtually empty airspace aside from flight school planes and jumpers. When you're doing your PPL and some of your CPL, you have a lot of practice area time. I for example trained in Vancouver and had a .2-.3 each way to the practice area. This adds up over time and if you have an area that's closer that will equate to more time doing air work and honing your skills. Stienbach is also a pretty nice place to live.

What does ".2-.3 each way to the practice area" mean? (Forgive me, I know zero about flying.)

.2 and .3 refers to the time spent. 1 = 60min.

Thanks makmoco.

[awitzke]

I know guys who have been at Stienbach. They liked it because the practice area was very close, virtually empty airspace aside from flight school planes and jumpers. When you're doing your PPL and some of your CPL, you have a lot of practice area time. I for example trained in Vancouver and had a .2-.3 each way to the practice area. This adds up over time and if you have an area that's closer that will equate to more time doing air work and honing your skills. Stienbach is also a pretty nice place to live.

Thanks, valid points, one of the reasons I didn't end up in Boundary Bay was because of the time to practice area and paid time on the ground waiting for clearance etc. I'm taking the view that whilst a lot of people say getting experience of ATC is good, for anyone doing their PPL and just starting out, maximising stick and rudder time surely should be the priority?

yeah I was out of ZBB. lots of time waiting in line to depart and the enroute. although I was very happy with the training I received at PFC so I can't complain and like you said the controlled tower ATC and having TML above was really good experience for when I started my first job.. End of the day it all worked out. Nothing more frustrating though sitting in the multi waiting for 4 172's to do a touch and go while watching that HOBBS tick upwards.

[Viper32]

Check out this forum just search for it, it has some excellent info on recommendation and info on Harvs Air !
Highly recommended flight school: PM me if you have some questions !

Flight training schools in BC (or elsewhere in Canada)

[praveen4143]

I was a former student and later instructed there fit a while. In a perfect world, I'd suggest you do your PPL at the Steinbach location and then move to St. Andrews for your CPL and IFR training. Best of both worlds!

More realistically I'm partial to Steinbach because that's where I did most of my flying.. And if I do it all over again I'd still go to Steinbach because of the vast number of grass strips around for rough field landing practise.

[40echotango]

St. Andrews all the way. The practice area isn't all that far away. 3 paved runways at CYAV, a grass strip 4 miles away at Oak Hammock, a gravel strip maybe 10 miles away at Selkirk and 11 miles away from CYWG. You get a good balance of a controlled airport, with several uncontrolled fields near by. St. Andrews has a beautiful facility, big ramp, and you get to see some bigger planes (bigger than you'd see in Steiner) in action.

[makmoco]

Besides all information regarding the school, can someone provide information about living either St.Andrews or Steinbach? Which one is easier to live in, and which one is easier to move around without a car.

[utczulugmt]

Besides all information regarding the school, can someone provide information about living either St.Andrews or Steinbach? Which one is easier to live in, and which one is easier to move around without a car.

Not the answer to your question, but I found this link (dated Feb/4/2010) that offers some insight into the culture/history of Harvs: A Winning Attitude

[North Shore]

St. Andrews all the way. The practice area isn't all that far away. 3 paved runways at CYAV, a grass strip 4 miles away at Oak Hammock, a gravel strip maybe 10 miles away at Selkirk and 11 miles away from CYWG. You get a good balance of a controlled airport, with several uncontrolled fields near by. St. Andrews has a beautiful facility, big ramp, and you get to see some bigger planes (bigger than you'd see in Steiner) in action.

Man, you are gettiing me all nostalgic to learn how to fly again!

Seoultrain: I think that you're making a good decision to go with either of the locations. Take the training seriously, and good luck with your career!

[clairvoyant]

I have the same question here on an apartment rental, basement suite rental, etc.
Living in Harv's Air compounds is a good idea but I want to asses other options as well. Thank You

Besides all information regarding the school, can someone provide information about living either St.Andrews or Steinbach? Which one is easier to live in, and which one is easier to move around without a car.

[seoultrain]

Ok, sorry lost track of this thread a little, but thanks to everyone who replied. For the guys asking question perhaps the following will help.

You will need a car in both locations, simple. The school will rent you one based on kms travelled. In Steinbach the distance from dorms to shops is much less so the rental probably works out a bit cheaper.

I think all the information on the flying decision has been covered. It's pretty equal to be honest, just depends on whether you want uncontrolled or controlled airspace. Hobbs time is around 40 minutes from one location to the other so you can try both.

My personal opinion is that if you want to live outside dorms then Steinbach is probably going to be cheaper and easier to commute to the school. You will most certainly need a car though unless you are willing to make a 20 minute cycle (i'm guessing) along the highway. I have a bike, and decided to buy a car, so that probably tells you something.

Finally, every single person i have encountered from owners, to instructors, to mechanics, to front desk and ramp personnel have been great people. You can't go wrong no matter which location you choose.

ST

ps. feel free to PM me (although be patient on the response time).

[j8naid]

Hey,
Planning to start my training at harvs this December or January. How are the dorms at both the locations ? Do we have to choose the locations or we get assigned by the staff ?