Hi everyone,
I am Cedric 27yo and as you guessed I want to become a commercial pilot !
I want to pick up a school in either Vancouver, Toronto or Ottawa. Could you tell me according to your experience which schools are the best in these cities ! I will then make a list and go to visit them ! According to my research I have already picked up : Langley Flying School and Rockcliffe Flying Club. Let me know if you have any feed back on these two.
Thank you
Cedric
Choose a school
Moderators: Right Seat Captain, lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako
Re: Choose a school
I think I can help:
In Vancouver, "Won WIng Lo's flight academy", not only teaches the most modern Canadian curriculum, but they offer correct ATC phraseology in Mandarin. A definite plus over the other schools in the area
In Toronto," Elite Flight Training" is a good place to get the basic skills. They specialize in power and attitude.
Their planes are quite magnificently painted to reflect the cultural diversity of Canada, and have gender neutral nose art...
In Ottawa "mode zee" is a great place to learn as it is close to Transport Canada's head office and thus benefits from all the wonderful advances in training that come about every day. And being on the border with Quebec, it will allow you the opportunity to do international cross country flying and experience the warm reception French ATC displays towards English speaking pilots.
Hope this helps.
In Vancouver, "Won WIng Lo's flight academy", not only teaches the most modern Canadian curriculum, but they offer correct ATC phraseology in Mandarin. A definite plus over the other schools in the area
In Toronto," Elite Flight Training" is a good place to get the basic skills. They specialize in power and attitude.
Their planes are quite magnificently painted to reflect the cultural diversity of Canada, and have gender neutral nose art...
In Ottawa "mode zee" is a great place to learn as it is close to Transport Canada's head office and thus benefits from all the wonderful advances in training that come about every day. And being on the border with Quebec, it will allow you the opportunity to do international cross country flying and experience the warm reception French ATC displays towards English speaking pilots.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by trey kule on Mon Jun 06, 2016 5:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Accident speculation:
Those that post don’t know. Those that know don’t post
Those that post don’t know. Those that know don’t post
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kilomike_19
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Re: Choose a school
Not funny @treykule... you don't help him
Cedric, sorry, I'm not an expert in flight schools, so I can't give you a hand. Remeber, forums will rarely help you, on the contrary, you're going to sink more in your pursuit
PS : I tell you this advice based on my own experience;)
Cedric, sorry, I'm not an expert in flight schools, so I can't give you a hand. Remeber, forums will rarely help you, on the contrary, you're going to sink more in your pursuit
PS : I tell you this advice based on my own experience;)
Re: Choose a school
As you have chosen to admonish me for not being helpful, please explain how anyone could ascertain from any posts anything about these flight schools?
Disgruntled former students...
Instructors , managers, or owners of the schools
How would you sort through the posts for the unbiased truth to sort the wheat from the chaff?
My answer was every bit as helpful as any other opinionated individual answer you will read here.
Might as well have some enjoyment from it.
Now its your turn...be helpful...and give him a completely objective opinion of the schools in question.
Disgruntled former students...
Instructors , managers, or owners of the schools
How would you sort through the posts for the unbiased truth to sort the wheat from the chaff?
My answer was every bit as helpful as any other opinionated individual answer you will read here.
Might as well have some enjoyment from it.
Now its your turn...be helpful...and give him a completely objective opinion of the schools in question.
Last edited by trey kule on Mon Jun 06, 2016 5:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Accident speculation:
Those that post don’t know. Those that know don’t post
Those that post don’t know. Those that know don’t post
Re: Choose a school
I have flown recently at both. That being said, it is extremely difficult to tell you if one is better than the other. My opinion is that it is the instructor rather than the school that matters more. That is the most difficult thing is how to find a really good instructor. I think it would be beneficial to you to learn to fly in a non-glass aircraft and then move on to the more advanced avionics later on.
Langley has the old Cherokee Cruisers and Rockliffe has their 172's which I think are traditional instruments. My personal experience maintenance -wise has been satisfactory. I do wonder if the Vancouver area weather may be an impediment to your learning as you may get a lot of cancellations. The Vancouver area seems to be quite confined with mountains, ocean and American airspace boxing you in whichever way you want to go. On the other hand, working your way around there has to be considered as good experience. The Ottawa area will give you better winter time and hot weather experience which is important in my opinion.
I have enjoyed flying at both places but can't say much for the operations side from a training point of view except to say that having rented from quite a few places in the last few years that the dispatch procedure from Langley was by far the most complicated and time consuming of all the places I have been to. I suppose you can get pretty quick at filling out the computer program after a while but whatever happened to a quick manual W&B and a look at the logbook or dispatch board for maintenance due times.
Once again, the individual instructor is the most important thing.
Langley has the old Cherokee Cruisers and Rockliffe has their 172's which I think are traditional instruments. My personal experience maintenance -wise has been satisfactory. I do wonder if the Vancouver area weather may be an impediment to your learning as you may get a lot of cancellations. The Vancouver area seems to be quite confined with mountains, ocean and American airspace boxing you in whichever way you want to go. On the other hand, working your way around there has to be considered as good experience. The Ottawa area will give you better winter time and hot weather experience which is important in my opinion.
I have enjoyed flying at both places but can't say much for the operations side from a training point of view except to say that having rented from quite a few places in the last few years that the dispatch procedure from Langley was by far the most complicated and time consuming of all the places I have been to. I suppose you can get pretty quick at filling out the computer program after a while but whatever happened to a quick manual W&B and a look at the logbook or dispatch board for maintenance due times.
Once again, the individual instructor is the most important thing.
Re: Choose a school
Trey kule : Thank you for putting so much effort in being sarcastic ! I have to admit that I had a good laugh ! I got your point it is hard to have an objective opinion on the internet... Unfortunately I can't visit every school I have to pick up a few and even if some nonobjective opinion might interfere in my choosing I might end up finding what I need ! I am quite sure that you know a few schools with a good reputation and I would be glad if I could put them on my list ! Cheers
kilomike_19 : I have No doubt that what you said is.... truly true ! So much information... It requires a lot of time to sort the truth from the bullshit sometimes.
pelmet : Thank you ! I take note that the Ottawa area might be better for my training and that learn to fly in a non-glass aircraft would be beneficial. I really consider the fact that I should choose a flight instructor instead of a flight school aswell.
kilomike_19 : I have No doubt that what you said is.... truly true ! So much information... It requires a lot of time to sort the truth from the bullshit sometimes.
pelmet : Thank you ! I take note that the Ottawa area might be better for my training and that learn to fly in a non-glass aircraft would be beneficial. I really consider the fact that I should choose a flight instructor instead of a flight school aswell.
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Shiny Side Up
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Re: Choose a school
I think Trey's post is probably the most accurate depiction of the state of flight training in Canada I've seen in a while. He did miss out on the Prairies though. 
We can't stop here! This is BAT country!
Re: Choose a school
I can't say for sure what Trey was thinking, but I do agree with the basis for his message. Asking for information and ratings on a forum is pretty much a waste of time. Especially when you are talking about the breadth of the country. You will be able to find a suitable school in almost any area you decide to live. So pick that first. The school is important, but life is more so. Don't move to an unsatisfactory city simply because some forum with anonymous contributors provide you some "facts" about the flight schools there.
Once you have a city selected and you move there, then you can easily visit any and all local schools and select one yourself. Take your time and make multiple visits to insure all the employees you talk to are helpful. With only one visit you may hit the one person that is great - they should all be. Also, spend a few bucks on discovery flights at each of the schools as in the long run the cost will be comparative peanuts and will give a good insight into how the school and their instructors operate. The discovery flight should be organized, professional and very much an abbreviated lesson, not just a quick sightseeing joyride where you get to hold the controls for a few minutes.
As for opinions a quick search with specific name of the city you decide to live in will get you much of the "information" you seek.
Once you have a city selected and you move there, then you can easily visit any and all local schools and select one yourself. Take your time and make multiple visits to insure all the employees you talk to are helpful. With only one visit you may hit the one person that is great - they should all be. Also, spend a few bucks on discovery flights at each of the schools as in the long run the cost will be comparative peanuts and will give a good insight into how the school and their instructors operate. The discovery flight should be organized, professional and very much an abbreviated lesson, not just a quick sightseeing joyride where you get to hold the controls for a few minutes.
As for opinions a quick search with specific name of the city you decide to live in will get you much of the "information" you seek.
Being stupid around airplanes is a capital offence and nature is a hanging judge!
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.”
Mark Twain
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.”
Mark Twain
Re: Choose a school
Trey - I just about spit out my coffee.....
I also recommend trying a different instructor at some point even if you're happy with yours. Everyone teaches differently, and I learned a few things I would not have otherwise by flying with 2 instructors.
I also recommend trying a different instructor at some point even if you're happy with yours. Everyone teaches differently, and I learned a few things I would not have otherwise by flying with 2 instructors.
"Carelessness and overconfidence are more dangerous than deliberately accepted risk." -Wilbur Wright
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PropToFeather
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Re: Choose a school
There's some advice above for BC, I'll try to provide some for Ottawa.
CYRO (Rockliffe) - Probably the smallest FTU in Ottawa itself. Good selection of training aircraft, with regular (tricycle), tail wheel, and aerobatic aircraft available. Average pricing. Depending on how many instructors/students there are there now, instructor availability might be an issue. Definitely more of a club than an FTU. Infrequent bus service. Bonus: Aviation museum is very nice and is next door!
CYOW (Ottawa Intl) - OAS - All-tricycle aircraft, with an aerobatic and multi-engine trainer available. Average pricing on the 172s, the twin is on the pricier side (since it's the larger one in Ottawa). Good instructor availability, with both self-directed and set programs available (PPL, CPL, iATPL). Very much an FTU. Regular bus service. Bonus: All sorts of food/drink options at the plaza that's literally outside the front door.
CYOW (Ottawa Intl) - OFC - All-tricycle aircraft, with the fleet composed of 152s (largest in Ottawa), one or two 172s, and a Duchess for multi training. 152s are probably the best price in the capital, per hour. Since they are doing the lion's share of training for Algonquin's college program, instructor availability might be an issue. Weird (but decent) club atmosphere mixed with a large FTU. Regular bus service. Bonus: Vietnamese cuisine inside the building; the best view of the airport's north (air)side from the lounge.
I've left out CYRP (Carp) and CYND (Gatineau) since I basically just know that there's some limited training available (maybe?) at both, and that's about it.
As everyone else has said, your instructor will largely affect how well your training goes. As far as cities go, Ottawa is probably the most affordable of the three you've listed, and there's a good amount of places available within a short drive/bus of all the three FTUs above.
CYRO (Rockliffe) - Probably the smallest FTU in Ottawa itself. Good selection of training aircraft, with regular (tricycle), tail wheel, and aerobatic aircraft available. Average pricing. Depending on how many instructors/students there are there now, instructor availability might be an issue. Definitely more of a club than an FTU. Infrequent bus service. Bonus: Aviation museum is very nice and is next door!
CYOW (Ottawa Intl) - OAS - All-tricycle aircraft, with an aerobatic and multi-engine trainer available. Average pricing on the 172s, the twin is on the pricier side (since it's the larger one in Ottawa). Good instructor availability, with both self-directed and set programs available (PPL, CPL, iATPL). Very much an FTU. Regular bus service. Bonus: All sorts of food/drink options at the plaza that's literally outside the front door.
CYOW (Ottawa Intl) - OFC - All-tricycle aircraft, with the fleet composed of 152s (largest in Ottawa), one or two 172s, and a Duchess for multi training. 152s are probably the best price in the capital, per hour. Since they are doing the lion's share of training for Algonquin's college program, instructor availability might be an issue. Weird (but decent) club atmosphere mixed with a large FTU. Regular bus service. Bonus: Vietnamese cuisine inside the building; the best view of the airport's north (air)side from the lounge.
I've left out CYRP (Carp) and CYND (Gatineau) since I basically just know that there's some limited training available (maybe?) at both, and that's about it.
As everyone else has said, your instructor will largely affect how well your training goes. As far as cities go, Ottawa is probably the most affordable of the three you've listed, and there's a good amount of places available within a short drive/bus of all the three FTUs above.
If at first you don't succeed, maybe NDB approaches just aren't for you
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SuperchargedRS
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Re: Choose a school
I'd just find a good freelance high time (ATPL) instructor and get access to a nice tailwheel plane, J3, PA18, C140, 7AC, etc?
Re: Choose a school
To train for his PPL this way he would have to buy the aircraft, or at least a share in it - not just "get access to" it.SuperchargedRS wrote:I'd just find a good freelance high time (ATPL) instructor and get access to a nice tailwheel plane, J3, PA18, C140, 7AC, etc?
DId you hear the one about the jurisprudence fetishist? He got off on a technicality.
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CenterOfGravity
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Re: Choose a school
I would highly recommend "TylAir Aviation". They are based in Kamloops, BC. That is the place I got my PPL and I loved every moment of it. Great prices, knowledgable instructors, nice aircraft. Give them a shout and ask questions. 
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Beefitarian
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Re: Choose a school
Hello Trey, I would like more information about Won Wing Lo's Flight Academy.
Where is the closest place for Beef Ho Fun?
Do they have a nicer spot for me to sleep than Bluebird?
I hope you received my bank account information as requested via PM.
Are you considering moving to Canada someday?
Where is the closest place for Beef Ho Fun?
Do they have a nicer spot for me to sleep than Bluebird?
I hope you received my bank account information as requested via PM.
Are you considering moving to Canada someday?
Re: Choose a school
Cedric, do you really want to be a commercial pilot in Canada? You might end up like Trey. Shiny isn't quite as grumpy and disillusioned as Trey, but he hasn't been flying as long.
