Is Winnipeg the good choice ?

[iYehia]

Lately I've been emailing a bunch of flight schools all over Canada as an international student and I felt comfortable towards Harv's air in Winnipeg, Manitoba

My only concern is the city itself.
Regardless the cold weather,
is Winnipeg a good choice when it comes to opportunities after finishing my training ? or should I reconsider somewhere around Vancouver or Toronto?

Also if you have any other concerns about the city I would be glad to know your perspective.

Thanks.

[shamrock104]

I would prefer Bimini or Tortola myself. It should be a pretty decent choice for Winter training as you will get more VFR days there than say Vancouver.
Also your rent will be a lot more inexpensive and it may be a little easier to secure employment there once you have completed all of your training.

[RoAF-Mig21]

Lately I've been emailing a bunch of flight schools all over Canada as an international student and I felt comfortable towards Harv's air in Winnipeg, Manitoba

My only concern is the city itself.
Regardless the cold weather,
is Winnipeg a good choice when it comes to opportunities after finishing my training ? or should I reconsider somewhere around Vancouver or Toronto?

Also if you have any other concerns about the city I would be glad to know your perspective.

Thanks.

The short answer is: YES.

I moved to Winnipeg so I can start my aviation career (as a rampie and eventually a flying position) and what was supposed to be a temporary 2 - 3 years turned into 7 years. Eventually we moved out of there because I couldn't handle the long winters anymore, but it's not as bad as people make it out to be. The opportunities are really good for a new pilot, both flying out of Winnipeg Int'l and St. Andrews.

The cost of living is much better than Toronto or Vancouver. There are many areas to live in Winnipeg that are fun and safe. South of downtown, Osborne Village is really great. We had a good time there and summers and fall are really nice. Although the city may get a bad rep from people that know very little about it, once you get to live there you'll find its charm.

Again, we moved out because of weather, but as a career starter, I highly recommend it. Just my two cents.

[Float_lover]

The training site and the job site are not necessary linked but there is way more entry-level job in the Manitoba and NW Ontario than in Vancouver or Toronto area.
Go there if you feel good and then you can still move after your training where you want to!

[Turboprops]

There’s almost no entry level jobs in Van/GTA except instructing.
Winnipeg on the other hand has quite a few 703/4, in addition to instructor jobs.
Honestly if you can’t handle the cold weather (for at least a few winters), you’re gonna have a really bad time being a pilot in Canada.

[RoAF-Mig21]

There’s almost no entry level jobs in Van/GTA except instructing.
Winnipeg on the other hand has quite a few 703/4, in addition to instructor jobs.
Honestly if you can’t handle the cold weather (for at least a few winters), you’re gonna have a really bad time being a pilot in Canada.

I second that opinion.

[Donald]

Normally, Winnipeg is NEVER a good choice

[iYehia]

There’s almost no entry level jobs in Van/GTA except instructing.
Winnipeg on the other hand has quite a few 703/4, in addition to instructor jobs.
Honestly if you can’t handle the cold weather (for at least a few winters), you’re gonna have a really bad time being a pilot in Canada.

What do you think about Calgary and Alberta in general ?

[iYehia]

Normally, Winnipeg is NEVER a good choice

Said no polar bear

[iYehia]

I would prefer Bimini or Tortola myself. It should be a pretty decent choice for Winter training as you will get more VFR days there than say Vancouver.
Also your rent will be a lot more inexpensive and it may be a little easier to secure employment there once you have completed all of your training.

The only reason I could go to Winnipeg is Harv's honestly, It's really hard to communicate with flight schools overseas and trust them when you can not visit the school yourself.

[RoAF-Mig21]

If I can add something to my advice:

- Make sure you listen to those that are living or have lived in Winnipeg. There is a life outside of flying. I'm not a fan of Winnipeg; I actually moved away, but considering everything asked / discussed above, I would still recommend it to someone starting out in aviation. The work / life balance is hard to beat for a new pilot. (Opportunities, cost of living, etc).

[iYehia]

If I can add something to my advice:

- Make sure you listen to those that are living or have lived in Winnipeg. There is a life outside of flying. I'm not a fan of Winnipeg; I actually moved away, but considering everything asked / discussed above, I would still recommend it to someone starting out in aviation. The work / life balance is hard to beat for a new pilot. (Opportunities, cost of living, etc).

That's exactly the case. The city itself doesn't look interesting, but if it's the good choice for flying I'll go for it. Opportunity cost.

[Blackdog0301]

Delete

[frog]

I spent a Winter in Winnipeg and I actually liked the Winter part.
It is great for skating and cross country skiing !
Also the weather is mostly better than in a lot of places. It is cold but dry so it doesn't affect you the same way.

[bradpitt]

Not as busy as most airspaces in Canada. ie less time on the ground... $$$

[Beefitarian]

I liked it better before Kalekis closed.