Flight Training Advise

[WakeMan]

Hi,

I am a British citizen and would like to come to Canada to complete my flight training and would like some advise please.

I am new to the Canadian ratings, this is the first time ive looking into doing them.

Firstly I have looked through lots of websites and found 2 schools which seem to be okay, firstly Moncton Flight College and secondly Algonquin Flight Centre, both these schools are known and recomended in the UK.

Moncton's prices are a lot cheaper than Algonquin, which are just over CAD$26,000 for the commercial, multi instrument (200 hr programme) as the same at Algonquin is CAD$39,000.

Does anyone have any experience at these 2 schools, or recomendations of other schools? Does Canada have a large school like that of Oxford in the UK or FlightSafety in the USA?

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Also I plan on entering Canada on a student visa, then when I have completed my training changing this visa to a work visa, which is now possible under a new scheme that the Canadian government have.

I would like to work as either a Flight Instructor or move in to Bush Flying, are these jobs readily available in Canada? as if there are no jobs at the end of it, its kind of pointless me training for the Canadian ratings.

Thank you in advance.

[blueskies777]

I know nothing about both flight schools,

But for $26,even $39k thats a great price man!!

Im probably going to pay over $50k

at least you know now you are getting a good price.

Check thought that its the latest price with all the increase in gas and stuff

[WakeMan]

I forgot to mention, I have my PPL.

Thats probably why my quotes are quite cheap,

[THEICEMAN]

Im probably going to pay over $50k

Why so much?

[MichaelP]

Do be careful, the price quoted is seldom the price you pay in Canada.
Ensure that you will get a JAA CPL at the end of your training and won't have to go to further expensive lengths back in Britain.
Avoid making large payments to a school in advance.

[WakeMan]

Thanks for the replies.

At this time im not thinking about JAA ratings, its quite cheap to convert anyway. I want to train somewhere I can work afterwards, at this time there is no work in the UK, and wont be for the next few years.

I initially wanted to go to the USA to do my training and work afterwards, but ive just found out that the J1 visa program has been canceled by the US governement. Besides it does seem to be cheaper to train in Canada and the exchange rate is better.

[trey kule]

Come on over. International experience is a good thing, and I have been told there is a shortage of instructors around, so if you can get a work visa and enjoy teaching I believe a job will come. You will need to get an instructors rating here.

Good luck

[MichaelP]

I want to train somewhere I can work afterwards

The instructor rating route is probably the best one.... British instructors are the best in the World; not that I'm biased

You should consider coming to the West Coast, the weather is less cold in the winter, and the terrain is a lot less boring than Ontario.
Yes we can be rained in during the winter, but we don't have to shovel it!

At my place you can get a decent cup of tea, and fly good aeroplanes all year round

[WakeMan]

Hi MichealP,

Thanks, I havent really looked at the west coast of Canada.

Im guessing your a British Instructor, did you do the same as what I want to do?

What schools are on the west coast?

Cheers.

[MichaelP]

I've made mistakes in the past... 'Thought £30,000 was too much for me to borrow to get the British CPL as it was then even though I'd bought three aeroplanes already!
My compatriots who borrowed the big money and did the UK CPL are all sitting pretty earning good money having been treated very well by their employers.

But that was then...

Where-ever you fly now, I bet you'll know someone who knows me!

I'm at a new school here on the west coast and of course part of that new 'school' is a bit of a British flying club atmosphere.
Somewhat more friendly, come in, sit down, have a cup of tea, there's scones on the table, jam in the fridge...
Website: http://www.sealandair.ca

[Rhys Perraton]

Hello there, I came to Canada 8 years ago and converted from a British to Canadian licence, including instructor rating.
If I can help please e.mail me.

moonbeam3@shaw.ca

Regards,
Rhys

[MichaelP]

Hello Rhys, how is the Stearman doing?

[blueskies777]

Im probably going to pay over $50k

Why so much?

That bring up an interesting point.
I will end up paying that much because my school has you in the sim every other day.

They really make the $$$ off you during the MULTI-IFR
You do about 30 or so hours more than required by transport.

Thats a fine idea,but I dont NEED it to get a job somewhere.

Problem is that I have to do it their way and cant opt out of it if i want to train there.