Flight Training Near Hamilton

[VikVaughan]

Hello everyone,

I have a little question about pursuing flight training in sounthern Ontario, and could use your help. I currently reside and go to university in Hamilton, and up until recently had planned to go to an aviation college after university, but due to a few reasons, I'm now looking at doing things myself.

I'm currently looking for a place nearby to do my PPL this summer, and would like some feedback or suggestions as to where to go. There is one little caveat - I don't have a car, so I'd need a way to get there semi reasonably by coach, transit, bike, etc, etc. Since Peninsulair is no longer (very unfortunate, had some nice seeming people who are members here), I've been taking a look at Spectrum Airways in Burlington. I've done a bit of a search and they sound reasonable. I was wondering if there was anywhere else that is as close that i may be missing, as the next nearest flight school appears to be in Waterloo.

I'll be working full time all summer and hope to have the time to complete things after work and on weekends within the summer.

Any input appreciated,
Thanks!

[AUGER9]

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[deflux]

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[VikVaughan]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I've looked at renting a car, and it looks like it would be around $50 sataurday morning till monday morning, not bad! So thats a possibility - rent a car every wekeend, fly sataurday & sunday .

I guess the new question is, what FTU would you recommend near Hamilton if transport is not an issue. I'll search the forums as always, but new feedback would be much appreciated too.

[precision_approach]

Don't forget to look at Guelph (Aviation International). I'm a part owner of this school.

There are buses several times a day from Hamilton to Guelph (Coach Canada). Then a city bus out to the airport. Total travel time about an hour and a half.

Also, summer sublets of student apartments are plentiful and cheap if you plan to stay the weekend.

[VikVaughan]

Don't forget to look at Guelph (Aviation International). I'm a part owner of this school.

There are buses several times a day from Hamilton to Guelph (Coach Canada). Then a city bus out to the airport. Total travel time about an hour and a half.

Also, summer sublets of student apartments are plentiful and cheap if you plan to stay the weekend.

Hi precision,

I took a look at the Aviation International website, but unfortunately it isn't finished yet. Could you possibly answer a few questions for me? What type of aircraft do you do training on, what are your rates/hour or typical total cost for a PPL, is the training flexible (eg: If I have already completed ground school, or if I would like to do flight training on weekends for several hours a day in order to finish within a 2-4 months, would that be possible), is it pay as you fly or upfront, etc.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Edit: I just read the other thread where a lot of these questions were answered. Good stuff! If you could still provide rental/instruction/briefing time rates, that would be great. Also, are there many opportunities to venture over to Waterloo to get a taste of both controlled and uncontrolled airports? Anyway, I think you might be seeing me this summer

[Thair81]

Brantford Flight Centre is by far one of the best places in the Hamilton area. Great people, aircraft in great condition and the airport and training area are fantastic. I did my Commercial Licence, Flight Instructor rating and instructed there for a while and loved it. Great place and good value for money. If you have any more questions about the place just PM me. Hope this helps.

[deflux]

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[VikVaughan]

There's so many choices.. this is frustrating.. argh. Thair81 and deflux, check your PM's in a short bit!



Perhaps more detail would help:

I plan to pursue this as a career path (mechanical engineering didin't really turn out to be my passion.. I've had an interest in aviation since I was 6 and would love nothing more than to fly for a living, despite the apparent hardships) and hope to eventually persue a commercial license, MIFR, etc. I'm not sure if any of that makes a difference - but perhaps some schools are more oriented toward recreational pilots, and some toward career pilots?? Any enlightenment here would be useful.

I'd be interested in gaining a variety of experience at both small airports and large ones. How challenging is it going from a non towered environment to one that is, or vice versa?

[AUGER9]

My suggestion is to borrow someones car for a day. Visit all these schools to meet the instructors, have a tour, etc. and decide for yourself which you like.