Seneca Certificate vs. BFC flight college.

[C-GOYR]

I did a search and found a lot of information on both schools but not so much about the two programs. I went to both of their website and got some information there however; I would like to hear opinions from those that are in or went through the program at these two outfits and any of you with advice or criticism to give. Many, if not all of you are light years ahead of me and have valuable experience so please share.

Seneca offers the 10 academic courses and the 200 hrs CPL program and BFC doesn't offer any academic courses. My question is how much weight is placed on academic courses when looking for a job? BFC flight college offers the same 200 hrs CPL (Ground school, PPL, night rating, CPL, multi engine (not mifr), instrument (I'm assuming single engine) and L.O.F.T and solo M.C.P. training. Not sure what M.C.P is so please feel free to elaborte.

I emailed and called seneca three days ago but no response yet. I called BFC and was told they do not offer academic courses that does not deal with flying. I'm under the assumption that their ground school is their "academic" portion.

I did a bit of training at YKZ and got a first hand look at their instructors so I decided to pay BFC a visit and ask a few questions. One of my question was when does flight training time begin. The instructor with whom I spoke to said it begins once the engine starts. I asked and he answered that their training area is roughly five minutes away. He wasn't too sure about YKZ's policy but knew their training area is cooks bay. Is YKZ logging the time it takes to get to cooks bay or only when you get there?

Thank you in advance.

[pilotman15]

Regarding flight time:

The 200 hours that you hear of is you in the airplane for 200 hours with the engine running. If it takes you 5 min to get to the practice area or 25 min it all comes out of the 200 hours. Having a close practice area is key when you are paying for the rental. When you are in a government subsidized program (seneca) it doesn't matter as you aren't paying for it either way and you don't have to worry financially about going .1 or .2 over the alloted time for the flight. With a school like BFC you are paying for the flying so a close practice area lets you get to work with the purpose of the flight right away so you should have no problem completing a 1 hour flight in the 1 hour.

Seneca is a college/university??? not sure the exact title of what you get when you graduate, I know you get a degree but also not sure if you get an aviation diploma too. Most employers don't really care if you went to post-secondary schools, however some do prefer a post-secondary education and some even prefer an aviation related post-secondary education. I have heard good things about both programs. Just keep in mind that with BFC you are paying and with seneca (sault & confed also) the flying portion is covered by the Ontario government and you only have to pay the normal college/university tuition.

Seneca also has a pretty decent fleet with their Bonanza's for CPL training and their Baron's for MEIFR training.

Either way both have been around for a long time and have a good reputation.

[Speed_Bird1]

C-GOYR,

Both schools have their pros and cons, so it is really down to your personal circumstances.
Seneca is government subsidised, and you end up with a degree (applied) - all good, but it will take you the best part of 4 years to complete. BFC is a one year program which gets you a Diploma in Aviation Studies, but you are paying for all of the costs. Both schools get you a CPL multi IFR and 200 hours.

I went through the BFC program, and found it to be perfect for my needs, good A/C, instructors and atmosphere (I'm not 18 and don't have all the time in the world!) - The other thing to think about is that in 4 years you could have built up time instructing/time building 1500hr +, and be on your next job, or be just finished at Seneca with 200 hours.

The first job you get will probably be more dependant on your hours rather than which program you completed.

So really it is down to your own personal circumstances, there has been rumours though of Buttonville closing!? so not sure what would happen to Seneca - I heard from one source a move to North Bay- but don't hold me to that!

Lots to think about

hope this helps

[spot45]

Hi What is BFC flight colege? I searched it up

[cyrus2121]

Brampton Flight Centre College.

http://www.bramfly.ca/

[Bushav8er]

Brampton Flight Centre College.

http://www.bramfly.ca/

mis-nomenclature- advertising trick, its not a college at all.

[Speed_Bird1]

"The Brampton Flight Centre and the Brampton Flight College are among the select few flight schools in Ontario to have their programs registered and approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The act that governs private career colleges is called the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005. This act ensures that private career colleges meet certain standards for the programs they offer"

Right off the website... not wanting to stir any sh.t

[Bushav8er]

"The Brampton Flight Centre and the Brampton Flight College are among the select few flight schools in Ontario to have their programs registered and approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The act that governs private career colleges is called the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005. This act ensures that private career colleges meet certain standards for the programs they offer"

Right off the website... not wanting to stir any sh.t

That is true...for any and all flight schools that wished to remain in business, it was a dirty tax grab. Doesn't make them 'colleges'.

This act ensures that private career colleges meet certain standards for the programs they offer

Which the Feds are responsible for and already do as a requirement for (pilot) licencing.

[phantom]

I think there is some confusion in this thread. There is a MAJOR difference between Seneca College and their 4 year degree program vs. the program that is offered in a partnership with Toronto Airways and gives the student a Seneca College Certificate. I believe that is what the original poster was asking about.

[skypirate88]

This is the new web address: http://www.bramptonflightcentre.com/
Here's a little more about the program:

Upon completion of the Program, graduates receive a Commercial Pilot Licence with Multi-engine and Group 1 Instrument Rating along with the Professional Pilot Program Diploma from Brampton Flight College. Each year the top three graduates from the Program are offered positions as Flight Instructors at Brampton Flight Centre (some conditions apply).

Towards the end of the program there is a focus on what one may encounter during there first or second job. These groundschools include; Initial Training programs presented to new hire pilots by Charter and Commuter airline operators and covers areas such as Airline Air Law, Multi-Crew Flight Deck Procedures, Advanced Aircraft Systems (Beechcraft King Air 300/350), Flight Management Systems (FMS), High Altitude Operations, Airborne Icing and Surface Contamination, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Oceanic Operations, Safety Management Systems (SMS), Survival Equipment and CFIT (Controlled Flight Into Terrain) Avoidance. The bulk of these classes are taught by active commuter/airline pilots.

Hope this at least helps the Brampton side of things.

Cheers, and happy landings

[nitescream]

I find Brampton better than Seneca in my opinion. Reason being that Brampton Flight Centre OWNS the airport and land, Seneca does not! The ground school instructors always put down the industry when I attended on a part time basis. Brampton is WAY more friendly and positive!

[goodpilot]

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[nitescream]

I was in the BFC program. I joined BFC program because of the instructor job guarantee at the end of the course. You have to be top 20% in the class. I was one of them and i got the job. My point is, if I went to seneca, I wouldve been stuck for 4 years without any job. At BFC, your ready to go after 1 year. Dont look at the job guarantee if you dont plan on instructing, otherwise BFC is a good choice if you want to instruct after yout flight training. I dont know what its like now for the hiring as the recession is going on. Hope that helps.

I go there for my training as stated before, PM me your real name if you work there still. My instructor is Jason O. Brampton was and still is the best choice I have made!

[SevenThreeOne]

The one definitive advantage to Brampton is the timeframe in which you complete the licensing requirements.

Seneca is an actual accredited and recognized provincial college, whereas Brampton's College Program is a Private Career College.
The actual FTU is not a college

If you want the degree enough, want it all in one go, and don't mind the program duration, go for Seneca..

If you want the training done as quick as possible, Brampton is a good option.. I would look into additional post secondary on top of it though
maybe in the form of an online diploma or degree program.

I went with Brampton for that reason, and as a result, I have made very good progress for my age through flight training as of so far.

I can't speak for Seneca as I do not have first hand experience with them, but I do know Brampton has a very high quality of training, with very friendly
and knowledgeable people around. Really great place.

Good Luck

[HM123]

I had a question about subsidized verus non-subsidized flight training costs: I just checked Seneca's website (https://www.senecacollege.ca/ce/technol ... uitionFees) about their Commercial Pilot Certificate and its says it would cost $35k + taxes for flight training plus $5k for academic courses. This would give you 200 hours and CPL + 10 academic courses. Meanwhile, I e-mailed Brampton flight Centre and their information says it would cost $35k + taxes for a 200 hr CPL.

I don't see how Seneca is subsidized as it looks like it costs the same as Brampton except you pay more for the academic courses. at Seneca. Can anyone clear this up?

[costermonger]

The difference in cost of operating between Cutlass/Bonanza and Seminole/Baron probably goes some way towards explaining the difference in price. Seneca is using types that nobody else in the country (that I know of) uses in flight training.

[gustind]

Alright to clarify.

OYR is talking about the CERTIFICATE program, NOT the degree program.

This is the one:
https://senecac.on.ca/ce/technology/com ... l#Overview

Personally I do not have any hands-on experience with either BFC or Seneca's Certificate program. However I heard that you basically take night classes at Seneca and you can fly with Airways or do it out of Markham, Oshawa or wherever you choose. The whole idea behind this is that you get your flying done outside of Seneca at your own pace and do their classes at night. My understanding after talking with someone who I think is in this certificate program.