Stay in YHM or head to Cornwall for the intial MIFR ?

[iamnomaverick]

Hello;

I live in Hamilton and as many of you know, we don't have any flight schools around since the good old Peninsulair was forced out of YHM!

I have a limited budget (around $10,000.00) and would like to get my initial MIFR within it. The options around YHM are very limited as most of the experienced instructors in the schools around are very busy and I don't want to wait days/weeks between flights, which may in return prolong the training and hrs. Looking for something more like (get in,get 'er done and go on your way!*).

I heard a lot of good things about Cornwall (good training,quick and cost effective) just looking for some assurance befor I make the big commitment, I will have the inrat soon.

Any recent reviews, first hand experience and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

*I-am-no-maverick

[CPLMike89]

Hey, I'd say give Welland aero a call I did my Multi-IFR there in just over a month and did almost all actual IMC. Very pfrofessional instructors and well equipped A/C, scheduling is usually a non-issue.

Pm me if you like

Mike W

[126.75]

Problem with Cornwall is they rely very heavily on their GPS and in my opinion do not teach you all you need to know. There are many things they "skip" over just to push you out the door quicker. I would take a look at Perimeter in Winnipeg, I did my initial IFR there and it really helped me out. I passed an initial Sim Eval on a twin turbine which 2 Cornwall guys failed because they could not do a full procedure NDB approach, I got the job along with someone who went to Coastal Pacific Aviation in BC, the 2 Cornwall guys and someone who learned in Calgary did not. They were half decent guys - just did not know what they should have.

If you really want to go West Pro IFR is pretty good as well!

It may be a good place to go and do a renewal at though - just with the initial you really want to know everything before making a fool of yourself in front of a CP.

Cheers,
126.75

Edit: It's also nice that even though things were slow I made a good impression, went to find work elsewhere and when I returned I applied for a ramp job and got to move up with Perimeter!

[burhead1]

I would recomend waterloo wellington flight center.

If your interested i can PM the name of a great instructor/teacher.

[warbirdpilot7]

WWFC is a good choice, as CYKF has all the approaches you need to learn. The club is big, and some of their expierenced instructors have "actual" IFR. Also, you have CYHM within 25 miles of YKF, and CYXU is not a big distance.
You will be flying a PA-44 at WWFC for the Group 1, and their aircraft are good platforms. If you do choose Welland or WWFC, you are close to the Aerocourse in YYZ, which I'm sure you have looked into already.

A fellow aviator from The Hammer, welcome aboard.

[iamnomaverick]

Thanks for the replies guys !!

Mike, how much did each rating end up costing you and how many twin hrs did u log in the process ?

126.75, most of the people I know who trained at Perimeter said it costs about 15ks to get an intial MIFR there which is unfortunately a little over my shy budget !! I know it's great school but I wish i could afford that luxury !

burhead and warbird pilot, it will take me about 3 moths to get the MIFR from WWFC as they are very busy with their college and university students ! the experienced instructors are very busy usually....

[iamnomaverick]

So I am still waiting on someone with a recent first hand experience with Cornwall (initial MIFR) most of the posts on the forum are regarding renewals not initial training..

[CPLMike89]

The multi took me about 4 hours dual 1 hour pic for the flight test and after the flight test and all fees paid it was just under $2000. for me it was an upgrade from a grop 3 IFR to a group 1 so it only ended up costing like another 2500. There was a fellow there who just finished yesterday (he started from scratch) and I beleive he spent around 9000 for both ratings and finished with something like 25 hours and a bunch of sim time. Hope this helps.

Mike W

[Chaffey]

I did my initial training in Cornwall for MIFR. One good thing is they get you done. I told them I needed the ride completed by a certain time because my INRAT was about to expire and they were accommodating. I walked out of there 1 day before my INRAT expired. so two thumbs up to cornwall for that.

I never really found that Cornwall slacked off on any of their teachings. I knew how to do all holds, approaches, and so on.

One thing to keep in mind, ask yourself a question. Will I use this MIFR as a single pilot IFR or as a ticket to get a job as an FO? Chances are you're first flights IFR will be as a first officer. You'll be able to get your IFR experience there. Cornwall teaches you the information you'll need to know to stay safe and get to the destination.

If you do choose Cornwall. Glen is a great guy. Knowing something about preferred routes will make him happy when he goes to do your exam.