Air-Hart for float training

morerightrudder · Post by **morerightrudder** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 10:46 am

So Im thinking about heading out to Kelowna to get my CPL with Air-Hart. It caught my eye because they offer a 50 Hr bush course which could get some good PIC float hours. Does anyone recommend this school and their operations? Are there other flight schools that offer similar programs? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

darbel · Post by **darbel** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:31 pm

I didn't do my CPL at air hart, but I did the 50 hr bush course about 4 years ago. Trevor still owned it back then, and he was just in the process of selling it to the new guy. I was able to take the 172 xp on some pretty cool cross country flights (pic). I'm pretty sure it's run the same way now, and if I'm not mistaken, Trevor might still be the cfi. I had a blast doing my training there, and it led me into a great job that I'm still working at today. I would highly recommend it. I'm not sure if there is anywhere else that will give you that much pic on floats. Good luck with your training.

Free Skies · Post by **Free Skies** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:36 pm

They are like so the best. Had a super time doing my rating with them. Can't recommend them more highly. You can't go wrong with Air-Hart. Their CPL program will make you an awsome pilot and will give you one of the best chances of getting a job in the industry. Far better than a 7 hr rating or even those 50hr bush courses that others offer. Get your full CPL on floats with Air-Hart.

North Shore · Post by **North Shore** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 2:57 pm

^Hmmm. A one-post wonder. And thoroughly enthusiastic at that. Pass a grain of salt, please (or not.)

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 4:00 pm

They are like so the best.

If this poster has any aspirations of an interview with Air Canada it might be wise to work on his/her language skills.

trey kule · Post by **trey kule** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 3:47 am

So, like, cat dude, chill....that phrase is so yesterday.

Consider what type of person gives them a glowing endorsement! Air Canada...Not for 5 years or so, as I think you need to be 21 to apply there.

darbel · Post by **darbel** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:06 am

For sure, I guess you need thousands of posts and hundreds of hours on av Canada to have any sort of respectable opinion right......... Get a life.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 8:36 am

For sure, I guess you need thousands of posts and hundreds of hours on av Canada to have any sort of respectable opinion right......... Get a life.

No, one should not need any posts on Avcavada to understand that talking like a fifteen year old texting is the way to go through an interview with any reputable air service for the position of pilot.

As to me getting a life that is not a problem as I already have a life and part of it is in aviation....and hiring pilots is also part of what I do.

An interview with a perspective pilot who can not speak beyond the level of a fifteen year old would not last long.

darbel · Post by **darbel** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 8:59 am

Cat Driver, I was not being a sarcastic a-hole about your post. I happen to agree with what you are saying. My point is that it doesn't matter if you have one post or a thousand, it shouldn't mean that your opinion means nothing.

morerightrudder · Post by **morerightrudder** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:42 pm

So cat driver, do you have an opinion about Air-Hart?

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:28 pm

So cat driver, do you have an opinion about Air-Hart?

Yes, I highly recommend them based on having met them and seen their operation over the years.

jpilot77 · Post by **jpilot77** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 8:42 pm

My point is that it doesn't matter if you have one post or a thousand, it shouldn't mean that your opinion means nothing.

Well of course their opinion means nothing, they have no track record. It could be a troll, some kid or a employee of said company.

I_Heart_Seaplanes · Post by **I_Heart_Seaplanes** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 10:41 pm

I did 55hrs at Air-Hart in '06 and had a great time. Trevor is a fantastic instructor. I cannot speak to the quality now that the company is in new hands. But if Trevor is still involved, its a safe bet.

morerightrudder wrote:Are there other flight schools that offer similar programs?

Fort Langley Air also has a 50hr program, and rents the 180 solo (not many places do).

dirk82 · Post by **dirk82** » Tue Aug 30, 2011 6:50 am

I did my floats there this spring. I can't say enough good things about Dave and his wife. He shows you some really great scenarios and for me I felt a whole lot more comfortable in a wheel plane when I was finished. The 1 bad thing I found was I had to do my solo on a long weekend. Anyone who's ever been to kelowna in the summer knows it's packed full of retards on boats who think it's funny to try and race you on take off or cut in front of you on final so they can get to roses quicker. Still a great place to train.

iflyforpie · Post by **iflyforpie** » Tue Aug 30, 2011 7:42 am

Yes. I got really good at aborted takeoffs and go arounds not only on Okanagan Lake, but Wood Lake, Kalamalka Lake, and Mara Lake too. Never found a boat that could keep up with the ol' XP on floats, but many tried.

I only did my rating and about ten hours of bombing around (you could rent the plane solo in 2002, I am not sure about now). Lots of good experience since Okanagan Lake will offer just about any kind of water on a given day, including glass. Instructors ranged from the guy who just finished his 50hr course to Trevor when he was there, a really good teacher. Lots of upper lakes on the Plateau to explore as well...

floatrfun · Post by **floatrfun** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 9:27 am

Northshore I can assure you that neither I or our employees are "Free Skies" and made that post. I haven't even been on here for a while as way too busy. Just saw this post now. We have a number of students that peruse the AvCanada often and although I can see why such a glowing post could be suspicious, especially since a single post, none of us here feel the need to make up posts. I am curious though as to who Free Skies is (send me a PM) and thank you for your kind words. Morerightrudder, not sure if you are the guy that called me a week ago but if you want to speak with some of our 50 HR/CPL students that went right into jobs this season , they have all said we can provide their contact information.

lazyboy · Post by **lazyboy** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:29 pm

I have hired a few of Trevors past students with the 50 hr course.They all caught on to the 185 fast and had a good basic understanding of float flying.With a bit more training and supervision they were cut loose.Our flying was demanding with full loads,river work,and lots of open water.I don't think a person can go wrong training there.

Results may vary · Post by **Results may vary** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 6:22 pm

Hi guys,

So, a few years on from the last post on here, is Air Hart still highly recommended and is there much difference doing the 50hr course in the 172 compared to the 180?

Cheers

looproll · Post by **looproll** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 10:02 pm

I spoke with a fellow that did a lot of flying there. Sounds like a great operation. The 180 will be a lot more expensive, but you'll learn a lot!

Duffman · Post by **Duffman** » Fri Jan 04, 2013 1:31 pm

I have nothing even slightly negative to say about them.

182-SS · Post by **182-SS** » Fri Jan 04, 2013 2:04 pm

I did my rating with them and highly recommend. Dave and his wife are great and so are his other instructors. I would suggest getting into the 180 for as many hours as you can afford, its important to fly something similar to the 185, the 180 will be a lot closer to what your going to be flying.
Kelowna is a beautiful place to do your rating to, and as touched on in the above posts it provides all sorts of environments for practice.
The lake is big (135 KM long 5 km wide) and the water can get big to, but it is often glass.
There is no shortage of other lakes to go to including high altitude which is very important to learn on. Learning with all the boats around is a real positive for training, it is like getting your wings at an international airport instead of a quiet strip; But its not always crazy busy, just certain times of the day and weekends in the summer. And not to worry if it is really busy with all the other lakes and the size of Okanagan lake you have more than enough dead areas to work by yourselves.

tractor747 · Post by **tractor747** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 9:46 am

quick question guys, does Air-hart operate out of a designated TC water aerodrome or do they have a dock on the harbour? I had a friend that got his float rating there back in 01 and his instructor was great and flying up and down the okanagan lake was really beautiful.

Anyways, do they operate out of a dock or is it desgnated an water aerodrome, I can't find it in the Water CFS.

Thanks

182-SS · Post by **182-SS** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 12:39 pm

You wont find it in the CFS because it's not in there. It's not a TC waterdrome.

Google earth it, its directly north of the yacht club and in front of the Delta Grand hotel complex and part of waterfront park.

49*53'28.5 N
119*29'59.45W

you can see 2 planes at the dock in the picture.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 2:58 pm

Anyways, do they operate out of a dock or is it desgnated an water aerodrome,

What difference would it make if you get your sea plane rating at a designated water aerodrome??????

Duffman · Post by **Duffman** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 3:17 pm

Cat Driver wrote:

Anyways, do they operate out of a dock or is it desgnated an water aerodrome,
What difference would it make if you get your sea plane rating at a designated water aerodrome??????

It doesn't make any difference but it sounds like he was just curious and wanted to look it up in the CFS

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