Aircraft rental Ontario ....???

[Radar]

Hi folks,. .I plan a vacation in SW Ontaro next month and hope to log a few hours while there. I'm looking for details of single engine aircraft for rent in the Stratford / Wingham area. Also does anyone have a contact telephone / e-mail address for Transport Canada in Toronto? I need to arrange the validation paperwork for my foreign licence.. .. .Many thanks in advance

[slpilot]

Transport Canada's Website is <a href="http://www.tc.gc.ca" target="_blank">www.tc.gc.ca</a>. .Regional Office. .4900 Yonge Street, Suite400. .Toronto, Ontario M2N 6A5. .(416) 952-0164-this number is geberal enquiries for Civil Aviation. .. .As well, I don't know how good the service is, but try I believe it is 1800-"O"CANADA. .. .As for various rental places, not sure about Wiarton or Stratford but do a search on the net, or Transport Canada may also be able to help. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" />

[Burnout18]

If London isn't too far out of your way, I highly recommend Empire Aviation based at CYXU. I did my PPL with them, and they are top notch. They have since aquired a new fleet of 172R's.. .. .<a href="http://www.odyssey.on.ca/~empire/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.odyssey.on.ca/~empire/index.html</a>. .. .I'm very familiar with that area, so if you have more questions, ask away.

[aspinwing]

Address fot TC is correct but try this number instead.. .. .Cadenhead, Lindsay H; Superintendant, Licensing/FTS;(416) 952-0216 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> . .. .Good luck

[Radar]

slpilot, Burnout 18, aspinwing,. .. .Thanks for your input folks. I've contacted TC in Toronto and will start the ball rolling over the weekend.. .. .Burnout 18 - could you educate me? How long is the drive London - Hariston? Mapquest gives 3 hours which is a bit far I think. Stratford, Wingham, Goderich are closer but I don't seem to get much info from a websearch. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong place !. .. .Thanks again for your input guys. It's much appreciated.

[Dockjock]

You are in luck, I just happened by this link and remembered this thread. Cheers and have a good trip!. .. .<a href="http://www.gfc-wfc.com/" target="_blank">http://www.gfc-wfc.com/</a>

[Radar]

Dockjock,. .Thanks for the link. I had stumbled across it myself a couple of daysago. I've sent an e-mail but no response yet. Have you had any dealings with these folks? Looks like their fleet amounts to two, shared between Goderich and Wingham so availability could be a problem.. .In any event, thanks for posting the info.

[Squawk 8888]

The <a href="http://www.copanational.org" target="_blank">Canadian Owners and Pilots Association</a> has a really good guide to airports and schools. AFAIK there's a school at Stratford and another in Tillsonburg. If you're willing to drive a couple of hours there's also rentals at Kitchener and Guelph.

[Burnout18]

Radar,. .. .The drive from Harriston to London is approx. 2 hrs, less if you drive enthusiastically <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> . .. .If you prefer the short drive and can get things arranged from Wingham, then I certainly recommend you go there. Its a small school, but if its still run by the same guy as it was in '98 (his last name is Thomas, as I recall), then I'd recommend flying with them as well. . .. .If you have any more questions on the schools or the area, feel free to ask.

[Radar]

Guys,. .Thanks to all for posting info. The necessary forms are winging their way to TC's Ontario office as we speak. I've also made contact with Chris at Wingham and rental there shouldn't be a problem. Burnout, the school you refer to, is that a C172 / PA28 operation out of both Wingham and Goderich?? Also, any suggestions for $100 hamburgers starting from Wingham??? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

[Squawk 8888]

Wiarton (CYVV) is about 30 miles north of Wingham, easy to find (VORTAC on the field). Nothing at the airport but there are 3 courtesy bikes in good condition that will get you into th town 4 miles away. Tobermory's just another 15 miles to the northwest in some pretty spectacular country but I don't think they have anything near the field. If you're really amitious check out Gore Bay (CYZE), courtesy car & bikes at the airport. You'll need a high ceiling to get there in a single because the shortest route involves a 16-mile water crossing- a 172 will glide to shore from approx. 5500' ASL. Closer to civilization London and Waterloo both have good restaurants at the airport.

[Burnout18]

Radar,. .. .I busted out my 2001 issue of Wings magazine (best Canadian flyin mag) that has the flight training directory.. .. .Yes, indeed the link posted above is to the school I was thinking of. CFI is Dave Thomas, who's a class act. Go with them for sure.. .. .To add to Squawk 8888's suggestions, if your looking for some senic flying, head up the peninsula to YVV and even YZE. Also, If its in the summer that you're over here, Tobermory would be worth considering (no winter maintenance). I've never flown in there, so I'm not sure how far the field is from town, but its a really nice tourist town in the summer time. . .. .Anywhere else, you will just get bored, since its flat farmland in every other direction. It also requires a keen eye and some intuition to distinguish one town from another! . .. .My advice: Go north on the peninsula, thats where I usually go!

[Squawk 8888]

Burnout, been to YVV and always wanted to check out YZE- I hope to do it sometime this summer. Any recommendations?

[Burnout18]

Squawk 8888,. .. .Actually, I have yet to fly up there myself. I had to can a trip in fall '99 cause of Wx and timing reasons. I've heard Its a nice trip though, from those who have done it.. .. .Its a great drive up there, the highway that goes from South Bay Mouth to Espanola is absolutely amazing! Twisties all the way, through some rugged northern landscape.... .. .Nonetheless, I'm also hoping to make it up there sometime. Maybe this spring. . .. .Oh, and if you want X-wind practice, try dropping in at YOS.

[kelly vermeer]

If you don't mind flying a bit then head up to Kilarney. It is beautiful and the airport is pretty easy to find. When you get there you can phone the Kilarney Lodge and they will come and pick you up from the airport. They have a really nice restaurant and my understanding is that in the summer they have a great fish and chips. But the scenery is really nice and it's not somewhere you could drive to easily because the roads take you way out of the way but it's great to fly to!! Good Luck! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" />

[Radar]

Thanks a million for all the gen, guys. Sorry for the delay in responding but I've been away from base for the past week.. .. .Burnout - Thanks for taking the time to confirm the operation at Wingham for me. It looks like Dave Thomas is the man I'll be dealing with, probably for the 172.. .. .Squawk 8888 - Thanks for naming the suggested destinations (in addition to their identifiers). Since I'm not yet in posession of the appropriate VNC, I'll have to content myself with what Mapquest has to offer for the moment.. .. .VanGal - I plan to do as much flying as I can get away with. At thoses prices, I'd be a fool not to take full advantage. Killarney has been on my hit list since I saw it detailed on another site. It sounds fantastic. Besides, as an Irishman, I'd have to check it out and see how it compares to the original <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> All I hope is the wx isn't typically 'irish' while I'm there.. .. .Once again thanks to all for your input. I really appreciate it.

[rnobson]

I'f yu are up for an international flight You can fly to KYIP ( Detroit Area) and yu'll meet a scotty pretending he;s a yank and will buy yu lunch. .. .Have a good time . .. .Robbie

[Radar]

rnobson,. .Great offer, Rob. I won't give you a definite committment at this stage since I haven't finalised all the details of the aircraft rental yet. If I can make it over, I will. Probably around April 14 or 15. I'll keep you posted. Talk to you later !

[Radar]

Well, back again after my whistle-stop trip to Ontario. Even though the wx wasn't really co-operative over the weekend, I still managed almost five hours af flying. Thanks to all who took the time to supply me with information. Thanks Burnout 18 for recommending Dave Thomas atWingham - super guy. I had a blast, just enough to whet myapetite for the next visit. Thanks again guys !

[Burnout18]

Radar,

I'm glad you enjoyed your stay. Too bad the Wx during the week didn't carry into the weekend. Hope you enjoy many more visits here.

[ccpilot]

Another good site: www.beapilot.com will give you flying schools in Canada by province. Brampton is a good place to fly modern airport, large fleet, 172, 152, two seminoles.