Canadian PPL

[Kulu]

I was thinking about learning to fly in Canada, and was wondering if anyone had any experience of schools in and around Vancouver - are they any good, what's the flying like and so on.

Also (he typed, suddenly aware that he had not yet looked at the CAA site) does anyone know what the formalities are like in terms of getting UK licence on the back of a Canadian one?

All help gratefully received.

[MLS-12D]

I've never flown in British Columbia, so can't give any firsthand advice. It is a beautiful province, I can confirm that. :ok:

I suggest that you post a similar enquiry here: http://www.canadianaviation.com/cgi-bin/forums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=1

In the interim, you can find a list of flying school websites here: http://www.pilotinterviews.com/TrainingListByCatAndRegion.asp?TrainingRegID=1&TrgType=FlightSchool#1

Finally, the COPA website has some good general information that may be of interest: http://www.copanational.org/

[Kulu]

Many thanks for that

[MLS-12D]

You're most welcome.

There are specific references to a couple of places in British Columbia (Victoria Flying Club, Pro-IFR) on this thread: http://www.canadianaviation.com/cgi-bin/forums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000556

[ChrisVJ]

Try Pro-IFR at Boundary Bay BC. Flying here is GREAT.

Flying here is very reasonable, mostly much less regulated (though just a little tight around Vancouver itself)

Licence is now 40 hrs (I think) most take between 40 and 50. Pstar exam (rules and regs) is a pain with 90% pass but do-able and you can download CARs online and do practice exams, ( I think they are at "Bomber Joes" Other exams are regular stuff with, I think 50 or 60% pass.

Why does government think the "rules' are more imortant than being able to fly safely?

Everything you need to know for other exams is in "From the ground up" book available from clubs

If you come to Vancouver come up to Pemberton, post here you are coming.

[Charlie Papa Lima]

I am currently training at Pacific Flying School, Vancouver, B.C. They are friendly, helpful and the fleet is quite large. The flying and scenery here is awesome. As to converting your licence, do you need to? You can fly in the UK in G registered aircraft as long as you follow some rules i.e. you cannot fly out of the UK FIR and others that are not too restrictive.
Pacific Flying School website is www.pacificflying.com and another helpful website about flying in the UK on a foreign licence is www.higherplane.flyer.co.uk
Hope this is of some help.