OK answering Cleartoland’s points, the reason why I emphasised on the Oriental student population is because Smallwing also comes from HK!!!! I tried to make him aware that he won’t feel isolated, in-fact part of a multi race student pilot community. BC prides in it’s diverse culture and so it should.. .. .The time I felt most isolated was when flying through Quebec. Talk about a Republican attitude!! If you did choose the East coast a knowledge of French aeronautical comms would be quite handy as most French-Canadian pilots insist on French RT and therefore can leave the English speaking pilot totally lost as to the others position and intentions. I know, as I had my closest Near-Miss whilst diverting due to poor Visibility in un-controlled airspace. Was established on downwind, making the calls, when this idiot nearly broadsided me. Yeah he was crossing mid field at or near circuit height!! The air ground advisory chappy apologised to me and said that all Transport Quebec pilots only speak French REGARDLESS when over the province of Quebec. I have to add that after we landed every one we met on the ground was really helpful and friendly. Also, when in controlled airspace, the Controllers are MAGNIFICENT with there ability to switch excellently between the two languages while giving position reports in English & French.. .. .OK RANT over …errr…may be not…… Yes there are times when the temperatures can and do drop to high minus numbers and thereby giving your little 152 rocketship performance but please don’t think that all of Canada is full of Igloos and Innuit’s (for those wondering it is the new politically correct term for Eskimo). These temperatures will never happen in lower and central BC due to the warm Pacific Air & other reasons, Toronto can have +30 in the summer. 2000/2001 winter was very very harsh in New Brunswick/ Nova Scotia and even Toronto/Ottawa area’s. Many flight schools in those regions actually shutdown. If you don’t believe me ask SpinSpinSugar, his instructor was from around there. We had quite a lot of Instructors coming over looking for work in Boundary Bay. Yes BC has quite a harsh winter too but it is at least good enough for IFR and can give you great actual IMC experience. Something to consider when doing the Instrument Rating……. .. .I will also have to disagree with Cleartoland on the conversion aspect (this is not personal, honest!) I still say that my whole flight training costs including conversion will be cheaper than the lowest UK price. Cost of living in Canada is next to nothing when compared to here, what you earn as an Instructor becomes more or less tax free, your IFR will be discounted if your already working for the school as a VFR instructor and at the end of the day you have two different licences making you even more marketable. When Canada3000 went down the first pilot to get himself off the unemployed pool was an ex-pat brit on the strength of his CAA licence, flying a Challenger out of the Sand Pit! He also has an FAA ATP and is in the process of completing his MSc in Air Transport Management with City University in London. This fella is obviously a Hound for knowledge but the moral of the story is you can never be over qualified in this game. I know I digressed a wee bit but, Cleartoland, with regard to the Conversion, CPL will only need some local procedural training prior to test, the Instructor Rating only needs 15hrs A/C and 30hrs Ground prior to test. However the IR and the ATPL theory course are a whole different stinking fish with regards to cost and hour requirements. You shouldn’t really have too much bother with the ground and flying exams as Canada would have given you a decent start and also as you should have close to a 1000hrs of experience by then……. .. .I would say if you like the East then MFC would be good for you Cleartoland.. .. .Smallwing, a phone call to the Vancouver Transport Canada office should give you the exact requirements for FAA to Canadian PPL. I really don’t think it’s much though….. .. .SpinSpinSugar, good to see you around! I sent you some Av Jokes by e-mail couple of weeks ago… did you get them mate?. .. .Must go as this post has become huge and I must dive back in to my massive pile of JAA notes…… alas no rest for the wicked!! . .. .Oh Canada……