Floatplane lesson in Vancouver

[stalling attitude]

Heading over to Vancouver in July and would love to have a lesson starting from the Vancouver area where i could experience a mountain lake landing. Can anybody recommend a good school/ club in the Vancouver area? Many thanks.

[GROUNDHOG]

Not sure about who would give you a lesson but if you could get across to Tofino on Vancouver Island there are certainly flights available to land on mountain lakes, I did one with Atleo Air but quite a few floatplanes operate out of Tofino. We flew round the glacier, landed on a remote lake then out to sea and watched whales, an experience of a lifetime. Very sadly the pilot Damon York, a super chap was killed in a tragic accident not long after.

[Pilot DAR]

SA, a choice will be available at Pitt Meadows Airport, east of Vancouver:

Business | YPK Airport (http://flyypk.ca/business/)

I don't know of the present business there, it's been a while since I flew floats there. There was a Cessna 180 available from Fort Langley, though I think it was damaged, I have not heard if it's back in service. There will be other operators around too, though I would start at Pitt Meadows, as that airport is quite close to a few very pretty lakes.

This is Pitt Lake, about a ten minute flight from Pitt Meadows airport:

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_1245_cfbee67ef3887b9e4218b51b9f5d215e76557803.jpg

If you want a longer flight, fly out to Harrison Hot Springs for lunch.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_4172_41991585621ced90eef38ac0bb7c620dda9015c3.jpg

Note that operators will be unwilling to take you into remote higher altitude lakes, the floatplane performance is reduced. But, there are enough at lower altitudes to satisfy your desire for scenery.

[Mike Flynn]

You need to contact Mike Peare. He has been instructing there for years although winters in Thailand.

One of the best I know.

He will happily take you to all the lakes including Widgeon Lake below and teach you to splash down on floats.

Picture taken yesterday.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1072x725/2113gqoe05_jpeg_ef8023e5186ae26aaf9500bcf5f030d28cc3f39a.jpg

[PeterJG]

Visiting from UK I flew floatplane instruction from Tom Dryborough of Island Coastal Aviation at Pitt Meadows four years ago, and as a newcomer to floatplanes it was a fantastic experience with excellent instruction in a Cessna 172. An experienced and personable instructor, in an hour he covered landings and take-offs from both river and lake. I would highly recommend Island Coastal.

[Heliplane]

I did a floatplane rating with Fort Langley, not far from Vancouver. It was in 2011 or 2012 so I'm not sure if the same folks are there but I had a great time. I drove out from downtown Vancouver each day.

When I did it, I needed to get a Limited Term Pilot License (or something to that effect) from the Transport Canada office in downtown Vancouver. That was based off my foreign license and gave me Canadian privileges for 90 days. With that, I was able to add a floatplane rating, including the mandatory 5 solo takeoffs and landings. I haven't flown on floats since but I still remember the experience with great fondness and it taught me things I use elsewhere in aviation.

[India Four Two]

including the mandatory 5 solo takeoffs and landings

Which is one of the great advantages of a Canadian float rating. In the US, no solo flying is required, so no school will allow you to fly solo!

Widgeon Lake 2600’ ASL - been there, done that. One way in, one way out. Marvelous! :cool:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/745x540/5695f711_fee5_4bb2_b0cf_7f4b63987ad5_7b49f299d38b17f82812dfa 435aec223b0151627.jpeg


The approach path is over the outlet creek at the far end of the picture. Departure is the reverse of the approach.

[stalling attitude]

Many thanks everyone for the info. It looks stunning.

[India Four Two]

sa,

Another thing you might consider while in Vancouver is to fly Harbour Air from Vancouver harbour to Victoria harbour. The route takes you low over the scenic Gulf Islands. You might then consider taking the bus back to Vancouver, which will include taking BC Ferries through the Gulf Islands, including the spectacular Active Pass.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x347/ab4f4228_6bff_45f5_802d_acca6329e691_7cf143e9940b37e87e00812 82d24b993ed768cc0.jpeg
https://www.harbourair.com/


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/994x639/35f6aedd_3b5e_4b46_bb56_5d40668917ab_0fda94a892161c9c0f579d8 827d10250745bf571.jpeg

https://www.bcferries.com/travel_planning/bus_and_coach/#vi