fresh start. pls advise
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: nig
fresh start. pls advise
Hi all,
I intend to start my ppl by sep/oct this year, can someone pls advise me on which Canadian region has the best aviation weather around that period? i dont want to be grounded most of the time.
any advise will be highly apprecieted.
I intend to start my ppl by sep/oct this year, can someone pls advise me on which Canadian region has the best aviation weather around that period? i dont want to be grounded most of the time.
any advise will be highly apprecieted.
Joined: May 2010
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From: Ontario, Canada
I will second YWG. I taught at St Andrews Airport at Winnipeg Aviation, and the weather is great, close practice area, and the training cheap (10+ years ago mind you). The rent in YWG is also very affordable, as is car insurance. When you get to the multi IFR head to Perimeter and get it done fast, you might even land a job there.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: nig
Thank you all for your response. i ve been away for a while.
it seems like there are so many options to choose from but what about vancouver bc (proifr flight school)? how is the weather around sep/oct for ppl student? any advise is highly appreciated.
Thanks
it seems like there are so many options to choose from but what about vancouver bc (proifr flight school)? how is the weather around sep/oct for ppl student? any advise is highly appreciated.
Thanks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 213
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From: Great White North
Vancouver is a coastal city... with coastal weather... with mountains. Statistics: Vancouver Int´l, BC, Canada - The Weather Network
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: nig
mostly harmless, it seems there is alot of rain fall around oct/nov and thats when most of my training is going to take place. does it affects me and is coastal weather good for flying? if not,can u suggest another province?
thanx
thanx
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 213
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From: Great White North
The mountains of western Canada are dicey during the fall and summer, and certain areas can weather in for weeks at a time...
If you are going to fly in the fall (October/November) I would go anywhere in the Prairies. That's Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba. Sometimes cold, sometimes windy, but long stretches of clear skies and open airspace.
Check prices, and don't forget to add in the taxes... some provinces have Provincial Sales Tax on training, some don't.
If you are going to fly in the fall (October/November) I would go anywhere in the Prairies. That's Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba. Sometimes cold, sometimes windy, but long stretches of clear skies and open airspace.
Check prices, and don't forget to add in the taxes... some provinces have Provincial Sales Tax on training, some don't.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 213
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From: Great White North
If you mean Harv's Air, they have a good reputation but they are in the mountains. If you go there in the summer, you would get nice weather.
For winter flying... the whole valley is lake. kelowna - Google Maps
For winter flying... the whole valley is lake. kelowna - Google Maps
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Canada
hgm... I think i can help you!
First off Harv's Air is not in the mountains! They have a base in Steinbach, MB (1 hour south of Winnipeg) and one at St. Andrews, MB, about 30 mins from Winnipeg. It is flatter than most dinner tables! The school has been around for a while and I'm currently here in Steinbach. I'd definitely recommend the school, from the past 3 weeks I've been here it's been quite good.
Also, this is probably one of the best places for weather. There is something like 300 days of flying weather year round.
Regarding Vancouver area. I was born and raised there. I did all my training there, mostly in Abbotsford. There is going to be quite a bit of rain during the time you want to fly. The Lower mainland doesn't have nearly as much flying weather as in MB. If you were to stay in BC, I'd recommend ProVFR (ProIFR). John Montgomery is excellent and has great instructors. They are a reputable school, two of my brothers trained there. I did most of my training at Coastal Pacific Aviation in one of the university programs. They have good instructors and the training is quite good. It is a bit expensive but I'd say it's worth it for the training and reputation, especially if you plan on being a commercial pilot. Skyquest Aviation in Langley is also good. I know a few instructors there and they run a good operation and I believe competitively priced. Those are the flight schools I'd recommend. If you want info on some other school in the lower mainland or around BC let me know.
The reason I moved to MB to go to Harv's was that they were a reputable school and I believe as a new commercial pilot/instructor there is more opportunity out here... everyone wants to be in BC or Ontario but if you're willing to put up with cold winters and some mosquitoes then MB is the place to go to advance quickly.
If you're only planning on doing a PPL then moving to a different province might be unnecessary.
If you mean Harv's Air, they have a good reputation but they are in the mountains. If you go there in the summer, you would get nice weather.
Also, this is probably one of the best places for weather. There is something like 300 days of flying weather year round.
Regarding Vancouver area. I was born and raised there. I did all my training there, mostly in Abbotsford. There is going to be quite a bit of rain during the time you want to fly. The Lower mainland doesn't have nearly as much flying weather as in MB. If you were to stay in BC, I'd recommend ProVFR (ProIFR). John Montgomery is excellent and has great instructors. They are a reputable school, two of my brothers trained there. I did most of my training at Coastal Pacific Aviation in one of the university programs. They have good instructors and the training is quite good. It is a bit expensive but I'd say it's worth it for the training and reputation, especially if you plan on being a commercial pilot. Skyquest Aviation in Langley is also good. I know a few instructors there and they run a good operation and I believe competitively priced. Those are the flight schools I'd recommend. If you want info on some other school in the lower mainland or around BC let me know.
The reason I moved to MB to go to Harv's was that they were a reputable school and I believe as a new commercial pilot/instructor there is more opportunity out here... everyone wants to be in BC or Ontario but if you're willing to put up with cold winters and some mosquitoes then MB is the place to go to advance quickly.
If you're only planning on doing a PPL then moving to a different province might be unnecessary.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: nig
Thank you all. italia458 i wish u all the best.
coming from africa my only problem is the cold winter there, but harv's air looks more like the place,only that their payment policy is not pay as you go. pls do you have an idea about training in toronto or the weather there? am also considering canadian flyers in toronto. your response will be highly appreciated.
coming from africa my only problem is the cold winter there, but harv's air looks more like the place,only that their payment policy is not pay as you go. pls do you have an idea about training in toronto or the weather there? am also considering canadian flyers in toronto. your response will be highly appreciated.
Last edited by hgm; 8th July 2010 at 13:14.
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Canada
I'm doing pay as you go at Harv's right now. It kind of runs on an account basis. So I will put $2000 on account and then when that runs out, I add more. So it's usually good to have money already saved up.
Sorry I don't have much information on schools out in Ontario. Toronto is right by the Great Lakes so that stirs up a fair amount of water I believe. You'd probably have a bit more rain, and I know a few years back they had some pretty crazy ice storms.
Sorry I don't have much information on schools out in Ontario. Toronto is right by the Great Lakes so that stirs up a fair amount of water I believe. You'd probably have a bit more rain, and I know a few years back they had some pretty crazy ice storms.
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Vancouver Island
NEVER NEVER put money on account with any flight school.
Pay at the end of each flight and that will prevent you losing money.
NEVER ever pay one dollar on account, if the school puts pressure on you or offers a deal say no.
If they persist tell them to go f... them self and find another school.
Pay at the end of each flight and that will prevent you losing money.
NEVER ever pay one dollar on account, if the school puts pressure on you or offers a deal say no.
If they persist tell them to go f... them self and find another school.
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 381
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From: Canada
NEVER NEVER put money on account with any flight school.
Pay at the end of each flight and that will prevent you losing money.
NEVER ever pay one dollar on account, if the school puts pressure on you or offers a deal say no.
If they persist tell them to go f... them self and find another school.
Pay at the end of each flight and that will prevent you losing money.
NEVER ever pay one dollar on account, if the school puts pressure on you or offers a deal say no.
If they persist tell them to go f... them self and find another school.
Trust me, Harv's Air won't be going out of service anytime soon!
There is also protection for customers. Being 40 yrs later, I'm sorry but you're not going to get anything! You should have done something about it before. All my payments are put on with VISA or cheque, something that can be traced. If I do have a problem and they won't pay, there is something called a chargeback that the bank will force a repayment back to you. Also, small claims court is quite simple and if you keep your receipts and invoices you'll get your money back! These are all worst case scenarios and I've never had this experience or heard about it from other people I've run into.
It pretty much comes down to using your discretion. If I didn't feel comfortable putting money on account at a school, I would not do any training there.