Friendliest GA airfield around toronto
 

I am an Irish PPL with about 270hrs. I will be bringing my family to Toronto at the end of October, I will be staying in North York and would like to get up a couple of times on this trip with a view to coming back in the spring to rent a plane for a few days/week of flying.
I won't need to fly solo on this occasion so I will need a safety pilot/instructor to help me navigate this part of the world, as all my experience is European.
Ideally I am looking for a club with a C182 to rent as I will have another passenger or two to bring.
Weather permitting I would fly for a few hours each day, to find my way around the nicer fields in the area, one of my children wants me to fly her over Niagra Falls.

Hi Marcus, welcome to Canada. There are a number of friendly airfields around the Toronto area, though I'm not aware of any who have a 182, that's not so common. I can ask about a R172K I know of, which might be available at Parry Sound, though that's quite a trip from Toronto.

You will find Orillia Lake st John very friendly, with the added bonus of both wheels and float flying at the same airport. 1.5 hour drive north from North York, but an easy drive, and very pretty in the fall.

Lake Country Airways: floatplane training, endorsements, float charters and rentals

Brampton Flying Club is the busy Toronto area airport, with many people to meet. It would be convenient for a Niagara Falls flight. Bear in mind that there are very strict procedures for safety reasons over Niagara Falls, failure to adhere will get you in trouble.

https://www.bramptonflightcentre.com/

Toronto City Center airport is a busy place, but much more Dash 8 commercial than GA now.

Buttonville airport will be closest to where you will be staying, there are lots of GA services there, though things are slowing, as that airport is planned to close.

Oshawa and Peterborough are good choices to the east, though at least half and one hour drive respectively. Burlington and Waterloo similar distances to the west.

Late September into October is just magnificent to fly around here, the colours are spectacular. For a whole day flight, (probably 4-5 hours) consider flying right around Georgian Bay, with a lunch stop in Killarney. You'll a good part of Ontario.

In no particular order:
Island Air Flight School & Charters Inc. Home
Canadian Flyers Inc.
Toronto Airways - Flight Training
Canadian Flight Academy Ltd.
Durham Flight Centre - Flight Training School, Oshawa, Ontario.
http://www.bramptonflightcentre.com/
Home - Spectrum Airways
Your Journey Begins Here | Genesis Flight Centre

I'll try Brampton this time and see how we get on. I'll try flying Georgian Bay. You never know I might even try a floatplane next time I get over.

Many thanks for your help.

Brampton will be a good choice Marcus. Allow yourself an hour drive from North York, though you'll probably do it in 45 minutes.

I suggest you plan three outings there at least:

Go on your own to meet an instructor, do a briefing, and an hour or so familiarization flight, to get into the flow of things. If you get on well with that instructor, discuss your plans for two more flight with pax.

Thereafter, you can plan a Niagara Falls flight, allow three hours, though you can do it in less.

Then plan around Georgian Bay. Book the whole day with the plane, with a lunch stop in Killarney. You'll probably fly 4-5 hours, which should meet the daily minimum expectations.

Have fun!