Flying in Canada
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Flying in Canada
I'll be trotting off to the Big Country(As Canada is called by Scots who emigrated there in the 18th/19th centuries) for my hols in September. I'm hoping to do a bit flying around the Toronto/Lake Ontario/Niagara area while I'm there. Now obviously I'll be looking at this in greater detail later on, but I was wondering if there are any other UK PPL holders out there who have flying experience in this part of the world. Any advice on administration would be greatly appreciated.
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Take your licence, logbook and medical to the local transport canada aviation office and they will issue you a Canadian licence valid for one year on the spot. All ratings are on the underlying licence are valid with nothing else to do. Even Instrument ratings (not IMC).
No flight test or BFR etc. Although any renting club will probably want a check out.
No flight test or BFR etc. Although any renting club will probably want a check out.
Pompey till I die
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As Bose says
I've recently just done this In some ways it's pretty cool that you are then legal to go and take a plane out but there were a few things to note:
1. As everything NA there seems to be far, far, far more C172s available to rent than PA28s. If you can convert before getting there then great
2. Price is good, but not as good as the states. I hired a C172 + instructor for £100ph. I went to another airport were rental was £70ph (St Catherines)
3. RT was different. I made the calls but things that were noticable:
3.1 Callsign shortening C-ABCD is shortened as BCD
3.2 You don't seem to need to tell stations you are leaving them
3.3 Ground station call signs didn't appear to indicate service provided
3.4 Pilots don't shy away from being verbose. Discussion of lunch options seemed completely acceptable
4. Toronto, with the large lake nearby, is very windy and air was bumpy. Not necessarily a problem, might just have been the day I was flying. Flying pax was uneasy in the aircraft
5. No landing fees! Over fly Pearson international airport, orbit the CN tower!!!! Flying as it should be.
6. Areas around Niagra seemed to have an "unofficial" name for routing and I felt that the airspace had sort of unwritten rules about heights and clearences etc. I didn't study the aviation chart closely enough to check.
7. You have to carry an "interception" check list with you!!! Not sure how often if happens there, perhaps with being close to US airspace it's a possibility. Note that flying to the US, from Canada, also requires a visa issued before travel (I'm presuming that you are a UK passport holder)
I flew with these guys http://www.flyislandair.net/ who were based really close to down town Toronto (was a 20min ride from downtown Sheraton to airfield)
I was going to fly with these guys http://www.stcatharinesflyingclub.com/ because they also rented out PA28s (£70GBP/hour) as well as the ubiquitous C172. They are a bit to far out of Toronto (1h 20min drive) but if you are heading towards Niagra way then they may suit better.
1. As everything NA there seems to be far, far, far more C172s available to rent than PA28s. If you can convert before getting there then great
2. Price is good, but not as good as the states. I hired a C172 + instructor for £100ph. I went to another airport were rental was £70ph (St Catherines)
3. RT was different. I made the calls but things that were noticable:
3.1 Callsign shortening C-ABCD is shortened as BCD
3.2 You don't seem to need to tell stations you are leaving them
3.3 Ground station call signs didn't appear to indicate service provided
3.4 Pilots don't shy away from being verbose. Discussion of lunch options seemed completely acceptable
4. Toronto, with the large lake nearby, is very windy and air was bumpy. Not necessarily a problem, might just have been the day I was flying. Flying pax was uneasy in the aircraft
5. No landing fees! Over fly Pearson international airport, orbit the CN tower!!!! Flying as it should be.
6. Areas around Niagra seemed to have an "unofficial" name for routing and I felt that the airspace had sort of unwritten rules about heights and clearences etc. I didn't study the aviation chart closely enough to check.
7. You have to carry an "interception" check list with you!!! Not sure how often if happens there, perhaps with being close to US airspace it's a possibility. Note that flying to the US, from Canada, also requires a visa issued before travel (I'm presuming that you are a UK passport holder)
I flew with these guys http://www.flyislandair.net/ who were based really close to down town Toronto (was a 20min ride from downtown Sheraton to airfield)
I was going to fly with these guys http://www.stcatharinesflyingclub.com/ because they also rented out PA28s (£70GBP/hour) as well as the ubiquitous C172. They are a bit to far out of Toronto (1h 20min drive) but if you are heading towards Niagra way then they may suit better.
Last edited by PompeyPaul; 8th May 2008 at 11:48.
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I went to Canada for a flying holiday in June 2006 and didn't even need to turn up at a Transport Canada office. You can contact them on the internet and fax them a copy of your licence and medical, plus your credit card no. and the application form duly filled in (found on the website). Within a week I received a Transport Canada PPL valid for one year. Cost about 40 loonies (as the CAN$ is called by locals). Also, there is no visa requirement for UE passport holders.
Once there, I did a local area check-out like in any aeroclub over here, then was let out on my own for 4-5 hr nav flights!
Aircraft rates were 50% of those in the UK, and there were very few landing fees and no PPR. But it's not only the flying - the country's unbelievable!
Cheers
Once there, I did a local area check-out like in any aeroclub over here, then was let out on my own for 4-5 hr nav flights!
Aircraft rates were 50% of those in the UK, and there were very few landing fees and no PPR. But it's not only the flying - the country's unbelievable!
Cheers
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Thanks everyone for the replies, I think that pretty much covers everything. I'm about to do some differences training at Fife on the C172, as yes it's common as muck and you can find them anywhere. Ironically enough I did all my training at Cumbernauld on Katanas and I don't think they're in short supply there as one of the Diamond Factories is over there.
Just need to make a few calls/send a few emails to sort it all out, and of course study the half mil Toronto VFR chart.
As far as RT is concerned, I'm surprised they're so relaxed. And flying round the CN tower??? Try that in the Big Apple!
Think I'll stick to the way I've been trained with RT with the expception of the abbreviated call signs.
Cheers folks.
Just need to make a few calls/send a few emails to sort it all out, and of course study the half mil Toronto VFR chart.
As far as RT is concerned, I'm surprised they're so relaxed. And flying round the CN tower??? Try that in the Big Apple!
Think I'll stick to the way I've been trained with RT with the expception of the abbreviated call signs.
Cheers folks.
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You will love the flying here in Canada, if I may I’ll make a few recommendations.
- If you are going to make most of your flying I would get your hands on a CFS (Canadian Flight Supplement). It has all the information you’ll need about the airspace (such as downtown Toronto and Niagra falls sight seeing routs), airports, flight planning and those intercept orders mentioned above are on the last page.
http://www.navcanada.ca/NavCanada.as...FS/default.xml
-Consider getting a Toronto VNC and start making some plans as to where to go. My personal recommendations would be to make a day trip east to the 1000 Islands located at the mouth of the St Laurance river. Another must see would be the Muskoka area 100 miles north of Toronto just to see the edge of what Canada really looks like. Some of the most beautiful wilderness around.
-As mentioned above about the radio communication here is slightly different from what your used to in UK. The majority of small airfields don’t have operating control tower, rather a unicom that will likely only give you a generalized airfield advisory something like. “C-FACB this is Tillsongburg unicom the wind is out of the west at 10 knots, active runway 25, traffic is 2 Harvard trainers in the area”. Communication with any control towers similar to that in the UK with a few exceptions. Altimeter settings, call sign, VFR transponder code is 1200, altitude is always ASL, rather then “flight information service” you should ask for “VFR flight following”.
- mentioned above was that “Discussion of lunch options” was acceptable. This is certainly not the case unless they were using 123.45. Please feel free to let them know.
- If you are going to make most of your flying I would get your hands on a CFS (Canadian Flight Supplement). It has all the information you’ll need about the airspace (such as downtown Toronto and Niagra falls sight seeing routs), airports, flight planning and those intercept orders mentioned above are on the last page.
http://www.navcanada.ca/NavCanada.as...FS/default.xml
-Consider getting a Toronto VNC and start making some plans as to where to go. My personal recommendations would be to make a day trip east to the 1000 Islands located at the mouth of the St Laurance river. Another must see would be the Muskoka area 100 miles north of Toronto just to see the edge of what Canada really looks like. Some of the most beautiful wilderness around.
-As mentioned above about the radio communication here is slightly different from what your used to in UK. The majority of small airfields don’t have operating control tower, rather a unicom that will likely only give you a generalized airfield advisory something like. “C-FACB this is Tillsongburg unicom the wind is out of the west at 10 knots, active runway 25, traffic is 2 Harvard trainers in the area”. Communication with any control towers similar to that in the UK with a few exceptions. Altimeter settings, call sign, VFR transponder code is 1200, altitude is always ASL, rather then “flight information service” you should ask for “VFR flight following”.
- mentioned above was that “Discussion of lunch options” was acceptable. This is certainly not the case unless they were using 123.45. Please feel free to let them know.
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City center ,the airport by the CN tower has Landing fees around 12$ I think. You also can't fly over Pearson, the airspace around Toronto is quite congested with so many airports around. For other airports that you might want to fly to have a look here: http://www.copanational.org/PlacesTo...ex.php?pr_id=1
SR
SR
If you're landing at YYZ, stop by Aviation World to pick up a Canada Flight Supplement and local chart -- Toronto VNC and/or VTA
They have fair prices and are adjacent to the airport.
http://www.aviationworld.net
They have fair prices and are adjacent to the airport.
http://www.aviationworld.net
I_reason beat me to it. I was going to post the same advice about the CFS and Niagara Falls, but the servers were down.
However I'll also add that you should review the TC AIM (online or PDF) http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/pu...14371/menu.htm
Even if you are not going to Canada, TC has some excellent publications and videos of interest to all pilots: http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Publications/menu.htm
And with regard to RT, unless things have changed in the last couple of years, you will not hear "Pass your message".
However I'll also add that you should review the TC AIM (online or PDF) http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/pu...14371/menu.htm
Even if you are not going to Canada, TC has some excellent publications and videos of interest to all pilots: http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Publications/menu.htm
And with regard to RT, unless things have changed in the last couple of years, you will not hear "Pass your message".
Pompey till I die
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Funny
You also can't fly over Pearson
“Discussion of lunch options” was acceptable. This is certainly not the case unless they were using 123.45. Please feel free to let them know.
Still sent shivers down my spine changing frequency without informing the station. Two things in aviation above all else that were drilled in over and over again. As soon as you hear that stall warner it's nose down and full power, and you NEVER change frequency without informing the station
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Changing stations without informing the station your leaving is due to the amount of space between the stations. If you were to be passed off by Toronto Buttonville, and told to Contact City Center you should do so just as you would anywhere. The difference is when you are leaving a place like Thunderbay, London, Dryden or Elliot lake. The next ATC that you speak to may be 20-300 miles away with NO radio communications required for the next hour or two. For that reason when you clear a 5 mile control zone, you may chose to stay on the frequency for another 20 miles. The controller may pass on traffic to you long after you have cleared his/her airspace. Feel free to inform any unicom or ATC station that you are leaving the frequency.
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Thanks to everyone for the time and effort given to my thread, I'm checked out on the C172 now and ready to rock!
Only thing I'm wondering about though is travel insurance. I've spoken to a couple of insurance providers who say they won't cover me for this type of activity. Was wondering if anyone could recommend someone for travel insurance with the nessessary cover.
I'm only going there 'cos I'm a big Rush fan.
Only thing I'm wondering about though is travel insurance. I've spoken to a couple of insurance providers who say they won't cover me for this type of activity. Was wondering if anyone could recommend someone for travel insurance with the nessessary cover.
I'm only going there 'cos I'm a big Rush fan.
American Express gave me annual travel cover to include flying light aircraft, for many years, but had an age limit of 65. I arranged cover through the people who insure our gtoup aircraft now I'm out of their limit.
If your over 65, try Hayward Aviation 0207 902 7800.
If your over 65, try Hayward Aviation 0207 902 7800.
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I flew with these guys Island Air Flight School & Charters who were based really close to down town Toronto (was a 20min ride from downtown Sheraton to airfield)
1) make doubly sure that they understand that if you turn up with a TC validation and all your valid UK documents, you do not need any other paperwork such as a Canadian medical
2) make sure you speak to someone who knows what they're talking about, not one of the spotty 18 year olds on the desk whose only interest is their own progress towards their first airline job
3) when you've jumped through their endless changing goalposts and you've finally been allowed to book an aircraft to take away solo, make doubly sure that the aircraft you've been allocated is (a) insured to go to wherever you're going and (b) isn't allocated to go into maintenance that day.
I wasted many hours and several hundred quid with these people. Such a shame, cos it's a great place and the flying is great fun.
NS
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I sort of agree
I wasted many hours and several hundred quid with these people. Such a shame, cos it's a great place and the flying is great fun.
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Wrathchild666,
There are other options for your flying enjoyment, in the Toronto area. It depends upon where you stay, and how you're getting around.
A good idea would be to drive north out of Toronto, and rent a plane, and fly further north. An hour of driving + hour of flying = really beautiful scenery.
Though caring, some of the information offered to here is not entirely correct. In particular, Niagara falls area has many restrictions. Unless you're staying in St. Catherines, your flying dollar can be spent very well seeing other Ontario scenery. That being said, as long as you're not flying close to Toronto International Airport (which is a boring part of the city anyway), flying is pretty free and easy.
Though I am not an expert on the licensing aspects (it is easily learned by enquiry at Transport Canada), I can offer some other helpful suggestions if you like. Feel free to PM me.
Ontario will offer you excellent flying opportunities, and generally very good weather. During my two week stay in Edinburgh, I never did get the conditions required to go flying, so I gave up!
By the way, Yes, Pipers are excellent planes, though Cessnas are much more common. One of the reasons is the Piper wingtips can be rather challenged by winter snowbanks. Cessna wing pass over them!
Cheers Pilot DAR
There are other options for your flying enjoyment, in the Toronto area. It depends upon where you stay, and how you're getting around.
A good idea would be to drive north out of Toronto, and rent a plane, and fly further north. An hour of driving + hour of flying = really beautiful scenery.
Though caring, some of the information offered to here is not entirely correct. In particular, Niagara falls area has many restrictions. Unless you're staying in St. Catherines, your flying dollar can be spent very well seeing other Ontario scenery. That being said, as long as you're not flying close to Toronto International Airport (which is a boring part of the city anyway), flying is pretty free and easy.
Though I am not an expert on the licensing aspects (it is easily learned by enquiry at Transport Canada), I can offer some other helpful suggestions if you like. Feel free to PM me.
Ontario will offer you excellent flying opportunities, and generally very good weather. During my two week stay in Edinburgh, I never did get the conditions required to go flying, so I gave up!
By the way, Yes, Pipers are excellent planes, though Cessnas are much more common. One of the reasons is the Piper wingtips can be rather challenged by winter snowbanks. Cessna wing pass over them!
Cheers Pilot DAR
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First post here but longtime lurker.
I'm visiting Vancouver in September so am considering applying for an FLVC. Is it sufficient to fax the info off to TC or do they require the parallel form (and fee) to the CAA as the US do?
Many thanks
I'm visiting Vancouver in September so am considering applying for an FLVC. Is it sufficient to fax the info off to TC or do they require the parallel form (and fee) to the CAA as the US do?
Many thanks
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You could either do a 10 sec Google search and get this Transport Canada - Ontario Region, Civil Aviation, General Aviation or you could look at the many previous threads on here. All of which will largely give you the same info.
It is very straight forward and can be done in advance or by simply walking into a Transport Canada office with the money and docs in your hand.
It is very straight forward and can be done in advance or by simply walking into a Transport Canada office with the money and docs in your hand.