Hour Building (Canada)
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: UK
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Canada Success
Hi All,
Back in October I posted stuff about my move to Canada to complete my CPL and Instructor rating. Well its all done and work permit in hand - so it can be done!!
Don't let the nay sayers grind you down!!!
Working at a school in BC right next to the Rockies so if anyone is looking to Canada for flight training or licenses then please feel free to PM me and I'll supply all the info you want.
Top tip for all concerned - If you want to hour build or go for a licence, don't go for the US. Its cheaper and easier (paperwork wise) in Canada!!!!
Cheers all & best of luck
Back in October I posted stuff about my move to Canada to complete my CPL and Instructor rating. Well its all done and work permit in hand - so it can be done!!
Don't let the nay sayers grind you down!!!
Working at a school in BC right next to the Rockies so if anyone is looking to Canada for flight training or licenses then please feel free to PM me and I'll supply all the info you want.
Top tip for all concerned - If you want to hour build or go for a licence, don't go for the US. Its cheaper and easier (paperwork wise) in Canada!!!!
Cheers all & best of luck
Well done grundog,
I'm thinking of visiting Canada for some 'serious' hour building.
How about the weather in Canada? I'm 'all for' a bit of unpredictable weather but is it usually good enough to fly fairly regularly?
I'm thinking of visiting Canada for some 'serious' hour building.
Top tip for all concerned - If you want to hour build or go for a licence, don't go for the US. Its cheaper and easier (paperwork wise) in Canada!!!!
www.harvsair.com
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Canada
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Weather in Canada
The best weather in Canada in in the praries, the worst weather is by the coast. When the weather is cold, it's clear.
We have about 320 VFR days a year.
We have about 320 VFR days a year.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: UK
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Weather
Hey all,
Thanks for the nice PMs I got from alot of people.
As for the weather Pitts2b is quite right (as he normally is), the prairies are normally good but incredibly cold in the Winter. East and West coasts can be pretty ropey at certain times of the year.
Here in BC on the East side of the Rockies we have just had an excellent Summer. The winters are also cold and yes just like the prairies its snow alot. At least in BC you can dig out the skis and hit the slopes on a down day
School details available at www.gnfs.ca. Cx out the new Diamond C1 Evolution arriving this week!!
Any more questions, just fire away.
Thanks for the nice PMs I got from alot of people.
As for the weather Pitts2b is quite right (as he normally is), the prairies are normally good but incredibly cold in the Winter. East and West coasts can be pretty ropey at certain times of the year.
Here in BC on the East side of the Rockies we have just had an excellent Summer. The winters are also cold and yes just like the prairies its snow alot. At least in BC you can dig out the skis and hit the slopes on a down day
School details available at www.gnfs.ca. Cx out the new Diamond C1 Evolution arriving this week!!
Any more questions, just fire away.
Nice one ehh !!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: UK
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Hour Building in Canada
Hi all,
As anyone got any experience of hour building in Canada? Whats it like? How does it compare with the US? Would you recommend it over the US?
Thanks in advance
E
As anyone got any experience of hour building in Canada? Whats it like? How does it compare with the US? Would you recommend it over the US?
Thanks in advance
E
Join Date: Jun 2002
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Eyupp eyuppp
Guess youre a Yorkshire Lad??
I have intensions of going to Canada to hour build as I have family there and accommodation is free
I have not looked into it too far yet but can I suggest you place this question on the Canada forum aswell?
Or on one of the Canadian specific web sites? The more the merrier
Enjoy
YYZ
Guess youre a Yorkshire Lad??
I have intensions of going to Canada to hour build as I have family there and accommodation is free
I have not looked into it too far yet but can I suggest you place this question on the Canada forum aswell?
Or on one of the Canadian specific web sites? The more the merrier
Enjoy
YYZ
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: UK
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Eyuppp YYZ 
Aye, I am (from nr Skipton originally)
I see from you're profile you're based in Leeds. Do you fly out of Leeds/Bradford? I've got a friend who lives out in Canada, so it might save a bit on accomodation (more flying) so similar situation to you with family out there. Where are they based? I was thinking of round Ottawa, haven't researched it much yet (as you can probably tell 
)
Out of interest, I haven't started ATPL studies yet, but who are you doing your course with?
Good luck with the ATPL
E
Aye, I am (from nr Skipton originally)
I see from you're profile you're based in Leeds. Do you fly out of Leeds/Bradford? I've got a friend who lives out in Canada, so it might save a bit on accomodation (more flying)
so similar situation to you with family out there. Where are they based? I was thinking of round Ottawa, haven't researched it much yet (as you can probably tell )Out of interest, I haven't started ATPL studies yet, but who are you doing your course with?
Good luck with the ATPL
E
Join Date: Oct 1999
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hour building in US/Canada
Ive got 70 hours to pile up before i start the CPL course and was wondering if any of you guys had any experience of flight school in Ontario, Ca you could recommend?
Ive never been stateside and dont have any idea on the living costs etc so if someone can give a rough idea as to how much i should budget for living costs and accomodation for a 2/3 weeks stay id be grateful.
im looking for something reasonably cheapy.
thanks
Ive never been stateside and dont have any idea on the living costs etc so if someone can give a rough idea as to how much i should budget for living costs and accomodation for a 2/3 weeks stay id be grateful.
im looking for something reasonably cheapy.
thanks
Join Date: Oct 1999
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anyone done/doing/gonnado hour building in canada?
can anyone give me some tips on the whole canadian flying expeience. im about to make my first trip over there to clock some hours up before my CPL.
i havent decided which school im going to yet but would like to hang about in the toronto area so again if anyone can recommend any schools there it'd help me greatly.
hour much shoudl i looking at for a 70 hour block rate on a 172/PA28?
if anyones going there soon, pls PM me.
Thanks
i havent decided which school im going to yet but would like to hang about in the toronto area so again if anyone can recommend any schools there it'd help me greatly.
hour much shoudl i looking at for a 70 hour block rate on a 172/PA28?
if anyones going there soon, pls PM me.
Thanks
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Hi mate,
was looking into this a while back but never got round to it.
Try a google search on Waterloo-Kitchener Airport
and Brampton Flight Center.
Both of these in close proximity to YYZ.
Due to favourable exchange rates for us brits the flying over there is about half the cost! (1 CA$ = 0.5 GB£)
Also worth lookin at is the Transport Canada website and the Canada forum here on PPRuNe.
Good luck, let us know what you find out.
Cheers, Tri
was looking into this a while back but never got round to it.
Try a google search on Waterloo-Kitchener Airport
and Brampton Flight Center.
Both of these in close proximity to YYZ.
Due to favourable exchange rates for us brits the flying over there is about half the cost! (1 CA$ = 0.5 GB£)
Also worth lookin at is the Transport Canada website and the Canada forum here on PPRuNe.
Good luck, let us know what you find out.
Cheers, Tri
Join Date: Jun 2002
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Try a google search on Waterloo-Kitchener Airport, Both of these in close proximity to YYZ.
WHERE I have been told before these two are near me but i keep turning around and nothing, Im confused....
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Manchester
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Hey as you can see from my profile i Moved out to Toronto to learn how to fly and ended up instructing over there up untill last August. I did all my flying out of the island airport, and although its more expensive than Brampton etc the view is great!! But bear in mind that you have to pay for parking and the ferry, which was about $5 when i left. It does get very busy there too which you might like because it keeps you on your toes. And then there is the girl at shell........
Pm me if you want to know more, anybody...
Pm me if you want to know more, anybody...
Join Date: Mar 2003
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hourbuilding canada
hi there,
I am hoping to head out to somewhere in canada very shortly (possibly beginning sept) to do another 100 hours or so before I start my canadian CPL/IR. Have you decided on a school yet ? Do you know what the weather will be like around that time of year ?
One more question - if you have a JAA PPL, what is the procedure for converting to a canadian one ?
Thanks and best of luck for your hourbuilding !
dj
I am hoping to head out to somewhere in canada very shortly (possibly beginning sept) to do another 100 hours or so before I start my canadian CPL/IR. Have you decided on a school yet ? Do you know what the weather will be like around that time of year ?
One more question - if you have a JAA PPL, what is the procedure for converting to a canadian one ?
Thanks and best of luck for your hourbuilding !
dj
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: London, England
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Hey Dan I think I met you there a while back. You probably don't remember me, but I was an English guy over there asking about CPL conversions etc. Good to hear you got all your licenses ( I think you were still training when I was there).
I did loads of hour building out in Southern Ontario last year. I can recommend every one of the establishments that I used.
A huge thank you would go to the people at Peninsulair who I can't recommend highly enough, in particular to Jamie (instructor) who took me under his wing and helped me to get ready for my commercial exam often without charge. These guys are based in Hamilton airport which is a great training airfield because although it is fully instrument equipped, GA doesn't pay for using the facilities. They're rates for hire were something in the region of 70CAD per hour which I think translates to about £30 and this was for the cherokee. I was flying in winter time and the ground staff were always out there with the aircraft, towing them on to the apron and getting the jet heaters plugged in ready for you to start. Charming people the canucks! This field is about 1hr from TO city centre.
Next place I used was St Thomas flight centre. I wanted to do twin hour building as well and using their apache I logged 20 hours P1 at a rate of about 180CAD per hour which again is fantastic value for money. It so happens that I did the most challenging flight of my life in this aircraft Single Pilot Multi Engine IFR (in actual IMC conditions) to a remote airfield in lake country.
Last place I used was Sudbury Aviation. I actually went there to get a float rating and again commend them for their professionalism and expertise. This was a real learning curve for me but I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.
My tips are these:
1.I don't know your experience levels, but if you can get your multi rating renewed before you get out there. If its on your JAA license then it will be added to your permit over there meaning you can take advantage of the outrageously cheap hire costs and get hours that you would never be able to afford in the UK.
2.I found Canada to be a very officious country. If you can get your paperwork done before you go you will save yourself a lot of time and trips to the Transport Canada offices. The transport canada website is a great place to start.
3.Make sure you challenge yourself whilst hourbuilding there. There is an awful lot of open space and it can be quite tempting to just avoid the controlled airspace. During my trip over, I landed at Ottawa International, Rochester New York, Windsor and so on. These airports are comparable to say Luton, Stanstead, Birmingham and London City. Great practice and experience to bring with you on your commercial course.
4.Less of a tip and more of a commentary.... I found that Canadians have a very practical approach to flying in order to cater for the fact that so many people are pilots out of necessity. They deal with all sorts of weather conditions (very cold minus 20degrees was common when I was there), they fly all manor of aircraft (float, ski, amphibious) in all kinds of roles - crop spraying, pipeline surveys, forest firefighting, search and rescue, mountain flying, med supplies, hunting trips etc. An example of a pilot over there... I met a guy whilst doing my float rating. He flies out in his DH float beaver once a week on average to catch himself a moose (or whatever's in season I guess) that he brings back and sells to the local butcher. I saw him with my own eyes pulling a carcus out of the plane with disbelief. He does his own maintenance and he was telling me at the time that he was bringing the plane in to get the skis put on for winter. You can't help but find these guys inspiring. What they don't know about aviation isn't worth knowing and you'll love the stories they have to tell.
PM me if there's anything I can help you with.
Cheers and good luck.
FS
I did loads of hour building out in Southern Ontario last year. I can recommend every one of the establishments that I used.
A huge thank you would go to the people at Peninsulair who I can't recommend highly enough, in particular to Jamie (instructor) who took me under his wing and helped me to get ready for my commercial exam often without charge. These guys are based in Hamilton airport which is a great training airfield because although it is fully instrument equipped, GA doesn't pay for using the facilities. They're rates for hire were something in the region of 70CAD per hour which I think translates to about £30 and this was for the cherokee. I was flying in winter time and the ground staff were always out there with the aircraft, towing them on to the apron and getting the jet heaters plugged in ready for you to start. Charming people the canucks! This field is about 1hr from TO city centre.
Next place I used was St Thomas flight centre. I wanted to do twin hour building as well and using their apache I logged 20 hours P1 at a rate of about 180CAD per hour which again is fantastic value for money. It so happens that I did the most challenging flight of my life in this aircraft Single Pilot Multi Engine IFR (in actual IMC conditions) to a remote airfield in lake country.
Last place I used was Sudbury Aviation. I actually went there to get a float rating and again commend them for their professionalism and expertise. This was a real learning curve for me but I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.
My tips are these:
1.I don't know your experience levels, but if you can get your multi rating renewed before you get out there. If its on your JAA license then it will be added to your permit over there meaning you can take advantage of the outrageously cheap hire costs and get hours that you would never be able to afford in the UK.
2.I found Canada to be a very officious country. If you can get your paperwork done before you go you will save yourself a lot of time and trips to the Transport Canada offices. The transport canada website is a great place to start.
3.Make sure you challenge yourself whilst hourbuilding there. There is an awful lot of open space and it can be quite tempting to just avoid the controlled airspace. During my trip over, I landed at Ottawa International, Rochester New York, Windsor and so on. These airports are comparable to say Luton, Stanstead, Birmingham and London City. Great practice and experience to bring with you on your commercial course.
4.Less of a tip and more of a commentary.... I found that Canadians have a very practical approach to flying in order to cater for the fact that so many people are pilots out of necessity. They deal with all sorts of weather conditions (very cold minus 20degrees was common when I was there), they fly all manor of aircraft (float, ski, amphibious) in all kinds of roles - crop spraying, pipeline surveys, forest firefighting, search and rescue, mountain flying, med supplies, hunting trips etc. An example of a pilot over there... I met a guy whilst doing my float rating. He flies out in his DH float beaver once a week on average to catch himself a moose (or whatever's in season I guess) that he brings back and sells to the local butcher. I saw him with my own eyes pulling a carcus out of the plane with disbelief. He does his own maintenance and he was telling me at the time that he was bringing the plane in to get the skis put on for winter. You can't help but find these guys inspiring. What they don't know about aviation isn't worth knowing and you'll love the stories they have to tell.
PM me if there's anything I can help you with.
Cheers and good luck.
FS
Join Date: Jun 2004
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FlyingSpaniard
I can agree with you about pulling out a dead moose from a dehavilland beaver as I have done this myself several times whilst flying floats in northern Canada.
Chintito
As for hour building in Ontario there are a lot of options. Most school charge a relatively same rate for aircraft rentals. Near the Toronto area I would recommed Spectrum Airways out of Burlington. You don't have to pay a membership to rent airplanes contrary to other flight schools. They don't have many airplanes but the people are nice and it's not too busy at the uncontrolled airport. here is the link http://www.spectrumairways.com I think the rental rate for a C-172 is about $120 Canadian.
Have a good time in Canada it's a great place but bring some warm clothes for the upcoming winter
I can agree with you about pulling out a dead moose from a dehavilland beaver as I have done this myself several times whilst flying floats in northern Canada.
Chintito
As for hour building in Ontario there are a lot of options. Most school charge a relatively same rate for aircraft rentals. Near the Toronto area I would recommed Spectrum Airways out of Burlington. You don't have to pay a membership to rent airplanes contrary to other flight schools. They don't have many airplanes but the people are nice and it's not too busy at the uncontrolled airport. here is the link http://www.spectrumairways.com I think the rental rate for a C-172 is about $120 Canadian.
Have a good time in Canada it's a great place but bring some warm clothes for the upcoming winter
Join Date: Feb 2001
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hour building canada jan
Hi Guys!
Looking to head out to Canada in mid Jan 05 to build a few hours and just have fun flying. Not sure where...but thinking of Harvs air. Would love to do a few cross country trips..like fly to Vancouver..know it will be cold but should be different. Would be great to hear from any one who would be interested in some thing similar?
My mail is [email protected].
Cheers
A
Looking to head out to Canada in mid Jan 05 to build a few hours and just have fun flying. Not sure where...but thinking of Harvs air. Would love to do a few cross country trips..like fly to Vancouver..know it will be cold but should be different. Would be great to hear from any one who would be interested in some thing similar?
My mail is [email protected].
Cheers
A