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Calgary Schools?

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 4:23 am
by Kernal Klink
Anyone know of any good flight training schools in Calgary to upgrade to Multi-IFR ATPL?

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 8:28 am
by 200hr Wonder
Well as it happens Kernel I am doing the same research but for an instructor raiting.

I talked to the CFI at Morgan Air over at the international they have two Twin Commanchies, and he seemd very nice, and there equipment is quite good. The only caviet about flying out of hte International is there is a $20 per flight landing fee as opposed to Springbank which is Free.

Calgary Flying Club, seemed to be friendly and all though I really think they are more geared to the single engine PPL and Rental Pilot and not terrably interested in CPL or above. That was the opnion I got from the instructor working the front desk when I went in one day.

Later today I am heading out to Springbank to check one or two other FTUs out there and choose one, because I intend to start Tuesday LOL :)

LOL Wish me good luck :) and anyone who has anything to add would be greatly apprciated I have only been in town for three weeks and alot of this is based on hersay and conjector.

Cheers

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 10:02 am
by chipmunk
Springbank Air Training College has a great, varied fleet (and they just put an amphib Husky on line too) and their CFI is a great, enthusiastic instructor. Worth checking them out...

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 12:06 pm
by globaltrek
About three years ago, I did hear really good things about Peacock Aero (Springbank). Maybe someone else can confirm if this is true or not??

gt

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:21 pm
by truedude
Peacock Aero was bought and is now Fly Right! most likly some of the best multi IFR training you will get, but you should have a thick skin if you choose this school. Thats all I will say.

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:48 pm
by EyeOh
I would have to disaggree with truedude. Flyright in my experience was a place to avoid. Nutcase CFI. I personally was not impressed. Never heard a positive story about her, in fact I heard some downright dangerous ones.

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 3:22 pm
by DesertDawg
I renewed my IFR last winter with FlyRight and had no problems whatsover with the CFI. The twin was in good shape, mind you no HSI, she did say though that they had intentions of installing one at some point in time.

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 6:52 am
by Kernal Klink
Thanks boys... Just looking to get some training to get out of seasonal work and into something more *ahem* stable.... :wink:

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 8:45 am
by 200hr Wonder
Well, I just signed on with Morgan Air and start, I hope today with my Instructor Raiting, wish me luck :)

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:56 pm
by Wild Cat
Springbank Air Training College has a great, varied fleet (and they just put an amphib Husky on line too) and their CFI is a great, enthusiastic instructor. Worth checking them out...

Man their twin SUCKS..........
its so ugly ugly ugly

Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:06 pm
by lo flyer
Not to cast doubt on your descision 200hr Wonder, but I went in to Morgan Air looking for info. as well and they seemed very disorganized. I dug a little deeper and found that they have hired a new CFI and there top 2 instructors have both left all in the last month :shock: ....To Springbank I go!

Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:21 pm
by D5GRVTY
Hey Wild Cat, don't judge a book by it's cover. She may need a new coat of paint but the cougar is beautiful where it counts. :lol:

Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 1:55 pm
by happy_flyer
Yeah the Cougar may not be the prettiest plane, but it's easy to fly, and the price seems right ( $226/hour + instructor ? ). The guys at Sprinkbank ATC are top notch - I would recommend them to anyone. I have had nothing but good experiences with them.

Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 2:10 pm
by Wild Cat
your right man, the cougar is pretty where it counts, I once saw it years ago when I stopped by at that school. I think they moved by the way. but yes the cougar is a cougar, like a wild Cat.
about the ugly thing, that was just jokes. in my opinion, there is no such thing as an ugly plane(for reals dog).

Peace :wink:

Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:54 pm
by aero220
I would agree with True dude about Fly Rite. If you are looking to fly commercial charter it helps to be trained by someone who has charter experience (wich you will get at Fly Rite). I would just like to say it again that you should have a thick skin because it is hard training but you will get alot out of it (and they have a great plane).
The Calgary flying club offers an average rating, Instruction is not that great (for Instrument training) but they have a well equiped plane with a Sandel HSI wich is great.
Springbank Air training college has great instruction, but as stated earlier not the best looking aircraft. You will receive training from a great team of instructors who are not just looking for your money. I have yet had a chance to fly with their CFI but everything I have heard would lead me to beleive he is an exceptional instructor.
As far as training at the internatinal airport, The Calgary flight Training Center has recently got an aztec online, but everthing I have heard is that it not working out for them. A renewal here would probably the most expensive anywhere and be the worst training.
Morgan air as usual has a great reputation, charter knowlege, and fairly caring instructing staff. the only downside again is the high cost you will face.

So if I had to choose a school to do another renewal at, I would rank them (best to worst)

Springbank Air training College - Fly Rite - Morgan Air - Calgary Flying club- Calgary Flight training Center

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:29 am
by 200hr Wonder
lo flyer wrote:Not to cast doubt on your descision 200hr Wonder, but I went in to Morgan Air looking for info. as well and they seemed very disorganized. I dug a little deeper and found that they have hired a new CFI and there top 2 instructors have both left all in the last month :shock: ....To Springbank I go!
True they did just loose two of there top instructors to bigger and better things, though neither one was a class one. As for the new CFI, this is also true, but the old CFI is still with the company, he has just decided to remove himself from the CFI position because of time issues, so it is not like he is no longer with the company, he will be there to help with the transition to the new CFI, whom is very capable.... but at this point I am just defending my already made decision LOL...

Got my first ground briefing @ 1500 better warm up the ol CC :P

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 6:20 pm
by MRO
As far as training at the internatinal airport, The Calgary flight Training Center has recently got an aztec online, but everthing I have heard is that it not working out for them. A renewal here would probably the most expensive anywhere and be the worst training.


What makes you say that the training here would be the worst of them all?

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 7:12 pm
by shitdisturber
MRO wrote:As far as training at the internatinal airport, The Calgary flight Training Center has recently got an aztec online, but everthing I have heard is that it not working out for them. A renewal here would probably the most expensive anywhere and be the worst training.


What makes you say that the training here would be the worst of them all?
The Aztruck is keeping the maintenance department busy; they're good but you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. You're going to spend a lot of time waiting for it to fly with the resultant degredation of your skills.

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 7:38 pm
by MRO
dont all new planes especially twins go in and out of maintenance alot. My understanding is that it is up and running

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 8:37 pm
by shitdisturber
MRO wrote:dont all new planes especially twins go in and out of maintenance alot. My understanding is that it is up and running
Yup it's up and running, for now anyway; but if you'd seen the state it was in when it got to YYC you'd be calling the maintenance guys geniuses for getting it this far! But no, all new planes don't spend a lot of time in maintenance; just the ones that should have been left on the scrap heap they were rescued from. That being said, I would fly the thing; I've got quite a bit of respect for Dave's knowledge, but they'd have to pay me, a lot!