How the hell do people train in the GTA?

[gtapilot]

The last few years in the GTA have been hell for training! I remember as far back as 2019 there were wait lists to start training! One school which owns their own airport would randomly move your schedule around to prioritize their "program" students.

CYOO added a $15 landing/touch and go fee, and lots of rules about curfews/long weekend flying and seems to just hate that GA operates there. Buttonville has closed down lowering options.

YTZ has a severe shortage and has operated as a MF on long weekends due to controllers not showing up, no complaints about the school but over $300 an hour for dual in a 150!

Nav Canada refuses to let planes transit the zone, bans IFR practice approaches by NOTAM on weekends and other busy days, and effectively says you're on your own.



There are so many obstacles that haven't really existed in the past, I wonder what people are doing to get their licenses?

[Daigo]

The landscape of flight training is shifting in this country and eventually it will almost all be program structured with airline partnership just like the european system. We already have Jazz and Flair running their own schools. So i can see in the future people would have to travel far away from the gta and regular folks would be priced out of these programs

[digits_]

Yeah it's starting to sound eerily like some European airports. Limited amount of movements, pay for every little thing you do, restrictions popping up randomly. Not a good path to continue on.

[khedrei]

The GTA is tough. If you are referring to CZBA in the first example, that owner doesn't own the airport.

CYSN is an option but much further unless you are in the west end. CYFD, same thing. But both are not as busy and may be easier to get bookings. Instructor availability is also tough right now in the smaller airports so I've heard.

I couldn't imagine trying to train at YTZ.

I can't believe oshawa charges touch and go fees. Their only business is GA. Stupid for them to try and push it away.

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

[ellinas]

The GTA is tough. If you are referring to CZBA in the first example, that owner doesn't own the airport.

CYSN is an option but much further unless you are in the west end. CYFD, same thing. But both are not as busy and may be easier to get bookings. Instructor availability is also tough right now in the smaller airports so I've heard.

I couldn't imagine trying to train at YTZ.

I can't believe oshawa charges touch and go fees. Their only business is GA. Stupid for them to try and push it away.

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

Instructor availability is tough because of a shortage ?

[newlygrounded]

The GTA is tough. If you are referring to CZBA in the first example, that owner doesn't own the airport.

CYSN is an option but much further unless you are in the west end. CYFD, same thing. But both are not as busy and may be easier to get bookings. Instructor availability is also tough right now in the smaller airports so I've heard.

I couldn't imagine trying to train at YTZ.

I can't believe oshawa charges touch and go fees. Their only business is GA. Stupid for them to try and push it away.

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

Man I'd consider some of those but it's like 2.5+ hours minimum most days to Niagara, I remember brantford closed at something stupid like 5PM



The YOO issues are a big stink with a handful of idiots mad planes are flying around the airport that has been there since the 40's. The private jet and medevac traffic is all they seem to care about.

The landscape of flight training is shifting in this country and eventually it will almost all be program structured with airline partnership just like the european system. We already have Jazz and Flair running their own schools. So i can see in the future people would have to travel far away from the gta and regular folks would be priced out of these programs

I agree but what's going to happen to the in my estimate 80% of pilots who can't afford to fork over $150k to make $60K at a regional with no chance of upgrading to captain due to lack of ATPL mins

[khedrei]

The GTA is tough. If you are referring to CZBA in the first example, that owner doesn't own the airport.

CYSN is an option but much further unless you are in the west end. CYFD, same thing. But both are not as busy and may be easier to get bookings. Instructor availability is also tough right now in the smaller airports so I've heard.

I couldn't imagine trying to train at YTZ.

I can't believe oshawa charges touch and go fees. Their only business is GA. Stupid for them to try and push it away.

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

Instructor availability is tough because of a shortage ?

I think there is a shortage of instructors at small operators. The busier ones seem fine from my limited perspective. Definitely a shortage of good ones and ones that offer advanced training around me.

[Heli82]

Move to Calgary, Calgary Flying Club offers low rates, 19 aircraft and instructors. No HST so save even more along with lower cost of living than GTA

[redlaser]

Maybe using a flight simulator is an option, and a lot cheaper.