CANADA SCHOOL

[kanz78]

Hello,

I’m reaching out to get some information about pilot training in Canada.

I’m a 23-year-old French citizen with the goal of becoming an airline pilot. I’m particularly interested in training in Canada, as I really like the country and believe aviation training there is more accessible than in Europe.

So far, I’ve contacted a few schools: Moncton Flight College, Harv’s Air, Pacific Flying Club, and Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre.

Here are the main criteria I’m looking for:

A school with a strong reputation and good connections (partnerships with regional or national airlines)

Located in a region with good job opportunities for pilots after graduation

Reasonable cost of living (housing, food, etc.)

Able to issue a student visa for international students (as I am French)

I’m open to both integrated and modular training programs.
If you have any recommendations or advice, I’d be very grateful.

Thank you very much,

[Me262]

Seriously?

Do EASA, why would you even consider Canada? Wizz Air if you have 0hrs, pay the €15k and go for their cadet program. Right seat into A321, then straight to left seat while doing their 5 year commitment. Anything similar here (if it still exists, I'm only aware of Flair which I think it doesn't exist anymore and Jazz, which I think stopped) is 120-150k to get dicked around and unable to upgrade to ATPL because you won't have the golden 150hrs in a C152 doing circuits for your PIC. I'm sure there are other cadet programs in EU as well similar to Wizz if they are not your cup of tea.

[kanz78]

Seriously?

Do EASA, why would you even consider Canada? Wizz Air if you have 0hrs, pay the €15k and go for their cadet program. Right seat into A321, then straight to left seat while doing their 5 year commitment. Anything similar here (if it still exists, I'm only aware of Flair which I think it doesn't exist anymore and Jazz, which I think stopped) is 120-150k to get dicked around and unable to upgrade to ATPL because you won't have the golden 150hrs in a C152 doing circuits for your PIC. I'm sure there are other cadet programs in EU as well similar to Wizz if they are not your cup of tea.

I know I'm not bilingual, but maybe you didn’t understand my message?
I’m looking for information about schools in Canada ! Not about European cadets, who would never pay 15,000 euros. I don’t know where you got that from, but anyway...
Also, I’m not coming to Canada just to become a pilot.
I’m genuinely interested in the country, which is why I’d rather do my training there so I can stay afterwards!
But thank you for your response anyway.

[nohojob]

Tu as aussi Air Richelieu et Cargair à Saint Hubert CYHU.
Bienvenue à Avcanada où on répond à toutes les questions que tu n'as pas posées !

[kanz78]

Tu as aussi Air Richelieu et Cargair à Saint Hubert CYHU.
Bienvenue à Avcanada où on répond à toutes les questions que tu n'as pas posées !

J'ai surtout l'impression qu'il ne veut plus d'étrangers dans son pays, ahah.
Mais sinon, j'ai oublié de préciser que je ne cherche pas d'école au Québec, car d'après ce que j'ai compris, c'est plus difficile d'obtenir sa résidence permanente là-bas, à moins que je me trompe ?

[nohojob]

Pour la résidence j'aurais tendance à penser que le Québec favoriserait les francophones, ce serait logique ?
À mon humble avis, ce qui peut-être payant c'est de se renseigner sur place, de voir les écoles, parler aux étudiants. À Montréal il y a
Beaucoup d'étudiants français dans les écoles de pilotage qui auront des infos plus récentes que les miennes. Je suis arrivé au Canada il y a plus de 20 ans.

[Bede]

I know I'm not bilingual, but maybe you didn’t understand my message?
I’m looking for information about schools in Canada ! Not about European cadets, who would never pay 15,000 euros. I don’t know where you got that from, but anyway...
Also, I’m not coming to Canada just to become a pilot.
I’m genuinely interested in the country, which is why I’d rather do my training there so I can stay afterwards!
But thank you for your response anyway.

This is probably the best retort I've seen on this board in a long time. We all bitch and gripe about this country and the aviation industry here, but it's very good on a worldwide standard. Maybe not as good as the US, but still damn good. This is why we see this poster ask about Canada. He's done his research and sees this country as his best option.

Welcome to Canada sir. Good luck!

[khedrei]

I know I'm not bilingual, but maybe you didn’t understand my message?
I’m looking for information about schools in Canada ! Not about European cadets, who would never pay 15,000 euros. I don’t know where you got that from, but anyway...
Also, I’m not coming to Canada just to become a pilot.
I’m genuinely interested in the country, which is why I’d rather do my training there so I can stay afterwards!
But thank you for your response anyway.

This is probably the best retort I've seen on this board in a long time. We all bitch and gripe about this country and the aviation industry here, but it's very good on a worldwide standard. Maybe not as good as the US, but still damn good. This is why we see this poster ask about Canada. He's done his research and sees this country as his best option.

Welcome to Canada sir. Good luck!

Not sure where you are getting your info from Bede, but Canada ranks DEAD last in real GDP growth per capita of the 38 richest nations in the world for the last decade. Not only are we not as good as the US, we are not as good as ANY OTHER advanced country from an economic standpoint as well as other metrics.

You are right that we are great from a worldwide standpoint... as in, a world average. If that's your standard I guess you're easy to please.

[Bede]

Not sure where you are getting your info from Bede, but Canada ranks DEAD last in real GDP growth per capita of the 38 richest nations in the world for the last decade. Not only are we not as good as the US, we are not as good as ANY OTHER advanced country from an economic standpoint as well as other metrics.

You are right that we are great from a worldwide standpoint... as in, a world average. If that's your standard I guess you're easy to please.

Are you saying that you can reduce the quality of a country to one metric: real GDP per capita? Yes, it's pathetic, you can thank Trudeau for that. But, on the whole, there's a reason that far more people try to get to this country than try to leave.

[kanz78]

I know I'm not bilingual, but maybe you didn’t understand my message?
I’m looking for information about schools in Canada ! Not about European cadets, who would never pay 15,000 euros. I don’t know where you got that from, but anyway...
Also, I’m not coming to Canada just to become a pilot.
I’m genuinely interested in the country, which is why I’d rather do my training there so I can stay afterwards!
But thank you for your response anyway.

This is probably the best retort I've seen on this board in a long time. We all bitch and gripe about this country and the aviation industry here, but it's very good on a worldwide standard. Maybe not as good as the US, but still damn good. This is why we see this poster ask about Canada. He's done his research and sees this country as his best option.

Welcome to Canada sir. Good luck!

Thank you for your message. Aviation is indeed better in the United States. The problem with Europe is that, apart from cadet programs which offer very few spots there are hardly any opportunities to build flight hours, unlike in Canada.
After doing some research, I believe Canada offers a better quality of life compared to Europe, especially France!

[Me262]

Seriously?

Do EASA, why would you even consider Canada? Wizz Air if you have 0hrs, pay the €15k and go for their cadet program. Right seat into A321, then straight to left seat while doing their 5 year commitment. Anything similar here (if it still exists, I'm only aware of Flair which I think it doesn't exist anymore and Jazz, which I think stopped) is 120-150k to get dicked around and unable to upgrade to ATPL because you won't have the golden 150hrs in a C152 doing circuits for your PIC. I'm sure there are other cadet programs in EU as well similar to Wizz if they are not your cup of tea.

I know I'm not bilingual, but maybe you didn’t understand my message?
I’m looking for information about schools in Canada ! Not about European cadets, who would never pay 15,000 euros. I don’t know where you got that from, but anyway...
Also, I’m not coming to Canada just to become a pilot.
I’m genuinely interested in the country, which is why I’d rather do my training there so I can stay afterwards!
But thank you for your response anyway.

Good luck! just don't come back on these forums complaining afterwards. Enjoy Canada.

[kanz78]

Pour la résidence j'aurais tendance à penser que le Québec favoriserait les francophones, ce serait logique ?
À mon humble avis, ce qui peut-être payant c'est de se renseigner sur place, de voir les écoles, parler aux étudiants. À Montréal il y a
Beaucoup d'étudiants français dans les écoles de pilotage qui auront des infos plus récentes que les miennes. Je suis arrivé au Canada il y a plus de 20 ans.

Justement non, ils essaient de limiter au Québec et d’offrir plus de résidences permanentes ailleurs ! Et oui, j’imagine qu’en 20 ans, ça a dû changer !

[kanz78]

Good luck! just don't come back on these forums complaining afterwards. Enjoy Canada.

Why would I come back to complain? Explain your point of view instead of making unnecessary insinuations....

[khedrei]

Not sure where you are getting your info from Bede, but Canada ranks DEAD last in real GDP growth per capita of the 38 richest nations in the world for the last decade. Not only are we not as good as the US, we are not as good as ANY OTHER advanced country from an economic standpoint as well as other metrics.

You are right that we are great from a worldwide standpoint... as in, a world average. If that's your standard I guess you're easy to please.

Are you saying that you can reduce the quality of a country to one metric: real GDP per capita? Yes, it's pathetic, you can thank Trudeau for that. But, on the whole, there's a reason that far more people try to get to this country than try to leave.

Yes, in general I would say that would be one of (if not, THE) most important factors on determining quality of life in a country. I would ask you for your other factors... I would say that freedom would be ahead of that perhaps, but we can see that canada isn't winning in that department and all of those 38 rich countries are free. Any other factors that you would measure a country by, all come back to a strong middle class. Crime, services, food and water, roads, healthcare. Without a strong middle class, all of those suffer.

You are absolutely right that people in the 3rd world are all trying to get here. We are a better place to be than a developing nation, no question. But dead last of the richest nations (the worst of the best) is nothing to be proud of. Especially when you look at where we used to be. People don't try to leave this country only because they really can't. Its not exactly easy to immigrate to another rich country from Canada, as any pilot on this board would tell you. Tgey simply dont take immigrants from this country. I would bet half of all the working pilots on this board would go to the US if they could. Even more true for younger ones. One of the reasons people flock to Canada from poor countries is because its easy. Not the case for people who want to leave canada for other rich nations. As an adult, try to get into any of a couple dozen rich countries from Canada. Scandinavia, Japan, the US, UK, France. You'll find its not easy.

[nohojob]

If you managed to get le visa de résidu permanent, you can try the CQFA in Chicoutimi. It's a competition to get in, but if you do get in, it's free and it is a great program.

[kanz78]

If you managed to get le visa de résidu permanent, you can try the CQFA in Chicoutimi. It's a competition to get in, but if you do get in, it's free and it is a great program.

I don’t have permanent residency yet. I plan to obtain it by working as a flight instructor after finishing school, but thanks anyway.

[nohojob]

Do you have some experience in other fields like computer for instance ?
If it is the case you can ask the visa based on the experience in a field where Canada needs workers.
Once you have the visa, you can do whatever you want.

[kanz78]

Do you have some experience in other fields like computer for instance ?
If it is the case you can ask the visa based on the experience in a field where Canada needs workers.
Once you have the visa, you can do whatever you want.

No, I’ve only worked as a server for 3 years.So I can obtain permanent residency either by becoming a flight instructor (FI), or if I understood correctly through a program for native French speakers with good English skills, to live in the Prairies. I'm not sure if that’s exactly how it works?

[nohojob]

Not sure either but what I know is as soon as you receive your visa, you can live wherever you want.
New Brunswick which is the only officially billingual province of Canada might be interested in French speakers as well.

[nohojob]

À ma grande surprise, le métier #62

https://immigration-au-canada.net/les-m ... au-canada/

[kanz78]

À ma grande surprise, le métier #62

https://immigration-au-canada.net/les-m ... au-canada/

Yes, that’s also one of the reasons I want to come to Canada, as aviation could allow me to stay in the country! I plan to start with a study permit, then get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and afterward apply for permanent residency if I manage to find a job as a flight instructor, bush pilot or in any other pilot-related position

[Bede]

Yes, in general I would say that would be one of (if not, THE) most important factors on determining quality of life in a country. I would ask you for your other factors... I would say that freedom would be ahead of that perhaps, but we can see that canada isn't winning in that department and all of those 38 rich countries are free. Any other factors that you would measure a country by, all come back to a strong middle class. Crime, services, food and water, roads, healthcare. Without a strong middle class, all of those suffer.

You are absolutely right that people in the 3rd world are all trying to get here. We are a better place to be than a developing nation, no question. But dead last of the richest nations (the worst of the best) is nothing to be proud of. Especially when you look at where we used to be. People don't try to leave this country only because they really can't. Its not exactly easy to immigrate to another rich country from Canada, as any pilot on this board would tell you. Tgey simply dont take immigrants from this country. I would bet half of all the working pilots on this board would go to the US if they could. Even more true for younger ones. One of the reasons people flock to Canada from poor countries is because its easy. Not the case for people who want to leave canada for other rich nations. As an adult, try to get into any of a couple dozen rich countries from Canada. Scandinavia, Japan, the US, UK, France. You'll find its not easy.

I don't want to drift this thread too much and you've raised good points. However, crime, education, health care, civil liberties, political and religious freedom, etc are also factored in.

A few years ago I was at a seminar in Europe. My buddy and I went. We both own airplanes. When it casually came out in conversation, the participants from other countries were blown away that we earned enough money to have small airplanes.

[nohojob]

Bede, you are probably in top 1% salary wise.

[Bede]

Bede, you are probably in top 1% salary wise.

Well exactly.

[BadRobot]

Hi Kanz78,

As someone who has been in you position a few years ago, I can only recommend to come directly to Canada to visit schools and talk with students, instructors and make your own impression.
Strong reputation is good but that's not the only thing that I would look into, there is other things such as maintenance, instructors level, scheduling (some of the big schools can't offer you more than a couple flights a week).

Coming from France, the exchange rate is in your favor right now but paying back your loan is going to be painful.

The prairies are a good place to start, pretty good weather but very cold in winter, and some opportunities to get started after completion (you might have to do ground first or get lucky).

I didn't go to Quebec as it's mostly AEC or DEC there and I didn't want to spend that long. If you're aiming for a PGWP that might be a good option too. Manitoba is interested in French speakers as well I believe.

If you managed to get le visa de résidu permanent, you can try the CQFA in Chicoutimi. It's a competition to get in, but if you do get in, it's free and it is a great program.

I don’t have permanent residency yet. I plan to obtain it by working as a flight instructor after finishing school, but thanks anyway.

Please don't become a flight instructor just to get the permanent residency. There are other options to work and getting hours, and an unmotivated instructor is not the best kind of instructor.

Good luck !