Hey Guys and Gals!
Long time lurker first time poster here.
I had originally had my mind made up for me due to lack of funds... either go to Confederation or Sault. But my financial circumstances have changed and I plan on flight training while getting a degree (seems like the best way to go after reading hundreds of posts). After reading threads I know quite a bit about rfc and ofc but how about Smith Falls or Arnprior?
I live in Brockville so Smith Falls is the closest right now but I am willing to Travel if the training is more exceptional in Ottawa. I'd more than likely be completing my PPL-CPL at whatever school I chose.
Any comments contributed is greatly appreciated.
I look forward to contributing to the forum in the future.
Thanks,
Toaster
Flight Training - Smith Falls, Arnprior, RfC, or OfC?
Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, Right Seat Captain, lilfssister, North Shore
Re: Flight Training - Smith Falls, Arnprior, RfC, or OfC?
The quality of training you receive will be determined by your instructor. Some are very good, some not so much.
It really doesn't matter what airplane you use, or what school you fly out of.
Note that flying at a larger airport, you're going to spend a lot more money - NavCan fees, airport fees, waiting to taxi - you're number 5 for takeoff - and travelling to and from the practice area. Some people justify the extra thousands of dollars they will spend by saying that they have better radio skills, but I'm not sure that's the most cost efficient way to learn to use the radio.
Geographically, where and when you fly - how many VFR days per year will you have - is a big factor, too. All of eastern ontario is pretty much the same in that respect.
P.S. You should look up Kyle Davies - he is a flight instructor that lives in Brockville.
Also, look at Kingston and Cornwall.
It really doesn't matter what airplane you use, or what school you fly out of.
Note that flying at a larger airport, you're going to spend a lot more money - NavCan fees, airport fees, waiting to taxi - you're number 5 for takeoff - and travelling to and from the practice area. Some people justify the extra thousands of dollars they will spend by saying that they have better radio skills, but I'm not sure that's the most cost efficient way to learn to use the radio.
Geographically, where and when you fly - how many VFR days per year will you have - is a big factor, too. All of eastern ontario is pretty much the same in that respect.
P.S. You should look up Kyle Davies - he is a flight instructor that lives in Brockville.
Also, look at Kingston and Cornwall.
Re: Flight Training - Smith Falls, Arnprior, RfC, or OfC?
Thanks for the reply Hedley!
I didn't even think about Cornwall... did some investigating on them and it looks like there a good outfit. I did a quick search on Kyle Davies and it looks like he flies out of Smith Falls, so I'm gonna take a trip to SF and Cornwall next week and get to know some instructors so I can make a decision.
Thanks again for the advice!
Toaster
I didn't even think about Cornwall... did some investigating on them and it looks like there a good outfit. I did a quick search on Kyle Davies and it looks like he flies out of Smith Falls, so I'm gonna take a trip to SF and Cornwall next week and get to know some instructors so I can make a decision.
Thanks again for the advice!
Toaster
Re: Flight Training - Smith Falls, Arnprior, RfC, or OfC?
Cornwall has a good school - they are widely known as the multi-ifr people but they also do a lot of single engine training as well, and have a DFTE on staff.
Don't forget Kingston - they have a great airport with at least two schools - Kingston flying club and Ontario fun flyers if memory serves.
Too bad there's no flight training out of Brockville. People have tried it over the years - satellite outfits - but what is there now is a true club - I think a 172 rental - which is privately owned with around 15 (?) people on the C of R so that it is technically "private" so they don't need an AMO to do their maintenance, and they don't need an FTU OC which can be really onerous to get (one year for a first-timer) and keep, at least in this region.
Don't forget Kingston - they have a great airport with at least two schools - Kingston flying club and Ontario fun flyers if memory serves.
Too bad there's no flight training out of Brockville. People have tried it over the years - satellite outfits - but what is there now is a true club - I think a 172 rental - which is privately owned with around 15 (?) people on the C of R so that it is technically "private" so they don't need an AMO to do their maintenance, and they don't need an FTU OC which can be really onerous to get (one year for a first-timer) and keep, at least in this region.
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Cat Driver
- Top Poster
- Posts: 18921
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 8:31 pm
Re: Flight Training - Smith Falls, Arnprior, RfC, or OfC?
Hedley how many positive things can you think of that would make Canada's FTU OC requirement more beneficial that the FAA policy of allowing any flight instructor to teach ab-initio flying without needing an OC?
The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
Re: Flight Training - Smith Falls, Arnprior, RfC, or OfC?
Sigh. I would dearly love for someone to do a cost/benefit analysis for each of the the layers of paperwork in aviation. One has to wonder if we are getting good (or any) value.
A friend of mine just retired from First Air. I was talking to him the other night about this, and apparently they have more people in the office pushing paper, than they do fixing and flying airplanes. Such is the cost of bureaucracy and paperwork in Canada.
Oddly enough, bureaucracy and paperwork in Canada is viewed as "free" and simultaneously viewed with near-religious fervor as to it's efficacy. I believe this is some sort of corollary of the fundamental beliefs that most Canadians hold that:
1) taxes can never be high enough
2) government can never be big enough
I am sure I nearly alone in my concerns with this, but it would be interesting for the "big paperwork" school of thought to tackle, say, the decline of the manufacturing sector in Ontario. Could they solve it by imposing extra paperwork overhead? I am sure they think they could, but I doubt it.
A friend of mine just retired from First Air. I was talking to him the other night about this, and apparently they have more people in the office pushing paper, than they do fixing and flying airplanes. Such is the cost of bureaucracy and paperwork in Canada.
Oddly enough, bureaucracy and paperwork in Canada is viewed as "free" and simultaneously viewed with near-religious fervor as to it's efficacy. I believe this is some sort of corollary of the fundamental beliefs that most Canadians hold that:
1) taxes can never be high enough
2) government can never be big enough
I am sure I nearly alone in my concerns with this, but it would be interesting for the "big paperwork" school of thought to tackle, say, the decline of the manufacturing sector in Ontario. Could they solve it by imposing extra paperwork overhead? I am sure they think they could, but I doubt it.
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Ground Thumper
- Rank 1
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- Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2009 2:33 pm
- Location: Ottawa
Re: Flight Training - Smith Falls, Arnprior, RfC, or OfC?
I visited Cornwall last summer. I was impressed. Good facility and nice people.
I would definitely check it out and see if the school suits you.
Good Luck!
I would definitely check it out and see if the school suits you.
Good Luck!
-GT
