Island Coastal Aviation

[JVader]

Hey Guys, was wondering if anyone had any reviews or comments on Island Coastal aviation in Pitt Meadows, i'm planning on taking their 50 hour floatplane/bushplane/commercial course starting April 1st...Any experiences, suggestions, or comments would be great!!

Thanks,
Jeff

[Big Pistons Forever]

pm sent

[twotter]

It would be a far better choice than the other school on the same field..

[SunbeamTiger]

It would be a far better choice than the other school on the same field..

I agree.

I have known lots of people who trained with them both recently and when they were back on Vancouver Island, heard nothing but amazing stories and even more amazing photos to prove it. I never knew another school who offered training like that (even if they claimed to..). Took total advantage of what the BC Coast has in challenges.

Check the Testimonials page on their website if you want more proof. Some impressive stories there.

[vinco]

Hey Jeff,

I'm also planning to head to the coast for a 50-hour course with these Island Coastal, so I'm naturally curious to know how it went for you.

So far I’ve read very good things from their webite and friends, and I’m thinking of starting there in June.

If anyone else has dealt with them before I'd appreciate your feedback too: good or bad.

Thanks in advance,

Vince

[cessnafloatflyer]

Want to know about this guy and his operation? Look into his last one: Parallel Aviation and its history. ^&* was the owner and operator of that operation before this one. Campbell River then Victoria, then Shawnigan Lake and then Cowichan lake all in a few years, boy, he did move is base a lot... Then when that was done, a new incarnation as Island Coastal -- wonder why?

Contact TC and ask for the history of the OC for Parallel. Then ask the same for the second company Parallel Seaplanes created after Parallel Aviation.

[cessnafloatflyer]

Took total advantage of what the BC Coast has in challenges.

Like what?

[Cat Driver]

Want to know about this guy and his operation? Look into his last one: Parallel Aviation and its history. &*( was the owner and operator of that operation before this one. Campbell River then Victoria, then Shawnigan Lake and then Cowichan lake all in a few years, boy, he did move is base a lot... Then when that was done, a new incarnation as Island Coastal -- wonder why?

Contact TC and ask for the history of the OC for Parallel.

The above is good advice, by the way you can add Nanaimo to the above locations..

[vinco]

Thanks for the suggestions, Cat and Cessa.

The Parallel info I found says mostly good things about the owner's quality of instruction and that's mainly what I care about.

Personally it doesn't really matter to me where the guy lives--only what he knows.

And the Island Coastal Aviation website shows a ton of recent testimonials from pretty happy customers from practically everywhere -- tells me this guy is good and has an international rep.

Cheers

[cessnafloatflyer]

I think you missed the point.

[Cat Driver]

You can lead a horse to water...........................

[Beefitarian]

You can lead a horse to water...........................

.... but he might not catch on to your vague hints about potentially bad oats?

[High and Behind]

Want to know about this guy and his operation? Look into his last one: Parallel Aviation and its history. ^&* was the owner and operator of that operation before this one. Campbell River then Victoria, then Shawnigan Lake and then Cowichan lake all in a few years, boy, he did move is base a lot... Then when that was done, a new incarnation as Island Coastal -- wonder why?

Contact TC and ask for the history of the OC for Parallel.

The above is good advice, by the way you can add Nanaimo to the above locations..

And Pemberton....

I'd do more shopping if I were you.

[High and Behind]

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=81039

[chipper]

I just got back from Transport Canada and they had nothing but positive things to say about ^&* at Island Coastal
Aviation and his other companies. According to Transport Canada these alligations are innacurate, I wanted to post this because
I don't want cessnafloatflyer or anyone else to be misleading. Also from doing a bit of research from a previous post it looks
like cessnafloatflyer is in direct competition with Island Coastal Aviation... If you look at this post here...

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=62565&p=616125#p616125

How can we take someone who is in direct competition with Island Coastal Aviations advice seriously?

[wirez]

I second that. Trained with ^&* in Cowichan Lake a couple years back. Satisfied customer.

[Cat Driver]

Chipper, can you contact T.C. and ask them what they think about Keystone?

Get back to us and let us know if they have anything negative to say.

[cessnafloatflyer]

I don't deny that I do seaplane training. I haven't contacted any of these pilots to try to get their work. This is all true. This company (or under its different names and licenses) has been changing names, moving around, closed down, had licenses of it's trainees revoked by TC and much more if you do look around the internet. It is true. I have experience and I have said the truth and not tried to get any business. There are many schools out there, especially in the lower mainland where I am NOT based. I am not fishing for work, but giving advice about a business that has a 'reputation' in the industry for a real reason.

They asked, I answered.

[Cat Driver]

Good to see you are responding to this cessnafloatflyer.

The internet can be both positive and negative due to the anonymity of some of the posters.

Chipper is misinformed at the very least.

[chipper]

I spoke directly with Transport Canada on the phone, there has never been a licence revoked.

[cessnafloatflyer]

Chipper -- the advice has been given by those who live and work out here -- those who know. If you choose not to listen to it, then it's buyer beware.

[vinco]

CessnaFloatFlyer, it's time to call BS. Your website is Ocean Air, and it specifically says that you are "close to Vancouver" so stop pretending you're not a competitor. IMHO, it would have been much more professional to disclose up-front that you're obviously the competition. You have finally started to partially admit this, but only after chipper outed you.

I personally contacted John Milligan, Technical Team Leader in charge of operational certificates at Transport Canada, and he stated that none of the OC's for any of the three companies were ever revoked by TC and that the companies changed when the types of training offered changed or when the customer moved from Nanaimo to Pitt Meadows--in other words, absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.

I then called Craig Leonard, Superintendent of Licensing, and he stated that he is head of licensing; that there is an authorized person that is a delegate for the Ministry at Island Coastal Aviation; and that she regularly submits paperwork to them. He then stated that he personally does not know of anything that Transport Canada has ever refused or revoked from any of the mentioned companies (not just Island Coastal Aviation). He goes on to state that this information on the Internet sounds like gossip, and that realistically to make blatant statements like that with no basis in fact that have no supporting information is just rumour-mongering done typically of a malicious nature.

Chipper above says he also contacted Transport Canada and they have only good things to say about all the above-mentioned companies, including Island Coastal Aviation, and that TC has not revoked any license or rating ever.

CessnaFloatFlyer, you specifically stated above that: "This company ... had licenses of it's trainees revoked by TC and much more if you do look around the internet." But I have found nothing on the Internet and nothing from Transport Canada. Your statement conflicts with what Craig Leonard, Superintendant of Licensing for Transport Canada, is saying. Who's word should I trust? A guy who's still trying to hide the fact that he's a competitor? Or should I trust Transport Canada and the dozens and dozens of pilots who have actually paid for and taken training from Tom Drybrough and have nothing but good things to say about Island Coastal Aviation on their website. ( link here: http://www.islandcoastalaviation.com/testimonials).

And Cat Driver, a quick scan on the forum brings up several posts where you recommend CessnaFloatFlyer and his company. However, the forum also brings up other posts by you that do not reflect well on your credibility:

"My last application (with Transport Canada) took three years and even after that length of time they would not approve it, so I won't be trying again." ( link here )

... and this one:

"The first TC coc.sucker who approaches me at an airport had better call the RCMP first because that is what they are going to need. I tried for three years to use the legal approach with them, next time I won't bother." ( link here )

... and this doozy:

"... there are a couple of thugs working under the direction of the RDCA here who tells my clients that TC will not approve or accept any training done by me ... the last time the coc.sucker told one of my clients that my training is unacceptable I had an agreement with a FTU to satisfy the Regs...made no difference he just sent my client to someone else." ( link here )

Very un-professional to say the least, Cat Driver. With an attitude and reputation like that how can you criticize any other flying school and be considered at all credible?

Bottom line, guys: give it a rest. Stop wasting everybody's time spreading gossip and lies about your competition.

[Cat Driver]

Very un-professional to say the least, Cat Driver. With an attitude and reputation like that how can you criticize any other flying school and be considered at all credible?

You are entitled to your own opinions vinco, however go back and read my comments that you copied to this thread.

My record in aviation is quite easy to trace....and my problems with TCCA were wrongdoing by TCCA officials......not me......it took me three and a half years and many many thousands of dollars to prove beyond doubt that the officials who I named were guilty of denying me due process under Canadian law.

I am aware that by referring to named individuals in my legal battle with TC as coc.suckers could be seen as unprofessional by some here and in retrospect I probably gave them credit for being useful for something......however I will just stand by my comment.

As to recommending cessnafloatflyer I also stand by that.


Oh by the way, as to trusting anyone in TCCA I would trust a common street criminal more.

[Cat Driver]

deleted.

[Chuck Ellsworth]

The internet is an interesting means of communication.

We get all kinds of questions asked here, so I thought I would focus on this one one more time vinco.

Cat Driver. With an attitude and reputation like that how can you criticize any other flying school and be considered at all credible?

My background and reputation is well known all around the world, especially my reputation as a sea plane flight instructor, in fact I was one of the highest paid in the world and based on that I do not retract my recommendation of Cessnafloatflyer.

I believe my credibility is best examined by noting the fact I use my true name in this forum.....rather than hide behind a made up name.

. ..

Note:

I have not recommended the owner of Island Coastal Aviation.