Mount Royal Aviation

[MartinB]

Hey guys. I was just curious if MRU's aviation program is any good? I am currently planning on going to Confederation college, or Seneca, and the university of western Ontario if my parents win the lottery. But since I do live in Calgary, I was wondering if Mount Royal is any good. I've heard it's nothing like it used to and that the training is sub par. But a friend of my teacher who's been flying for 5 years got in with AC and he went there. Any thoughts?

[BTyyj]

The only negative thing I've heard about Mount Royal is aircraft availability, but that might have changed since their latest aircraft acquisitions. They now fly a completely new fleet of Tecnam P2006Ts and C172s, all equipped with glass cockpits IIRC.

Something worth noting is that these new aircraft weren't cheap, and Mount Royal is resultantly passing on the cost in the form of tuition to the students in aviation, making it a very expensive program. When I did some calculations a few months ago, I found that it was actually cheaper (if you live in Calgary) to get a degree at UofC and fly at an FTU such as CFC or SATC than take the MRU program.

Mount Royal is not cheap, and I've met several former students who have dropped out for this reason alone, electing instead to train at an FTU to save money.

If I were you, I would go the FTU route and either get a degree at UofC or a diploma at SAIT in something that is and will continue to be in demand, lest you lose your pilots license for whatever reason. Not only would it be less expensive to go this route, but potentially far more beneficial in the long run.

Most aviation diploma programs are somewhat limited in what they can offer students in the event piloting doesn't work out, as an aviation diploma doesn't get you too far in any other field. A good degree (engineering, business, economics, IT, etc.) or a trade would be a far better backup plan.

[Beefitarian]

Is that not true for all the Collage programs? Other than the year and a half old fleet.

[BTyyj]

the Collage programs?

I've actually never heard of this program. Is it within the arts department?

Jokes aside, Mount Royal is quite a bit more expensive than Confed, Sault, or Seneca. Other colleges however, I cannot comment.

[Beefitarian]

Sorry, so much for spell cheque.

[twinflame]

I've heard they have been through a lot with those new twins and still got work to do.

[Heisenberg666]

I can confirm it's very expensive. Approximately $300 dual for a 172. Buyer beware.

[imac0960]

Looking at the website it will cost $32k a year plus for the diploma program. Find a school that is subsidized by the government if you want to go to college for it. Otherwise just do it on your own at a FTU at your own pace which will allow you to work to help fund your flying habit.

[shamrock104]

As shown above, go to a decent flightschool and the money saved can be put towards some other form of training outside of aviation. This way you have something to fall back on.

[rt777]

I can confirm it's very expensive. Approximately $300 dual for a 172. Buyer beware.

That is crazy!

[falcon50fo]

Program is expensive - if you use the figure of $32,000 per year - you are looking at over $60,000.00 in flight costs alone for the two year program plus fees for the diploma program.

Second the "glory years" of the program are gone. Lots of staff turnover and low enrolments for students just in the past year. It makes you wonder about the quality of instruction with all the turnover.

The direct hire from MRU happened years ago, in the early years of the program which was used to promote the program. These days, the top of the class is guaranteed an interview with Jazz. Hiring is a different story.

The new fleet is a maintenance nightmare and after two years, last I heard, only 1 out of the 3 twins is currently serviceable (landing gear issues) making it hard to get any multi training completed.

[fixnfly]

I worked with three Mt. Royal graduates who have finished the program in the past 5 years. Unfortunately all three of them said that the programs quality has deteriorated from what it was in the past with a high turnover rate of instructors. They all recommended going to a FTU because the quality of instruction would be about the same and it would be far cheaper. On the positive side Mt. Royal did a nice job of taking the initiative to setup the pilot expo about a month ago to help build connections for their students.

[falcon50fo]

The career expo was in response to the Wings Mag expo being held on April 15.
MRU didn't want to pay the registration fee to the air museum.
Think it's bad airmanship when they don't want to support a non profit organization!!

[Big Pistons Forever]

I worked with three Mt. Royal graduates who have finished the program in the past 5 years. Unfortunately all three of them said that the programs quality has deteriorated from what it was in the past with a high turnover rate of instructors. They all recommended going to a FTU because the quality of instruction would be about the same and it would be far cheaper. On the positive side Mt. Royal did a nice job of taking the initiative to setup the pilot expo about a month ago to help build connections for their students.

+1

Mount Royal used to have a good reputation with a cadre of very experienced instructors and a sensible program. Unfortunately those days are over and the program has massively deteriorated in quality while the price has gone through the roof. Stay away, there are much better options.

[falcon50fo]

Has anybody noticed that on their webpage, they mention a $3000 discount if you take your PPL with them....

When you compare costs, the PPL program is roughly $3000 more than other flight schools. Also, the PPL program has more sim training than actual flying compared to other schools.

So they are ripping the public off by charging more (but claiming you are getting a discount if you do the diploma with them) then putting you in the simulator.

There should be agency to report this to??