Training for non-current PPL in Pitt Meadows, BC

[JasonHanley]

Hi all,

I'm a PPL recently moved to Port Coquitlam. Originally from Ontario but trained at a small uncontrolled airport in New Zealand.

Haven't flown much in the past 3 years, so looking for a nice training facility to get current and up in the air again. Flown mostly Cessna's before so sticking with that for the time being.

I'm aware of:
* Pacific Rim
* Island Coastal
* Montair

Are there any others I should be considering?

I read viewtopic.php?f=3&t=102481 but there wasn't much specific to Pitt Meadows.

Any other general advice or threads I should read?

Much appreciated,
Jason.

[lazyeight]

Avoid Montair. That's all I know. Can't comment on the other two.

[BeaverDreamer]

Talk to Steve at Classic Aviation. No Cessnas but the Cherokee is extremely similar to fly. And it will give you a good excuse when you realize how rusty you are

[JasonHanley]

Talk to Steve at Classic Aviation. No Cessnas but the Cherokee is extremely similar to fly. And it will give you a good excuse when you realize how rusty you are

Thanks! I'm sure it's going to be quite.. interesting But I'll probably stick with a trusty C-172 for the time being to keep things familiar. Once I'm back in the saddle I'll consider other aircraft suggestions.

[PositiveRate27]

Steve at classic is by far your best bet. He's a retired airline captain who owns and runs his school with his wife. He will give you all the attention you deserve as he only has the one airplane and he is the only instructor. He's the nicest guy you'll ever meet in aviation and has a whole career of experience to pass on instead of the 500hr time builders at the other schools.

Pacific Rim is under new management and is a shadow of its former self and Montair is just a puppy mill for foreign contracts.

The cherokee is just another airplane with the same engine as the 172. It wont take you more than a couple flights to get used to it and you'll have more experience and another aircraft type to entre into the logbook.

Do yourself a favor and give Steve a call.

Cheers
PR

[JasonHanley]

Steve at classic is by far your best bet. He's a retired airline captain who owns and runs his school with his wife. He will give you all the attention you deserve as he only has the one airplane and he is the only instructor. He's the nicest guy you'll ever meet in aviation and has a whole career of experience to pass on instead of the 500hr time builders at the other schools.

Appreciate the advice, thanks! I've flown Cherokees before but still prefer high wing planes. Something about being able to look almost straight down

I haven't heard anything about Island Coastal yet -- Has anyone tried them? They appear to have Cessnas.

[7ECA]

Montair, Pacific Rim, and Island Coastal are all under Chinese ownership these days. I couldn't tell you what Island Coastal is like though...

[BeaverDreamer]

Island Coastal is definitely the lesser of the 3 evils but Classic is by far the best choice. If you're 100% set on a 172 still just go talk to Steve, he might be able to work something out for you on a different plane.

Another potential option would be to get your float rating at Island Coastal while you do your recurrency. Tom is a great float instructor and YPK is probably the best location for an initial float rating.