Flight Schosl in Vancouver area

oscar_msl · Post by **oscar_msl** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:34 pm

I will get my resident soon.So I will have to convert my ICAO licenses and ratings to canadian.
What Flight Schools do you suggest in Vancouver area?
I have seen by Internet Boundary Bay Airport which has some Flight schools . IFR-PRO, Mont-Air,Canadian Flight Centre,Flight Tech, Pacific Flying School, And Juan Air in Victoria.

Thanks in advance

Oscar

Joe1981 · Post by **Joe1981** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:39 pm

I think Flight Tech is gone - Pacific or Juan Air are good choices

FlyYukon · Post by **FlyYukon** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:32 pm

I'm at Pro-IFR (Professionnal FLight Centre) here at BOundary.. so far everyones been living up to the reputation, and I think Pro is a good choice.

polythene_pam · Post by **polythene_pam** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:44 pm

I concur. You really can't go wrong at Pro.

When you're training, you'll be making contacts that will help you through your whole career. Pro is a large school with a lot of instructors. Get to know them, go for beers with them. Soon, you'll be instructing and they'll be at Pasco putting in a word for you!!

At a smaller school, you simply don't make as many contacts.

I've said in other threads that it's better to go to a school where you can blast through your ppl, cpl and multi-ifr at your own pace. Most people will agree that diploma programs suck for many reasons.

Sure, there are people who will bash JM for being a business man, but hey, he's in a tough business and has to run it. The owners are genuinely nice people who will help you out in any way they can.

Francois is just plain cool. (and slightly crazy)

Their ifr system is very good. It's standardized, so when a company gets a pro grad, they really know what they're getting.

No, I don't work for pro. PFC is a good place too I hear, but not having trained there I can't do a comparison.

Pro is also a great place to go if you'd like to instruct. MOST people who do their ratings there will get work. If you have another job and don't want to leave Vancouver, it's an excellent route to take. You'll be teaching just a few students part time for a while, then if you shine you'll get more and more work. Turnover lately has been good. The people who were just starting instructing 2 or 3 years ago are now teaching in the duchess and getting picked up by pasco, voyageur, etc etc.

JW · Post by JW » Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:10 pm

Hmmmm, that was a wicked commercial for pro but I think he has his licenses and ratings and is just converting them so "blasting" through them really isn't an issue.

Go to Boundary Bay Airport, go to every school on the field and meet some of the instructors and CFI's and then make your decision. Montair is great, Pacific is great, Pro sounds great too so the choice is up to you. Could be worse, you could be dealing with an airport that was full of garbage schools.

JW

FlyYukon · Post by **FlyYukon** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:36 pm

Francois is just plain cool. (and slightly crazy)

Cool.. yes.. crazy? arent all frenchmen?! lol, was a blustery day.. 25g35 for the winds, and I wanted to go flying in the circuit anyways, so Francois came with me and what a great time! LEarned a few tricks.. like how to land with a 25kt crosswind, 30 degrees off the nose. Some cool manouvers too, like "parachuting" and "breaking it off for 07" good times,,,

polythene_pam · Post by **polythene_pam** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 9:12 pm

Hmmmm, that was a wicked commercial for pro but I think he has his licenses and ratings and is just converting them so "blasting" through them really isn't an issue.

Oops! I posted in the wrong thread.. Oh well, still sort of applicable. Not only that, but I've seen many, many people convert through them. Francois has a good relationship with TC and has done many conversions.

In response to that somewhat fasecious comment: Yes, I do highly recommend pro, since that is where I went and had an excellent experience. Many of the personnel have done many good things for me.

I've not had much experience with many other schools, and I'm sure most schools at zbb or surrounding area are eqaually competent

bravo bravo · Post by **bravo bravo** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:29 pm

Whatever school you chose...you cant go wrong with Boundary Bay Airport. There are a bunch of great schools there, and all will be able to offer you the same training, the same licenses and ratings. The difference between the FTUs are the people that operate them...go in and meet with the CFIs and the instructors. Flight training is a business but dont be fooled by the paint jobs and big hypes. If you are going to spend $1 or $40,000, make sure you like the school, the aircraft, the staff, the students and make sure you are comfortable at the school and are going to have a good time, because that's what it's all about.

BB

biggerandsmarterthanu · Fri Apr 28, 2006 11:42 pm

Don't go to pacific unless you plan on going through the BCIT program. It will become hard for you to make bookings at certain points throughout the year. They get priority over you.

fromeasttowest · Post by **fromeasttowest** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 8:36 am

They get priority over you.

Not true

canpilot · Post by **canpilot** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 8:12 pm

TOTALLY TRUE! ..Stick with Pro. No hassels, no b.s. just great instruction.

biggerandsmarterthanu · Sun Apr 30, 2006 10:56 pm

Not true

TRUE

biggerandsmarterthanu · Sun Apr 30, 2006 10:56 pm

Not true

TRUE

Otter envy · Post by **Otter envy** » Mon May 01, 2006 11:54 am

So you are saying, double true?

True.

OK.

Joe1981 · Post by **Joe1981** » Mon May 01, 2006 10:42 pm

Hmmm...haven't seen any problems booking planes at PFC and I've been there a while - you have to book ahead for the 172's especially weekends but every school's like that.

PTP · Post by **PTP** » Fri May 05, 2006 1:51 am

About plane availability,

Pro has about 12 singles.

PFC has 20.

That was a big factor in why I went to pfc. So I'll admit I'm biased. I've heard good things about each school. I think all of the schools at CZBB are solid, and I'd imagine individual instructor differences makes a much bigger difference than what school you are going to.

At the end of the day, it matters most if the instructor has your best interest first. (everyone where I work does.

...but not all do)

At the end of the day I find myself going for a beer (or a dozen) with students and end up talking about careers and life.

So back to the original post; go visit each school, talk to some people. Make your own impressions.

SkyWolfe · Post by **SkyWolfe** » Fri May 05, 2006 8:14 am

I go to PFC and never have many problems booking. Im not sure what the big deal is.

PTP · Post by **PTP** » Sat May 06, 2006 1:36 am

BTW

PFC is putting another 152 online that was aquired from Alberta. They are replacing the engine and putting a ton of cash into it to bring it up to standard.

It's nice to fly aircraft where the AME's actually care.

There is another 172 potentially coming soon.

biggerandsmarterthanu · Sat May 06, 2006 10:56 pm

Do you buy the beer?

Flight Schosl in Vancouver area

Flight Schosl in Vancouver area

They are all great