What to do?

Caiss · Post by **Caiss** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:57 pm

This week i called orizon aviation school and asked them how much it would cost to get my private liscense, they said 9 500$.

I live in Quebec city and im pretty sure thats the only school here, i find it pretty expensive but i guess it's pretty much the same everywhere. My goal is to eventually get my commercial liscense but i dont know what route to take. Since my grandfather has 2 airplanes Cessna 182 and Arion k?(don't know how it's spelled) tailed wheel airplane, 2 seater. I could probably get to use one of those airplanes but he lives in the gaspesian coast. Thats about 6 hours from where i live. There is no aviation schools there, closest is probably in frederiction, i think theres one there, and my grandfather said there used to be a guy that instructed in charlo airport but hes not sure if he still does.

I heard i could get recreational liscense and then train on my grandfathers airplane but the school told me if i was doing this to get my commercial liscense it would be better to get private liscense right away. i was wondering if they were just saying that to get more money or if its true? They also said i might not save money using my grandfathers planes because insurance will make the cost about the same, i find it kind of hard to believe, what do you guys think?

If i would train on them in quebec city would i have to get my grandfather to fly them here and find a spot to rent them or what??

I would appreciate it if someone could help me with this.

Thanks.

Lommer · Post by **Lommer** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:19 pm

My opinion:
1)How many hours did they quote you $9500 for? If it's for the 45 hour mins that's a ripoff. If it's the average cost that's not totally unreasonable. You should be able to do it on your grandfather's planes for less though.

2) Skip the Rec. permit if you want to go for your CPL, you'll just be wating time and money on extra exams, etc. If you're just in it for a hobby or are gonna be really laid back about flight training, sure, get it. But if you're gunning for a CPL you don't need it.

3) Definitely find a way to train on your grandfathers planes. I find it very hard to imagine that insurance will make up the cost difference of using someone else's plane. Also, any freelance instructor can teach you on your grandfather's planes since you're family (you don't need a flight school). If you can find a qualified instructor and your grandfather is willing, see if you can train on his taildragger right from the beginning. Tailwheel instructors with good availability are hard to find, but it will make you a much better pilot in the long run and is in my opinion totally worth it.

4) Train wherever you can find a good instructor with good availability. If this is where you live, ferry the plane down. If it's where your grandfather lives, pack your bags. Planes are mobile, and long-term parking shouldn't be too expensive at small airports.

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:04 pm

The school where teach quotes $10K for a PPL. This covers an 'average' figure of 55Hrs. It also includes all costs. ie. Ground school, books, licence fees, medical, taxes etc. This removes all surprises as far as extra costs go.

Now, the issue of why 55hrs is an average figure these days is another story.

fingersmac · Post by **fingersmac** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:04 pm

If you're a Quebec resident and fluent in French why not give CEGEP Chicoutimi a shot. It's a hard school to get into but the training is almost free! Last time I heard you get PPL, CPL and either Float endorsement, MIFR (on a Navajo) or Helicopter license.

http://www.cegep-chicoutimi.qc.ca/cqfa/cqdec.htm

Checkout the link for more accurate information.

Caiss · Post by **Caiss** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:16 am

Thanks for the replies, The reason why i wasn't thinking about the cegep is because i live at my parents house and i figured that paying rent, food and school would come to about the same price. Maybe a little less but not by very much.

What is the best way to find a freelance instructor? i don't really know where or how i could find one. maybe search on the net for one? It does sound like a good idea though.

Nappy · Post by **Nappy** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 1:31 pm

Well, CPL will cost you over 30 000$, and the course in chicoutimi is 3 years, with average rent of a 4 1/2 around 550$ all inclusive (two years ago), so split it with a roommate is it is not much at all... plus, at the CQFA, you get top quality training on great machines. If you want to do your helicopter, it's on a Bell 206 (all you hours turbine), Multi IFR, Navajo (very expensive to rent) and bush plane, C-185 (again expensive to rent) but the bush course has taken a turn for the worst 4 years ago, when they bought amphibs and got ride of the base at lac sebastien.... The only thing is that It's is a CEGEP course, to you need french, physics, etc... and you won't fly for the frist year. But you will graduate with 240-250 hours plus... As far as costs goes.. TC exams (tawx deductible) and CEGEP fees (about 100$ per year as I recall... maybe a bit more)

But if you can get your grandfater's planes in Quebec, well DEFENITELY cheaper than taking the planes at horizon to do your course.

So big advantages both ways, oh, and chicoutimi is pretty much dead during the winter....

Nappy · Post by **Nappy** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 1:34 pm

Oh, and for a freelance, check the flight clubs, might be some there or members that are instructors that may be willing to freelance for ya.