Shopping for flying schools in BC Lower Mainland

[Aug]

Hello all...I am new to the forum

I am looking at undertaking my PPL this fall and I am currently shopping for flying schools in the Lower Mainland of BC..

Geographically, Langley BC works for me the best, and there are two schools to choose from ...Langley Flying School (Cherokee's) and Skyquest (172's)

Has anyone here been to either of these two schools and if so, what did they think? Did they get their money's worth and do they think that they are good schools for the PPL (Not gonna do commercial)?

Having said that, what are the opinions of other schools around the Lower Mainland? I know that 3Lines and Abbotsford Flight Centre are gone...

TIA!

Aug

[visual approach]

I have not been there myself, but I have heard a lot of good things about Skyquest. Professional staff and good machines.

[North Shore]

Go yourself and "interview" them. You are the consumer here, and you are going to be spending a schwack of cash there, so make sure that you are comfortable with the outfit. Is it well kept? Floors clean, Hangar clean and well-lit, tools neatly organised? A/C look to be in good shape? What are the instructors like? You'll be spending a fair amount of time shoulder-to-shoulder with them, so if you don't think that you'll get along with one, then perhaps consider someone/where else..

I'm sure if you look through here you'll find no end of posts about finding and selecting a flight school.

[wxnut]

Langley Flying School Rocks my friend... i did a fam with them and it was fantastic. It's like a little community by it self and it becomes like a family. Relatively small and fun

Langley Airport's definately a good airport to practice precise approaches on Runway 01/19.

Good Luck !

[Aug]

Go yourself and "interview" them. You are the consumer here, and you are going to be spending a schwack of cash there, so make sure that you are comfortable with the outfit. Is it well kept? Floors clean, Hangar clean and well-lit, tools neatly organised? A/C look to be in good shape? What are the instructors like? You'll be spending a fair amount of time shoulder-to-shoulder with them, so if you don't think that you'll get along with one, then perhaps consider someone/where else..

I'm sure if you look through here you'll find no end of posts about finding and selecting a flight school.

As a matter of fact, I did do just that with the two flight schools.. it seems that each have their own strengths..such as Langely having 15 instructors , Piper low wings and instructor written study materials with Skyquest having better a/c availability, nicer looking facilities and fewer students...

Just looking for opinions from people who have actually been through the programs...

[mavtar]

so does anyone have more info on these two schools?
experiences?
any knowledge on the history of the schools?

[ragequit]

.

[AirFrame]

I haven't used either school for instruction, but I share a hangar with one of Skyquest's instructors. He gave me a checkout before I bought my RV, and i've flown with him a few times in his own aircraft. He's exactly the type of person you want for an instructor... Patient, thorough, and seems to know just how much workload to give you without overloading you.

I agree with the previous suggestions that you go talk to some instructors at each school and see which one you like best. I understand that LFS has been there longer, I don't know if that matters or not. Learning in Cessnas vs. learning in Pipers will be a personal choice... Do you like low wings or high wings? If you don't know, go for a fam flight with each outfit, and see for yourself. It won't cost much in the grand scheme of things.

[aV1aTOr]

I'd recommend LFS. I've never been to Skyquest so no comment about that school. I attended LFS from 0 time to CPL multi IFR and IATRA. I went from there to my first job as FO in a B1900D. Great staff, and as has been mentioned, it's like a family environment. Also the cherokee is a wonderful training machine. Very stable and makes an easy transition to the Piper Seneca for multi training.

[TA/RA]

Having been to LFS, CFC, PFC & CPA. I highly recommend LFS to anyone who asks me