Seaplane Academy/Fort Langley Air

[Randleman]

Hey everyone,

I was looking into getting my float rating from both Seaplane Academy on Vancouver Island, and Fort Langley Air in Langley. Can anyone give me any feedback on either of these schools? Which would be more worth it?

Cheers
J

[floatplanepilot]

Fort Langley Air was the place to do it, but now that Dave has passed away Im not sure how good it is. The new CP I know has bent a few airplanes in her time so Im not sure I'd want to do it with her... The owner John is a good guy...

Basically find the oldest most experienced guy out there to do it with.

[MetalGearSolid]

I was thinking of going to the seaplane academy myself but the prices just rocketed in the last few days.

7hr course was 1,499+GST, now 2,100+GST and 1,800+GST off season.

50hr course was 13,000+GST, now 15,000+GST.

Now, I'm not so sure.

[Cat Driver]

Randy had the low price as a start up offering with a Cessna 172.

He has now raised his price close to the industry standard and is using a Cessna 180.

Considering he is one of the highest time sea plane pilots in Canada offering training I think his rates are to low.

[yzfer]

I got in and did it on Randy's 172, best experience ever. Probably still well worth it in his 180.

[FLATP]

Hey everyone,

I was looking into getting my float rating from both Seaplane Academy on Vancouver Island, and Fort Langley Air in Langley. Can anyone give me any feedback on either of these schools? Which would be more worth it?

Cheers
J

Hey,
Did you make a choice and could you provide a little experience feed back.
I was thinking that while the weather holds might be a good time to get an endorsement
thanks.

[larrythepilot]

In this economy even an advanced 50 hour float course is not going to get you a flying job. Right now I know many pilots who have considerably higher time on floats than 50 hours and are unemployed, or at least not working as pilots. It would probably be in your best interest to save your money and wait until things considerably pick up before spending your money on something as expensive as a float rating.

[CoastFloater]

In this economy even an advanced 50 hour float course is not going to get you a flying job. Right now I know many pilots who have considerably higher time on floats than 50 hours and are unemployed, or at least not working as pilots. It would probably be in your best interest to save your money and wait until things considerably pick up before spending your money on something as expensive as a float rating.

Good idea! Stop all your training everyone...don't get licensed until there is a guarantee to have a job!!

Sorry, but my way of thinking is in low times where jobs aren't as plentiful, one should concentrate on learning and obtaining more training so when jobs do come up your personal marketability is much higher. Why not be the guy on the top of the list ready to go than the guy saying "I should be flight testing within the next week or two depending on weather"?!

If you are a commercial student and busy learning to fly right now, get a 7/25/50 hr course and use it as some expensive time building. At least the marginal cost increase will give you more skills, a new outlook on a different type of flying, an opportunity to really pick the brain of someone flying for a living, and a chance to get a job flying through the contacts of an industry pilot.

I personally know a lot of low timers that obtained jobs in the industry this past summer so keep at 'er...there are still some jobs.