Hey guys, I know that this is a very popular question here, I've done some research and read some of the links posted in announcements "Choosing a flight school" but I have still some questions and since most of the links are from 2005 I was wondering if things have changed a lot.
So to start with, I'm from Europe, Germany and have been living in Toronto for about 10 months. Now that I settled down a little bit, I wanted to start my PPL. Goal for the end of all of it is the CPL though. I know that there is Toronto Airways in YKZ, Canadian Flyers in YTZ and Markham CNU8, Island Air in YTZ and Brampton Flying Club obviously in Brampton. Now first of all, I'm living in the downtown area of Toronto and I have no car so I have to take the TTC or my bike... So the closest location should be YTZ, but I have to pay for the ferry every time I want to get there and back? How accessible is YKZ and CNU8 by public transit? I don't mind taking the TTC for an hour if that's what it's take to get to my flight school. I haven't been to every single school yet to get further information other than what is on the internet but it appears to me, that the island airport is a little bit more expensive, than the Markham ones. Also it seems further away from the training area.
What would you guys recommend? Is a shorter commute worth the money you have to pay extra to fly in and out of the island airport? I guess Brampton is too far from Downtown Toronto without a car? Out of Toronto Airways, Canadian Flyers and Island Air, which flight school would you recommend? I know that for most part the instructor plays the most important role in flying lessons but I'd still like to see some opinions about the schools. Especially since I read some, let's say not so good, reviews online about Toronto Airways. Also I'm planning on doing the PPL within 10-12 months. Is this a realistic time frame? Of course I want to keep it as cheap as possible but not for every price.
I want to go to the different schools next week and get my own impression and especially further details about the costs but I would really appreciate to hear some opinions/experiences at those schools. I feel like this forum seems to be more professional than the other reviews I read online.

Thank you very much for your help

MIQ wrote:How accessible is YKZ and CNU8 by public transit?

YKZ is about 35 mins from Finch station. Take Viva Blue to 16th Ave, then YRT #85 to YKZ. No pub trans goes to CNU8.

MIQ wrote:I'm planning on doing the PPL within 10-12 months. Is this a realistic time frame?

Yes.

MIQ wrote: Is a shorter commute worth the money you have to pay extra to fly in and out of the island airport?

That descision is one you will have to make. All things considered, I would think training out of the Island would cost more. Not sure what the hourly rental difference is, but if it is $10 more, then over 50 hours that's an extra $500. HOWEVER, that $500 would be money well spent if you get an instructor at cytz who you get along with, and can teach you efficiently (by that I mean not training you for 60 hours when 50 will do).

You seem to know what you have to do. Get out there and meet the instructors and ask questions. Good luck!

If it helps your decision, there is now no charge for the YTZ ferry. The disadvantage of YTZ is the distance to the practice area, but that travel time CAN be used effectively, if instructor and student are willing and moderately resourceful. An advantage (which is also a bit of a disadvantage) is that it is in busy controlled airspace, so once you're licensed you will be comfortable flying just about anywhere, although there may be some traffic delays getting in and out.

Good luck with your training, and whatever school you choose, you're in for a great adventure!

Thank you very much for your replies!

Dagwood, that's what I thought too. I don't mind paying a little bit more at the end, if this money is being used in a efficient manner. Since I live close to Bathurst and Bloor, the Island Airport would be a much more convenient commute than Markham. But you're right, I definitely have to leave the house and show up at the different schools to get an own impression.

tca, good to know about the ferry! I guess I'll check it out tomorrow. Those disadvantages just seem to be minor ones. Considering that it would take me 1 1/2 hrs to get to Markham, I'd rather spend this time on a plane flying to the training area instead of on a TTC subway train doing nothing...

One last thing before I'm going to check out the schools. I've compared the prices of the schools (as much as possible with the information given on their webpage) and noticed that there doesn't seem to be a big difference between TAL in YKZ and Island Air in YTZ. The dual on a C150 is 197$/hr at YKZ and 197,50$/hr with Island Air at YTZ. The solo is 127$/hr with TAL and 140$/hr with Island Air. That really just seems to be a minor price difference to me. Is there something fishy about Island Air that I don't know about or why do they seem to be so 'cheap'? Canadian Flyers doesn't provide much information about their costs but it seems like a dual is 225$/hr and the solo is 165$/hr (on the 172 though). I know that it doesn't really matter if you train on the 172 or 150...
So anyone with specific experience with Island Air? Are there any hidden fuel surcharges with any of the named above?
That was my last question for now Thank you!

I've done training at Island Air. Good instructors; the aircraft are meticulously maintained, even if the paintwork is a little shabby in places.

So I went out there and checked them out. At the end I decided for Canadian Flyers and I'll have my introductory flight tomorrow.

Just another question, is here anybody doing his PPL/CPL on a student visa as an international student? I've heard that the first six months on your student visa, you're not able to get a working permit. Calling Canada Imigration Offices unfortunately didn't help. Called 3 times and got 3 different information on that.

MIQ wrote:So I went out there and checked them out. At the end I decided for Canadian Flyers and I'll have my introductory flight tomorrow.

Just another question, is here anybody doing his PPL/CPL on a student visa as an international student? I've heard that the first six months on your student visa, you're not able to get a working permit. Calling Canada Imigration Offices unfortunately didn't help. Called 3 times and got 3 different information on that.

Hi, How was flying training at Canadian Flyers ? would you recommend it ?

I have nothing but good things to say about Canadian Flyers. Maybe my personal case was a little different but Canadian Flyers provided a great flight school environment and helped me to finish my training in a efficient and timely manner. No complaints here. I started flying with them when they were still at the Island Airport. They were forced to relocate and their only location at this point is Makham CNU8. While it is an entirely different environment out there, I do not regret that I stayed with them. The cost is comparably cheap and Markham is a great training airport. The runway is relatively short with only 2000ft and the practice area is barely 5 minutes away. I would recommend going out there, checking out the airport, talking to a few instructors and book an intro flight. Despite of what I'm saying I would also recommend checking out other flight schools so that you can make the right choice for yourself. If you are in the GTA, and depending on how far of a drive it is for you, I would recommend Spectrum in Burlington as well as Brampton Flying Club in Brampton. Heard good things from both those places as well. Good luck!