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SELECTING YOUR FLIGHT TRAINING CENTRE:         A Checklist

We understand that the decision of what school to use is an important one and invite you to compare Pacific Flying Club to other schools.  Here are some answers to frequently asked questions:

IS PACIFIC FLYING CLUB ACCREDITED?  IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Pacific Flying Club is fully accredited by the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia.  We were the first flight training centre in the Lower Mainland to hold this distinction.  (Please note that all schools are required to be registered by PCTIA; accreditation, however, is a voluntary process whereby a school seeks recognition of integrity and quality).  Our advice is to always ensure your school holds this accreditation.

DO I HAVE TO PAY UP FRONT FOR ALL MY TRAINING?

Absolutely not.  All flying is arranged on a pay as you fly basis.  The majority of students and members pay for each flight when flown.  Payment can be made by cash, cheque, Direct Debit, Visa, Mastercard or American Express.  Some students prefer to put a lump sum of credit on account and fly it off.  We strongly advise that students be wary of any flight training centre that insists on a large amount of money to be paid up front.

WHERE IS PFC LOCATED?

We are located in the Flight Centre Building at Boundary Bay Airport which is a 20 minute drive south of Vancouver International Airport.   From Hwy 10, take 72nd Street or 80th Street to Churchill Road and then Skeena Street which ends at PFC!!  Our offices are right on the flight line!!

WHAT’S THE FIRST STEP TO LEARNING TO FLY?

You’ll want to do an introductory flying lesson.  If you love it as much as we do, you’ll want to sign up for groundschool and some lessons.  Simply tell us how often you wish to fly (three times per week is ideal but we have many students who only fly once a week or even once a month) and when you want to fly and we will assign you an instructor who is available when you want to fly.   Your instructor will let you know what supplies to purchase, what to study, when to have an aviation medical and become your new best friend.  We’ll also assign you a secondary instructor who will be available if you want to fly when your primary instructor has a day off or is unavailable. 

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO OBTAIN A PRIVATE PILOT LICENCE?

For each booking, you will likely log approximately 1 – 1.5 hours of flying time.  If you fly 3 days per week, based on an average of 55-60 hours to obtain a licence, you would expect to flight test in about 3 months if you do not lose flights due to weather delays.  If you fly more often, you can be done sooner and if you fly less, you can estimate your time to complete.  You’ll want to build in time for weather delays if you’re flying in our rainy season.  

DO I HAVE TO PAY MEMBERSHIP FEES?

All students and pilots become members of the Club with access to all our facilities and services.  You can pay a yearly membership which gives you a significant discount on all solo flying and checkrides.  This yearly membership is your best opportunity to save money on your flying.  Alternatively, you can purchase a monthly membership where you only pay the membership the actual months you are flying.  Normally a person flying more than 10 solo or rental hours per year and flying six out of twelve months will save money taking advantage of our reduced flying fees by signing up for a yearly membership.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CLUB AND ANY OTHER FLIGHT TRAINING CENTRE?

The Club is a not for profit organization incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia and as such, does not have any owners.  All revenues derived from the Club go towards expenses, improving the fleet and providing no charge seminars.  Unlike other schools, the Club does not charge for pilot seminars such as night flying, mountain flying, etc.    Our latest acquisition is a Level 5 King Air simulator, the only one of its kind at Boundary Bay.  This sophisticated flight training device is used in all training and allows us to introduced advanced simulation into all our programs.   When choosing a flight training centre, ask to see their flight training devices.  Our investment in this technology is a testament to our commitment to providing a quality flight training environment for you.

Other comparisons to make are:

  • Pacific Flying Club prides itself on offering the most extensive insurance coverage of any flight training organization in British Columbia.  Our coverage includes $7.5 million liability on two seat aircraft and $10 million on four seat aircraft.  The minimum legal requirements are $300,000 per seat.
  • Private pilot groundschools at the Club are continuous and once paid, may be taken as many times as desired.  The Club holds groundschools at times that fit your schedule.  Both evening and weekend groundschools are available as well as an online option.
  • The Club has a fleet of over 25 aircraft and is large enough to employ its own maintenance staff dedicated to keep the fleet available for its’ members.  Unlike other schools who may contract their maintenance, we do not have to wait for maintenance on our aircraft.  As well, we have the largest fleet of aircraft among flight training centres in the Lower Mainland – when choosing a school, you want the aircraft and instructors available when you want to fly.
  • Unlike other schools, the Club does not charge for Pilot Training Records or assess administrative fees when a student signs up for a course of instruction.
  • The Club offers weekend seminars for all members and students at no charge.  These seminars offer all participants an opportunity to upgrade their skills and knowledge and are held throughout the year.
  • The Club has large facilities with 7 groundbriefing rooms, large and intermediate size groundschool rooms, onsite Internet access for students and members and comfortable lounges.
  • The Club has more Class 1 Senior Instructors on staff than any other school in the Lower Mainland – as well, we have 4 pilot examiners on staff and 2 authorized examination invigilators
  • The Club is a full participating member of the Air Transport Association of Canada, Canada Business Aircraft Association and the British Columbia Aviation Council.  Our Chief Operating Officer was the Chairman of ATAC in 2002, the first selected from the flight training sector and co-chair of the 2001 ATAC HR Study of Commercial Pilots in Canada
  • Clark Duimel, Director Flight Operations, was awarded the David Charles Abramson Flight Instructor Safety Award in 2006, the only instructor from BC to have been so honored

DOES PACIFIC FLYING CLUB OFFER A FULL RANGE OF FLYING?

We specialize in fixed wing aircraft.  Our IFR department is second to none with the acquisition of a Level 5 King Air simulator.  With the high cost of training and competitive hiring environment, you need the latest in simulation and GPS.  Our twin engined aircraft are all equipped with Garmin 430’s and our simulators are second to none in the Lower Mainland.  For Multi IFR renewals, you don’t have to worry about weather with our ability to conduct your renewal training AND the renewal ride in our Al Sim.  No worries about icing levels or sitting around waiting out the weather.  We can have you in and out in 2-3 days and save you time and at least $1,000 in the process!  PFC is quickly becoming the go-to organization for IFR training in both initial and renewals.   Our partnership with Aerocourse, the Canadian leaders in both IFR and ATPL groundschools is a testament to our commitment to our emphasis on quality and ensuring you are well positioned for a successful career.   

WHAT TYPES OF PLANES DOES PFC OPERATE?

We operate Cessna 152’s, Cessna 172’s, a C-172XP, a Piper Warrior, a brand new 2008 taildragger Citabria and 2 Piper Senecas. 

WHAT ABOUT CLUB ACTIVITIES?

The Club has an active general aviation group who organize flyouts, evening outings, social activities and seminars and weekend information sessions.  Being with such a large organization will allow you to expand your network of contacts in aviation immediately.  Former students of PFC will attest to the fact they made lifelong friends at the Club and advanced their careers through the people they met here.  For people who don’t plan a career in aviation, there is simply no better place.  We aren’t just a counter with staff behind it.  We’ll become the familiar face that always greets you when you come through the door and remembers names years later!  The fact our former staff and students keep in touch with us is one of the great things about working with the Club.   

ARE PFC STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT STUDENT LOANS?

PFC students attending commercial programs may be eligible for government student loans by virtue of our accreditation.  Qualified students must be attending full time and provide proof of a Private Pilot Licence and Category 1 medical prior to applying for a loan.  Students should contact Pat Kennedy for any funding questions.   There are no government loans available for private pilot training.  Our advice to students that may wish to obtain additional funding is to obtain a student line of credit through a conventional financial institution so that there is no interruption in their training.

HOW CAN I REDUCE MY TRAINING COSTS?

Our recommendation is to come prepared for each flight.  Ask your instructor what to study prior to each flight, study your air exercise notes and you’ll reduce the time required to repeat air exercises due to lack of preparation or self study.  You’ll be amazed at how smooth the lesson goes and how much more you can accomplish in the air if you invest some time between lessons in self study and preparation.  As well, statistically, people who take less time to obtain their licence will normally flight test in fewer hours.  The person who can only fly once a month will take more hours to meet flight test standards than the person who flies more often.  Too much time between each lesson can result in the need for repetitive training, particularly if the weather was unsuitable when you had planned to fly.  Hangar flying or visualizing the air exercises and procedures when you are at home is a great way to learn the procedures and it’s free!!

CAN I FLY WITH DIFFERENT INSTRUCTORS DURING MY TRAINING?

You will have a primary instructor who is responsible for your training as well as a secondary instructor.  During your training, you will likely also fly with another instructor who will conduct a preflight test or  possibly a presolo check.  This will increase your comfort level for when you do the flight test.  Our goal is that the flight test be little more than an affirmation flight for you and a chance for you to show you have the “right stuff”!!

AND FINALLY, WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT PACIFIC FLYING CLUB?

You are not a customer at PFC, you are a member.   Our staff will know you by name, not a number.  You’ll become part of our aviation family and begin making aviation friends immediately.  WE LIVE AVIATION.  Our only goal is to make your flying experiences fun, safe, affordable and ensure you obtain your goals!!