Pacific Flying Club

It is unfair to write reviews about a flight school without actually enrolling in their training programs. However, the initial experiences from this place forces me to type out this review. I went there last weekend hoping to meet someone who will answer all my queries about taking up flight training with them. However, I came across students sitting with their feet high up in the chairs playing around with their phones - and that too right at the reception area. This posture of students who were assigned to the reception area initially put me off. Ok. So I started talking with this girl - who I think was forced to sit in the reception for some reason. She didn't talk much and had difficulties understanding my questions (probably because I talk with an accent). She just handed me a brochure and asked me to go through it. I asked her about letter of acceptance (required because I am an international student) and she completely blanked out. After regaining her composure, she said that I may have to email someone named Bal Lidhar and gave me his email address. So I come home all excited and decided to send an email to Bal. Now, Bal is some director and as expected, he doesn't reply to my email. After waiting for a day or two, I decided to use the Contact Form present in their website to post my inquiries. Once again, they do not respond. Bal's email address and another email address are the only two email addresses listed throughout their website. I had sent emails to both these addresses. No one acknowledges or replies back. I wanted to book an introductory lesson from them. I wanted to give them my hard-earned money so that they could teach me how to operate a plane and hopefully help me to take up flying as a career. Yet, this school and the personnel do not seem to be interested. After going through some of the other reviews, it is clear that this school primarily gets its business because of the tie-up it has with BCIT. And because BCIT sends them a steady stream of students every year , they are least bothered about the normal students. They will never respond to any of my emails. Of course I could call and speak with them - but if this is the way I am treated - even before joining up with them - I am wondering what my situation is going to be, once I sign up and pay my dues!

DO NOT fly with pacific flying club. My flights were cancelled multiple times because they priotitize BCIT students over normal students, and they cancel your plane reservations if they don't have enough space to acccomodate the BCIT students. Instructors want money and that's a big thing to them. They purposely make you fly the same things over and over again so they can get instruction money. Think about it, if most of their instructors are new graduates, they're likely using flight instruction to rack up their flying hours. If that's their goal, they won't really care how you do as long as they get money. Their website may seem fancier and more professional than everyone, but once you get into it for a while you start realizing they're not that great. I started in 2014 and they were brilliant, but the school has went downhill since. I finally decided to switch to Sea Land Air in Sept. 2017 and was extremely satisfied with their service. Much more professional and caring compared to this club.

I don’t know what everyone’s complaints are about. Everything is upfront and straight forward. Yes the school is filled with BCIT students however if you have a proper relationship with your instructor you can always work it out and manage time slots and make sure you have a plane. I’ve been here for months and not once have I lost out to another student. Instructors are down to Earth and helpful and customer service is amazing. Don’t listen to the 1% who have poor time management.

Went for a checkout flight as a ppl looking to hire recreationally. Friendly staff. Instructor was fine. The rates are misleading. The wet rate doesn’t include fuel or insurance for a 172, they charge for headsets $5 per hour, and they charge for ‘ground briefing’ time on top. I wasn’t aware of any of this until I recieved my invoice. Be aware the time is on hobbs rather than tacho. The circuit is very busy, this chewed up time on the ground, and as a result I wasn’t allowed to complete the circuit part of the checkout. The aircraft I flew was out of trim, and would be a pain to fly any distance. Condition was acceptable. They charge in 6 minute blocks for ground briefing/debrief time at $60/hr for the instructor. I didn’t get a brief/debrief but was still charged for 0.4 hrs. I wasn’t made aware that I’d be charged for filling out paperwork so this was a surprise. They did offer to have a meeting with the instructor to discuss the ground brief fees. I was invoiced 320 for a 1.1hr checkout flight. Then charged 25 extra at a later date without explanation as they hadn’t put these on the original invoice. Overall the most expensive check out flight I’ve ever had, with the experience tainted by unexpected additions to the rates. I’ll be looking elsewhere for recreational flying.

Low time PPL from the east coast renting here. The most professional flight school I've ever encountered. All the proper procedures and well maintained planes. They have one of the largest selection you'd probably encounter anywhere in canada... That's if you fly cessna of course. I had experience with a few instructors here for the checkout and in general they are knowledgeable and nice. I did encounter someone who's on the opposite side of the spectrum, and condescending to say the least. People are scared of ZBB airspace but honestly it's fine ... Don't make a bit deal out of it... It's one beautiful place to fly in and out. All in all feels like great place to rent and learn to fly.

Didn't even know this airstrip was there .... very quaint little airport.. went on a flying tour... awesome ?

Amazing instruction. Instructors here basically treat you like a real pilot and sets high expectations during your training so you’d learn better and faster. Their training program is very transparent. What you need to do to master a lesson is very clear and concise. No room from scammy business here. PFC is non-profit. Their only focus is to make you a pilot and not money.

Great place to become a good pilot! Big well-maintained fleet, knowledgeable CFIs and quite a few students to connect with on your journey to PPL, CPL or more advanced airmanship.