Testimonials

I heard about Air-Hart Aviation through a good friend and fellow pilot in Grande Prairie, AB who brought forward some advantages of taking my float rating in Kelowna, BC rather than on the West Coast somewhere, advantages being no "Olympics" and the biggest one being the weather. I had a great feeling the moment I contacted Debra for more information on the 50hr Professional Seaplane Course, she had an answer for every question I had about the course and their operation, and more importantly, to me, very enthusiastic. The optional pilot suite that they offer was much more than I ever expected, and very reasonably priced. I felt right at home the moment I arrived.

I started my training at 0800 the morning after my 12hr drive from Grande Prairie, with an extensive brief on floats and float planes with Ty, followed by a heart felt "are you sure your not too tired from the drive" to go for my first set of circuits on the beautiful Lake Okanogan. This told me that my instructor cared about how I felt and was very safety conscious. After the first take off in the C-180J I was hooked, the 51.7hrs of training that followed were by far the most detailed and precise attitude (eyes outside) flying I have ever had the privilege to learn. Ty has attributes as a pilot, that in my opinion, every pilot should strive for, a very high level of professionalism and a wicked sense of humor, this makes flying with him a treat. I'm confident in stating that I am a better pilot following this 50hr course. I also have to mention the scenery is breathtaking. Air-Hart has come up with a very diverse set of x-c trips to teach their students the skills of not only flying float planes, but also the navigational, and decision making skills a pilot needs to fly in the mountains. This terrain can be very very unforgiving if not given the utmost respect, and am proud to say that Air-Hart taught me a great deal about this respect for the mountains.

So, if your thinking of flying floats, I highly recommend, not only the 7hr float rating, but the 50hr Professional Seaplane Course@ Air-Hart Aviation, it "will" make you a better pilot. Thank you soooo!!! much Dave, Deb and Ty.

Michel Marceau, Grande Prairie, Alberta

Commercial License Training/50 Hour Float Course 
 

After completing my private pilot license in Vancouver, I had some decisions to make about where to take my commercial training. I got into aviation to fly floatplanes, so it only seemed obvious to take a large portion of my training on floats. From there it came down to a couple things. The types of aircraft operated by the flight training unit and the attitude of the instructors and the institution.

Air-Hart offered constant speed prop time on all aircrafts. This was a big plus when trying to get a job later on. As well, very few other places offered true solo time. Most offer supervised solo, which doesn’t give you that same confidence over time that is required of you as a pilot. It’s a lot different without someone “looking over your shoulder”. The comfortable setting and the approach of the instructors really had me interested from my first contact with them. They want you to leave confident and competent in all aspects of what they teach. Rough and glassy water, external loads, various types of step work. It is all taught here with safety and the student’s thorough understanding in mind.
 

My CPL training went very smoothly. I was happy with the input and timely fashion that they were able to accommodate me with. The in depth and personal approach of the instructors made sure I was at a comfortable level of proficiency for my flight and written tests. Kelowna is an ideal place to train. Not only is it a beautiful place to stay, but you get the added advantage of the mountain flying experience as well.

Another point I’d like to make is the operator that hired me chose me over other applicants that had higher total times. The difference was that I had more float time and the 50 hour float course and CPL training I received at Air-Hart really gave me an edge to get my first flying job. My experience there was something I will always remember and appreciate.

Jamie Coxall, Former CPL Student

 

50 Hour Bush Course

                                                                                                                                                                                       
I started flying in August, 2004 and finished my commercial license including a float rating from Brampton Flying Club in August 2005. My goal since starting to fly was to work on a float plane in the Maldives.

A friend of mine suggested I try Air-Hart in Kelowna. I looked them up and before long, I found myself booking tickets to go to Kelowna for a 50 hour professional float course. This was in November 2005. I learned from great instructors with real world experience and knowledge and not afraid to share it.

I was put into some pretty tough situations and asked to resolve them. I even experienced my first dunk in the water during an off-site docking that I did on my own when the water was 8 Celcius… Brr (I know Trevor will be chuckling about that story).

In early December I came back to Toronto with my new float hours and commercial license. I could have waited to the spring and try and find something to do, but instead decided to get an instructor rating.. .what could it hurt. I started instructing at Brampton and when the spring rolled around, I found myself instructing on their 172 Amphib because of my float time and did that along with normal instructing for a year.

Armed and ready to go it was time to venture out. After a short job on a taildragger in northern Ontario I had the opportunity I was hoping for. A job instructing at Air-Hart in Kelowna doing Tours and Charters and training for people looking for PPL or CPL licenses on floats, as well as float ratings. Within a few weeks I was working at Air-Hart !

It was an awesome summer !.. I got to fly over the Rocky Mountains to go and be in a movie in Alberta, met lots of great passengers, flew for couple who got married in the plane and even took my wife for a swim in a remote mountain lake by floatplane. Like I said, I have fond memories of Air-Hart and always will.

The summer came to an end and I had decided it was time to give it a go to get to the Maldives. I packed my bags and traveled to Perimeter Aviation in Winnipeg where I finished my Multi-IFR and immediately applied to work at Kenn Borek Air in Calgary to fly in the Maldives.

As luck would have it, that all worked out and here I am, working as a First Officer for Maldivian Air Taxi flying a Twin Otter on Floats ! There are even a few FO’s here that I gave float ratings to ! I have lots of time now from the combination of instructing and float hours and hope to Captain here within 6-7 months. I owe Air-Hart a huge thanks for the training, experience and memories.

I hope you keep doing the same job for many years to come. :->

Mike Caspar, ATPL
First Officer, Twin Otter on Floats, Maldivian Air Taxi 

50 Hour Bush Course

I was a commercial pilot student with 150 hours. I wanted to go the bush route for my first flying job and not the instructor route. I asked around and found out that most float companies require 50 hours of float time for an entry-level position. I heard about Air-Hart Aviation's 50 Hour Bush Pilot Course and thought that it would be perfect for my situation. Being able to do float training in the winter would allow me to be ready for the start of the float season in the spring. The fifty hours would give me the total time requirement for my commercial licence and an edge when applying for that first job. I also needed to put in dual time; I thought I would learn more by completing my dual while flying a floatplane in the mountains instead of flying a C-172 in a practice area.I was able to complete fifty hours of float flying and my commercial flight test within one month, putting me in a good position for employment in the summer. I was employed at Courtesy Air for the summer starting the middle of May 2001. I started working on the dock and within one month I was flying there C-185 on floats. I flew 100 hours in the C-185 and a couple in a Beaver before I had to go back to school to finish my Commercial Pilot Diploma at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology.If I had another chance to do it again I wouldn’t change a thing. Airhart Aviation's 50 hour course helped me in attaining that all-important first job; the staff was always very courteous and willing to help and I had a great time flying in the Rocky Mountains.

Steven McBain, White Fox, SK
 

 7 Hour Seaplane Endorsement

                                                                                                                                                                                             In the summer of 2007 my friend Travis Burrows'  and I earned our Float Endorsements at Air-Hart.  We took two weeks off work just after our high school graduation to drive from Calgary, AB and lived out of the back of his two-door Mustang in the campground down the street.  We had a great time and learned alot.  I have  recommended your operation to anyone that I know  that is thinking of a float endorsement.

My float endorsement has made me a much better pilot.  I am now a certified aircraft NDT inspector and still fly regularly, and Travis flies a C206 for a regional carrier in Alberta.  The following year we had two of our friends follow our footsteps.  One of them is training on a C208B in the Arctic and the other is a Class 3 flight instructor in Calgary.  Our float ratings have helped us get ahead of the pack in this competitive industry.

Colin Heuven, Calgary, AB