The world's second largest country has diverse environments where you can learn how to fly. This article is for those unfamiliar with Canada and aims to answer critical questions for your flight training:
Where can you save money?
Where can you finish training faster?
What type of experience will you gain?
Where do you have the best chances to start a successful aviation career?
I wrote this guide to help you make the best decision for your case. It breaks down different areas of Canada into what you can expect from flight training experience, lifestyle, living costs, climate and more. It’s the information I wish I had 10 years ago before I immigrated.
British Columbia
If you like ecotourism, hiking or simply just staying outdoors – this is the place to be. The westernmost province of Canada combines valleys, mountain ranges, glaciers, fjords and has the overall best scenery. Mountains cover most of the province and nature is largely untouched.
It has the mildest winter in Canada. It rarely snows by the coast temperatures will generally stay above 0°C throughout the year. In the mountainous interior there will be snow throughout the winter season due to high elevation but the negative temperatures are reasonable.
However, BC's climate has its drawbacks. The mountains block the moisture from reaching the interior resulting in constant rainfall by the coast (a phenomenon called orographic rain). Many days of rain and low visibility will cancel your training flights throughout the year and slow your progress.
If you plan on flying into the interior there will be additional challenges. The mountainous geography limits your options for night flying, weather limits are stricter and many flight schools require a mountain check flight.
British Columbia, specifically the greater Vancouver area, is the most expensive place to live in Canada. The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Vancouver is $3,000. A 2-bedroom $3,900.
Moreover, the province has the highest gas and car insurance costs. Housing and transportation will eat up your budget much more here – that’s money you could use for your flight hours. Flight training is already an expensive endeavor, if your finances are tight then BC is not the place for you.
The local economy is relatively strong with plenty of people moving into the province annually (contributing to the housing crisis). Most of the aviation industry is in the lower mainland area, but an entry level aviation job won’t pay enough for you to live here.
Overall, British Columbia is the most comfortable place to live in Canada – the climate and geography make it for a more enjoyable lifestyle. Your training will be pleasurable with the temperatures, no need to worry about icing or snow, it has amazing views and destinations. If money is not an issue this is a great place to start your flight training in Canada. Finding a decent job that lets you afford living there is tough. For an entry-level pilot job it's virtually impossible - and the reason why I left the province.
Prairies
Provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
These three provinces are the agricultural heart of Canada: a giant and open sky over flat farmland with a couple towns in between. The climate here is dry and it is where the sun shines the most. For a student pilot this translates into more flying days and less cancellations for weather. If you want to progress fast in your training this is the place to be.
The temperature here ranges from hot summers (35°C) to severe winters (-35°C). I live in Canada’s coldest city (Winnipeg) and even in the middle of winter you still get days of -5°C and -10°C. Those temperatures on a sunny day make it a comfortable winter flight. Once you’re wearing proper clothing and acclimatized, those temperatures won’t stop you. It’s during the -40°C or blizzard days that you won’t go to the flight school, and many of them have their own cold weather policy – worth asking your school.
The scenery here will be boring for the most part. You’ll see farms until the end of the horizon, although they’re usually divided by roads into squares and that helps with navigation.
Exceptions: Western Alberta (Rocky Mountains) and eastern Manitoba (Canadian Shield).
One benefit of the prairies is the low cost of living. The real estate market is stable and as far as Canada is concerned, you have the most affordable places to rent or buy. Saskatchewan and Manitoba have an agriculture-focused and slow, but growing, economy. Other than Winnipeg, Regina, and Saskatoon, these two provinces only have smaller towns with not much going on.
Alberta has a more dynamic and stronger economy thanks to its large oil and gas industry. This is the more business-friendly and affordable province. It has the lowest gas prices, lower personal income tax rates and is the only province that doesn’t charge sales tax. With two large cities (Calgary and Edmonton), several spots to enjoy nature (eg Banff, Jasper), and the most affordable lifestyle – I would rank Alberta as the best province in Canada.
Ontario
My views over Ontario come in a mixed bag. It’s the most populated province accounting for 38% of Canadian population, thus it has the most opportunities in aviation. At the same time, the industry is concentrated in the GTA – Greater Toronto Area. Toronto has become an incredibly expensive city and you are unlikely to find an entry-level aviation job to keep up with the local living costs.
The unaffordability crisis has also spread to southern Ontario. If you aren’t keen on the big city or financially imprudent life, Ontario has other places to choose from. Thunder Bay and Sudbury are decent sized places surrounded by nature and away from Toronto. London and Ottawa remain close by, but not enough for a daily Toronto commute. There's also Northwest Ontario if bush flying is of your interest.
The weather is milder than the prairies and you will get reasonable moisture living close to the great lakes. Among the benefits of a large population is the robust economy and more options when it comes to flight training – more schools and more airports to choose from.
Quebec
Since French is the only official language here, I do not recommend this province you already speak it. Classes and radio communications will be in French. At busy airports you might hear both French and English, even then it’s not great for situational awareness.
Maritimes
New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador
The four Atlantic provinces are small both in size and population. They have a stagnant economy and not much going in their favor. It’s common to see residents of these provinces move out for better employment opportunities in other areas of Canada, this certainly applies to aviation.
Due to its proximity to the ocean, the climate is mild and humid. Often windy and lots snowstorms in winter. For your flight training, you will have extra flight cancellations due to weather. The local airspace is generally low density, with less traffic you are freer to practice in the airspace which is great when you start out, but as you advance you want to get experience handling traffic while flying.
On the good side, living in these provinces is affordable for Canadian standards and you might see some icebergs floating on the sea in springtime!
Territories
Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Territories are special jurisdictions in the north of Canada administered by the federal government, they are large and remote lands by the arctic ocean. Surprisingly there are two flight schools here - one in Yukon and one in the Northwest Territories!
By choosing either of these you’re agreeing to live in a very small town with few amenities of modern life. Thanks to the high latitude you’ll also have a long and brutal winter with many hours of darkness. As explained in my adventure flight to the Northwest Territories, the northern isolation also means very few airports options to train.
The only positives I can imagine is that you’ll be surrounded by pristine nature and will see the northern lights often.
Worth noting that aviation has a huge role in northern Canadian communities and many pilots get their first flying or ramp jobs in the north - this also applies to provinces, but to an ever greater extent in the territories.
Summary
Canada has many different options for flight training depending on your needs and wants. While this guide is a good starting point, don't skip researching the specific area and flight schools that interest you to ensure a successful and happy journey ahead.
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