I just flew into the Springbank airport for the first time about 2 weeks ago while on a cross-country from Abbotsford to Calgary. I agree that the approach process is a little complicated, especially while coming from the South (you end up talking to Calgary Terminal, which then hands you over to Springbank), but nothing terrible - if you've never dealt with a controlled airport before, it might take a bit of getting used to, but otherwise it was fine. Calgary Terminal was very friendly - when they asked me to report over a local point, I just told them I wasn't familiar with the airport, and they gave me vectors all the way in. Wouldn't hesitate to go back. Springbank was also friendly, providing ground directions & advice.
Reply to @dazuppa: I'm not sure how long you flew around the Springbank area but as someone who's flown out of CYBW for the past decade I can assure you that your experience with ATC is not the norm. In fact, the controllers at CYBW are as friendly as they come; more so if you are friendly from the start.
CYBW is one of the busiest GA airports and serves both training pilots and training controllers. Inner/outer tower is a both a necessity and a great learning experience at the same time. If you walked away thinking otherwise then it's an opportunity missed. I've flown across the country and found that the Calgary-area airspace is second in complexity only to the GTA. If you can handle CYYC/CYBW you can handle anything.
Finally, having done training and rentals (before purchasing a PA32) at most of the schools located at CYBW, I can also say that your experience at CFC is not typical. I would consider both SATC and CFC to be the same in most respects. The biggest difference between the two is that SATC is a commerical operation whereas CFC is more of a 'club' and therefore offers a richer experience (and cheaper fuel) for all pilots.
Strategically Springbank is placed in an excellent place - right next to the "entrance" between the mountains which leads directly to Banff, Lake Louise and other natural marvels of the Canadian Rockies.
Unfortunately, control zone for this airport is just messed up. You are getting handed from inner tower to the outer tower to terminal to whatever... all that to just get out of the airport! Not very friendly for non-locals, too. I've got a nasty commentary: "Get a VTA" when asked the tower for a local reporting point, stating that I'm unfamiliar with the area. Best advice - study the freaking place in advance and specifically compare what you see on the map with what you see on the Google Maps! You'll be surprised how different those look.
Calgary Flying Club, a major flight school at Springbank, is one of those indifferent money-drainers which sell you the crappiest planes for the highest price, and never forget to apply funny additional fees. Their instructor didn't even say "hi" to me when he first saw me to go for a checkout! Was like: "That's you? Ok, let's go". Two people at the counter, yet you have to fill a bunch of forms yourself.
Luckily they have a SATC (Springbank Air Training College) there, where people are genuinely friendly and useful, and making you wish to stay. Also much cheaper prices and no membership fee comparing to CFC - at the same airport! How's that? They didn't hesitate a second to show me their planes (CFC guys did not permit me to even touch a plane I'm going to fly without an instructor "supervising" the process). SATC planes were in much better shape than those of CFC and their instructors were positive, fun and knowledgeable. Can only recommend them for both renters and students.
CFC has the cheapest price for fuel at the airport, more so if you're a member. If you purchase more than 500 litres of fuel a year and can handle getting your fuel between 7am and 7pm, then you are advised to purchase a yearly CFC membership.
Calgary / Springbank Airport
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I just flew into the Springbank airport for the first time about 2 weeks ago while on a cross-country from Abbotsford to Calgary. I agree that the approach process is a little complicated, especially while coming from the South (you end up talking to Calgary Terminal, which then hands you over to Springbank), but nothing terrible - if you've never dealt with a controlled airport before, it might take a bit of getting used to, but otherwise it was fine. Calgary Terminal was very friendly - when they asked me to report over a local point, I just told them I wasn't familiar with the airport, and they gave me vectors all the way in. Wouldn't hesitate to go back. Springbank was also friendly, providing ground directions & advice.
That was my comment; just realized I wasn't logged in.
Reply to @dazuppa: I'm not sure how long you flew around the Springbank area but as someone who's flown out of CYBW for the past decade I can assure you that your experience with ATC is not the norm. In fact, the controllers at CYBW are as friendly as they come; more so if you are friendly from the start.
CYBW is one of the busiest GA airports and serves both training pilots and training controllers. Inner/outer tower is a both a necessity and a great learning experience at the same time. If you walked away thinking otherwise then it's an opportunity missed. I've flown across the country and found that the Calgary-area airspace is second in complexity only to the GTA. If you can handle CYYC/CYBW you can handle anything.
Finally, having done training and rentals (before purchasing a PA32) at most of the schools located at CYBW, I can also say that your experience at CFC is not typical. I would consider both SATC and CFC to be the same in most respects. The biggest difference between the two is that SATC is a commerical operation whereas CFC is more of a 'club' and therefore offers a richer experience (and cheaper fuel) for all pilots.
Strategically Springbank is placed in an excellent place - right next to the "entrance" between the mountains which leads directly to Banff, Lake Louise and other natural marvels of the Canadian Rockies.
Unfortunately, control zone for this airport is just messed up. You are getting handed from inner tower to the outer tower to terminal to whatever... all that to just get out of the airport! Not very friendly for non-locals, too. I've got a nasty commentary: "Get a VTA" when asked the tower for a local reporting point, stating that I'm unfamiliar with the area. Best advice - study the freaking place in advance and specifically compare what you see on the map with what you see on the Google Maps! You'll be surprised how different those look.
Calgary Flying Club, a major flight school at Springbank, is one of those indifferent money-drainers which sell you the crappiest planes for the highest price, and never forget to apply funny additional fees. Their instructor didn't even say "hi" to me when he first saw me to go for a checkout! Was like: "That's you? Ok, let's go". Two people at the counter, yet you have to fill a bunch of forms yourself.
Luckily they have a SATC (Springbank Air Training College) there, where people are genuinely friendly and useful, and making you wish to stay. Also much cheaper prices and no membership fee comparing to CFC - at the same airport! How's that? They didn't hesitate a second to show me their planes (CFC guys did not permit me to even touch a plane I'm going to fly without an instructor "supervising" the process). SATC planes were in much better shape than those of CFC and their instructors were positive, fun and knowledgeable. Can only recommend them for both renters and students.
CFC has the cheapest price for fuel at the airport, more so if you're a member. If you purchase more than 500 litres of fuel a year and can handle getting your fuel between 7am and 7pm, then you are advised to purchase a yearly CFC membership.
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