Gander Flight Training​

Enrolling at GFT was one of the best decisions I ever made. I knew the flight school was different from many other in Canada as it offered a unique training experience due to challenging weather. GFT and EVAS Air provided me opportunities to grow and progress in my aviation career. Along with flying skills, a professional pilot requires focus, discipline and a good attitude. My time at GFT and EVAS working with an amazing set of people allowed me to learn all that and more.

In 1994 I started my flying career at the age of 15 at GFT. It took dedication and a sharp focuse to the finish line. For me, that finish line was to become an Air Canada Captain. GFT’s location has phenomenal potential for real life experience and training that most places around the world just cannot offer. My career thus far has been one that I am proud of and it all started from enrolling at GFT.

My love for aviation started back before I could walk watching planes take off and land at Gander airport. It was always a dream for me to be a pilot and thanks to GFT that dream came through. Right from my introduction flight to private, commercial, multi IFR, dispatcher for EVAS, first officer on the 1900D and then captain. GFT has been with me the whole way. I met so many life long friends and role models here. I’ll always be proud to say where I came from and know because of the rough Newfoundland weather I got some of the best training experiences you can have. This place will always be a big part of me and I give forever thanks to that.

Gander Flight Training’s professional staff and flight instructors provided me the training and skill to prepare me for a career in aviation. From the training that they’ve instilled I’ve flown float planes in bush operations, medivac jet to now flying the Dash 8 Q400 for PAL Airlines. If you apply yourself and take you training seriously, GFT will give you the fundamentals that you need and put you on to a very rewarding career.

I started at Gander Flight Training with the summer wings program at the age of 13. The experience I gained from being a student and an Instructor at GFT has taught me many things about becoming a professional pilot, contributing to where I am in my career today. I am now an experienced maritime patrol Dash 8 Captain providing the Caribbean Sea with search and rescue, counter narcotics and general law enforcement”

I moved to Gander once I finished high school in 2010 to attend Gander Flight Training. My time as a student here at GFT were some of the most fun and exciting years of my life. It was at GFT that I was able to make my dream a reality and create some of the best lifelong friends while doing so. When you come to GFT you really are “part of the family”. Nobody is going to let you give up on yourself. There are many jobs in this industry. Fighter Pilot, Airline Pilot, Bush Pilot, Water bomber pilot, the list goes on. Each of those pilots have to start somewhere and it is the basics of their training that remains the most important.

My flying journey began in 1999 where I started flying at GFT to obtain my commercial airplane license at the age of 18. Flying was a dream of mine from a very young age when I received a set of wings from an Air Canada pilot on a family vacation. In 2001, I became the first female commercial helicopter pilot to be trained in Newfoundland and 64th in Canada. If I could give advice to a new student pursuing their flying dreams, I would tell them to never give up!

A great place to learn the critical skills and knowledge required to fly in some of the most challenging weather conditions in Canada.

GFT has one of the best learning environments and adverse weather which create knowledgeable and skilful pilots. A great place to learn the critical skills and knowledge required to fly in some of the most challenging weather conditions in Canada.

It’s been over 20 years since I graduated from flight school in Gander (GFT). To this day, I look back with many fond memories of my time spent there. The staff and my colleagues truly became a family. They taught me the meaning of hard work, perseverance and determination. They provided me with the initial building blocks and industry contacts needed to start a successful flying career. Today, I have logged nearly 14,000 hours in the sky, as an Airline Training Captain and Check Pilot. Friendships made then, are those that still hold true today.”