The Professional Flight Centre opened the doors to the VFR division in the late spring of 2000. Sensing a need in the VFR flight training industry for the same kind of systematic excellence that made Professional IFR Canada’s leader in aviation training, John Montgomery started seeking a Chief Flight Instructor that would do this division justice. 

John, having known Francois Leh through the industry, immediately knew that Francois was the right man for the job. 

Francois’s career really started from the ground up in aviation terms. He taught Hang Gliding in the Swiss Alps during the1970’s and started teaching fulltime on motorized aircraft in 1985. His aviation background with Hang Gliders, Ultralights, Homebuilts, Tailwheels and Aerobatics proves invaluable when it comes to teaching those essential stick and rudder skills. Francois first started teaching out of Boundary Bay in 1989 and has been here since then at various schools on the field with the exception of a brief time with Bombardier Aerospace, where he was trained as an instructor for the Canadian Armed Forces. However his passion for the variety offered by the civilian training environment led him back to the west coast where he helped with the development of Professional VFR. Since starting out with one Cessna 152 in early 2000, the VFR division of Professional Flight Centre has grown to a fleet of thirteen single engine airplanes.

Francois is passionate and dedicated to educating everyone from first time students through to the instructors on his staff about the need for a thorough understanding, never ending curiosity and enthusiasm for what you are learning. All you need to do is talk with him for a few minutes and his reputation as a dynamic and experienced instructor will not disappoint you. Francois has over 13000 hours in light aircraft and trained many professional pilots who are now with major airlines. He sets standards by example and because of this Professional Flight Centre is honored to have him as the CFI. 

Although the demand for Francois’s time is continuous, he manages to find the time to help everyone within the operation and still be involved in the grassroots of the aviation community. 

To quote our dutiful CFI Mr. Francois Leh ‘It’s a great life!’