Home of air trikes in British Columbia, Canada

Marius P, Richmond, BC

For any of you thinking of trying this out, it will be the best 50 bucks you ever spent so do try at least the discovery flight. These guys are great on and off the field. Very easygoing, down to earth, fair and knowledgeable. You are even welcome to drop by the airfield just to take a look and have a chat. For any of you thinking of taking the training course, the side by side configuration is nowhere else to be found so consider yourself privileged. This is also the only place that I know of that will rent you a trike after you finish your training so you can go anywhere your heart wishes. I have felt safe and comfortable on every flight during my training. Mikhail is a very good pilot. You will find the toughest bunch of trikes in this hanger. No matter what you choose in the end (and I’ve changed my mind a lot as I learned along), all your questions about trikes, safety, wings, engines will be answered by Mikhail and Victor. Thanx for everything guys (Apr 24, 2009)

John Dale, Nelson, BC

Having already purchased a Northwing Apache before I found out about BCtrikes, I arranged a lesson with Mikhail. I loved the 912 Poisk and enjoyed a lesson and wished for more but it is so hard to get to White Rock from the Kootenays, so I had to get some more instruction across the border. But still planning to go back and learn more from Mikhail and wish BCTrikes all the best in their endeavours to increase awareness of trike flying. Mikhail is a very safe pilot and fun to be up with. (I say that after a lifetime and 3300 hours of flying in BC). Good luck guys! (Jul 21, 2008)

Kevin Armitage, Langley, BC

I wanted to let you know that the flight was everything I thought it would be. AMAZING!! I really enjoyed the flight and was amazed at how simple the "control" of the wing was. I was really impressed with the climbing ability of the trike, not like my Parasender Chute. (Jul 18, 2008)

Scott McIntosh, Vanderhoof, BC

My dream has finally come true, I’m flying like a bird and it’s everything I imagined and more! Thanks to Open Skies Aviation I’m literally enjoying Beautiful British Columbia on a whole new level. I can’t say enough about Mikhail Gavrikov and his instructional expertise. I began my instruction in November 2007 and ran into a bit of rough weather the first two times up. Sitting beside Mikhail and experiencing his competence as a trike pilot really inspired me and gave me the confidence to pursue my dream. I returned to Open Skies Aviation in June 2008 and completed my training. Now I am soaring the skies over the BC Interior keeping my eyes peeled for fellow enthusiasts.

I should mention that Mikhail helped me set up my newly purchased trike, test-flew it for me and tuned the wing and engine for a very minimal cost.From their hanger to their trikes & equipment and their professional instruction, Open Skies Aviation is a first class training facility.Thank you Mikhail and Victor for what has been a life changing experience for me!
(Jul 09, 2008)

Paul Sveinbjornson, Sundre, Alberta

The training program offered by Open Skies Aviation is very thorough and professional. The biggest bonus for me was the training trike’s side-by-side seating configuration. It is the only one of its kind that I know of in North America. Such seating arrangement gives the student a better feeling of flying compare to traditional seating behind the instructor. It also makes for better visual ability and communication between the student and the instructor. Thus the instructor can observe the student as he/she progresses through the course and can identify and correct the errors sooner. I am very pleased that I am taking this course. The whole package from the flight training to vacation has been A+. Thanks Victor and Mikhail! (May 07, 2008)

Walter Martin, Deadman Valley, BC

Many thousand thanks to Mikhail and his wonderful Trike. This was the most exiting thing I have ever experienced since my wedding I'm hooked and already signed up for the course. I only can say try it to everybody who reads this and go for it. It is like riding a motorbike in the sky. Only no traffic and an amazing view. Thank you so much for a dream come true! I can't wait to get my own trike, but with the know how and help of Mikhail it will be hopefully soon. (Aug 23, 2007)

Dan Williamson, Mission, BC

Remember or imagine the tales, stories, movies we read or viewed in our youth. Peter Pan, The Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines, Mercury, Pegasus all of these come to mind as you are swept up by the incredible thrust and lift of the powerful engine and robust wing above you.

This is what flying is all about. Here you see everything around and under you. You soar with the eagles, spiral down hundreds meters in seconds and level out to fly calmly along the ocean shore. Land locked on lookers peer and wave to you in wonder and envy. All of them remembering their childhood stories.

Mikhail the Maestro of the air gave me the introduction and experience of a lifetime. This is what I imagined flying should be, but until now had not found the means. Victor and Mikhail made this a fun, safe, and enjoyable adventure. Everyone should try this at least once in their lifetime.

As for me....I'm hooked. I plan to learn this new skill and join Roberto on his Cross Canada Odyssey. (Jun 05, 2007)

Pat Kervin, Port Hardy, BC

This past Wednesday I went up for an introductory flight in a trike with Mikhail for approximately half an hour. I love trikes, as I knew I would. It was an awesome experience, and it is now my goal to obtain my trike license. Mikhail was good and provided an enjoyable flight experience.

I think the trike flying should be mandatory before you can get a car driving license. If the kids ever got involved in trikes, they probably would have no reason to look to drugs for escape from reality. (May 26, 2007)

Michael Richards, Port Moody, BC

Wow! What a rush! The sudden onset of power as you reach takeoff speed and then climb steadily. And then the rush turns into peace and serenity as soar above it all - kind of like kayaking on smooth glassy water only in three dimensions... does that make sense?

And then there is the thrill of spiraling down, down, round, and down till you are just above the tidal mud flats, skimming the surface of the world at high speed.

Don't get me started about the feeling you get when you take control and you begin to understand...

Landing. What a surprise! SMOOTH. Man, they make these trikes well.

Thank you so much Mikhail and Victor for allowing me to taste a dream! I HIGHLY RECCOMMEND THIS to anyone who has ever envied the eagles soaring. (May 23, 2007)

Bob Hobson, Langley, BC

I was given a gift certificate by my wife for our anniversary to fly in a trike. I had my flight the next day, and it was a wonderful experience. I have flown in various sized aircraft for a variety of reasons and have never been as impressed as I was flying in a trike. The experience is that akin to motorcycling only in the air! The freedom is sensational and unbelievable. A must do experience. I highly recommend it to anyone. (May 09, 2007)

Abid Farooqui, Zephyrhills, FL

I wish you guys the best of luck to try and get the BC public interested in flying trikes. Its a tough job to do. I really like Mikhail's quote on the website; the one about trike flying being an addiction, you either live by it or you don't care. I certainly believe that's true. (Feb 26, 2007)

Roberto Henao, Surrey, BC

Last summer I took lessons from Mikhail with the intention of getting my ultralight license. Mikhail was easy going, thorough and I had a great time during the entire training cycle. If anyone is interested in learning to fly trikes I would highly recommend his services. (Feb 21, 2007)

Gennady Kravenkov, Port Moody, BC

It was unforgettable experience when I flew with Mikhail above beautiful White Rock last summer. I would be definitely looking forward to continue doing that in the nearest future. The whole thing was beyond all my expectation from the very first moment until the landing. I highly recommend this to anyone because it is safe, pleasant and incomparable experience witch has nothing in common with extreme unless you make it extreme on purpose yourself. (Feb 16, 2007)

Victor Okunev, Port Moody, BC

I had a privilege to be Mikhail's first student in Canada back in 2005. Being an easy-going person and a natural-born trike pilot with over 700 hours of accumulated airtime, he possess exceptional instructional skills. While giving the student enough freedom in flight, he ensures safety and teaches the best practices of airmanship. Two thumbs up! (Nov 15, 2006)