Bombardier has always had a mix of US and Canadian pilots, depending on duties, qualifications required, applicant pool and location. The ratio is, my understanding, about 75% Canadian, 25% US, not counting Flex Jet. The production test guys are not usually ETPS, NTPS or AFTPS grads, that qual is mostly, but not exclusively, required for the Flight Test Center. This ratio and location has been common since Canadair started the Challenger program. There has been several Canadian grads of one of the Test Pilot Schools employed in the programs.
As an international company, BA, no doubt, hires from the best world-wide, many from Europe, US, UK, and Asia. I'm not privy to hiring details, but, again, apply, visit or network with crews at a show or FBO.
Again, stop making this a political argument, it's not; it's about who, in the company's view can do the best job. The flight programs are dominated by Canadians.
The Certification/Experimental pilots are ICT and YMX based. The Production Test pilots are YUL, YMX and Downsview based. The shuttle operations are ICT, Downsview and YUL based, mostly pilots that also fly some production test. The demo guys are US-based, always have been, mixed US and Canadian pilots. The Canadian crews have a wide variety of Transport category experience, the training center has several ex-Canada 3000, CRJ, -8 pilots; plus ex-military in F-18s, C-130s and anything else the mil guys fly.
GF
Last edited by galaxy flyer; 30th July 2013 at 21:43.