Emigrating to Canada-advice?

[bogtruck]

Hi chaps

a little dilemma, sure you guys might be able to help.

Currently based in the UK, flying for the RAF on a modern glass cockpit multi-engine aircraft. The time is fast approaching for me to plan my escape from 'the mob' and am now looking to get my civilian licences. To add to this, I have a Canadian girlfriend who is living in Toronto but originally from Vancouver.

So here are my many questions;

How do I go about finding out info about ATPL training in Canada (Air Transport Canada web site is quite hard to get info out of)?

Anyone know of any exemptions based on my military experience?

Would getting my JAR ATPL be of any use (planning to get it whilst still working in the UK, therefore will be infinately easier to study for this rather than a Canadian licence)?

Any idea of costs? Any good school recomendations?

Finally, whats the general aviation situation like over there? Things are picking up over here, is it the same over there? Would eventually like to reside in either Toronto or Vancouver.

Would really appreciate any advise or tips. My thanks in advance

Bogtruck

[hibypassratio]

Bogtruck, check out the topic on ATPL courses on this forum. The canadian ATPL is only 2 exams vs 14 or what ever it is in the UK, as long as you already have the IFR. Your military experience will help you. Things may be smoother if you have your JAA civvy licenses. Not totally sure on that one. Toronto and Vancouver are both great cities. Hard for beginners to get jobs in those towns, but it sounds like you are bringing some good experience to the table which will help get you to a lot of doors.

All the best.

[jar66_b2]

On a non flying related bit.

If you're intending on emograting, prepare to wait a while. I put my papers in last year and was told that at best it'd take 2 years to complete. Unless you plan on marrying your girlfriend (Although an american in my office said it took her 9 months after marriage)

Also, when I went to Transport Canada to see about getting my maintenance training converted, they wanted to see that I had relevant work permits.

Just a pointer from a brit who's going through the process.

[CanAV8R]

Bog,

With time on the C130 or the C17 you will be bait for anyone in Canada. Hurry up the whole process and you may sneak into Air Canada. The Canadian military guys do well and I am sure RAF guys will be looked at in the same high regard. I have flown with a few boys from the RAF and they were **** hot.

Do yourself a favour though. Get your JAA ATPL before you go as you may need it if the right job does not come up. Far less options than England. There are a few guys on the 747/777 at BA living in Toronto. Am sure you could pull it off working for Virgin as well. Food for thought.

Good luck.

P.S. Converting from a JAA to Canadian ATPL is a joke. You could do it less than a week if you are prepared.

[ColeFace]

First thing you do is to get the girlfriend to move back to Vancouver.

Toronto is a huge place and in my opinion not a very good place to be.
Vancouver on the other hand is by far a better place to set up.

[Glorified Donkey]

Vancouver though is a very senior base for Air Canada so dont be expecting any upgrades this century if thats who you plan to fly for. Its also very expensive place to live

[bogtruck]

Guys

thanks for the advice. Been a good start point especially considering trying to talk to anyone from transport Canada on this issue has been very difficult indeed.

BT

[FFP]

Bogtruck,

Will be looking to follow you in a few years time. Any top tips you get would be greatly appreciated (RAF ME but not glass cockpit .. JAA ATPL on it's way)

Good luck !

[zorx]

ge your head examined unless your a rich man with money to burn you will get hosed and end up living in some **** hole.

[FFP]

Hmm. . .

Problem is mate, you are trying to persuade professional military pilots that have proven themselves not to come to Canada. And the authority you have to speak on such a topic is ?

Wouldn't exactly call my 5 bed house near Niagara Falls a **** hole either . .. .

Anyway, sorry to hear you couldn't hack it in the aviation world.

"Their loss and all that. Much better time of it now. Wouldn't change a thing . . Best thing ever . . . Came to my senses .. 9-5 rocks . .. . ."

Put simply chap, we are coming to take the jobs you only ever dreamed of having.


Thanks for your constructive comments though . .. .(tw@t ;) )

[saudipc-9]

Zorx,
Smart people leave Canada eh!

Well for a start -get- is spelt with a "t" and "your" should be you're!!

Just a quick note from a smart man IN Canada;)

[er340790]

Speaking as a Brit (FAA ASES) who moved to Canada last year from NL, the whole Immigration Canada process is an absolute nightmare and nothing more than a job creation scheme for practically unemployable Cannucks in unheard of places like Vegreville. Despite being a 'skilled worker' and having Canadian wife + kids, it still took over 10 months to get Permanent Resident (ie work) status. Your application will be held in their 'inventory' for 6+ months before even being opened.

There is though a severe shortage of 'exotic dancers' which led last year to Romanian strippers getting in in just 3 weeks ..... until the immigration Minister was fired!

Great country. ****e government. Be prepared for a long haul.

[aintsaying]

Bogtruck,
Bring copies of any Airside passes you have, letters from the authorities who issued the security passes confirming you did have one.
Bring original utility bills with your last address on them.
Bring references from bank manager if you had a mortage and ref's from landlords if you rented.
Because you have a girl friend already here you will be able to live with her. Without a job you will not be easily able to rent an apartment or get references in Canada.
You will run into many brick walls for the first two years, after that you become numb and things run smoother.
I got there in '97. has its ups/downs but I'm still here for the moment.
Goodluck.

[SpinSpinSugar]

Despite being a 'skilled worker' and having Canadian wife + kids, it still took over 10 months to get Permanent Resident (ie work) status.

10 months! We went onto the system in June 2004 and don't expect a decision until next January at the earliest. It's certainly not a process to undertake unless you have commitment and a heap of patience.

As jar66_b2 points out, at the moment new additions to the skilled worker (UK) queue are being advised two years plus from receipt of AOR.

Best of luck to all in mid-process!

Regards, SSS

[zorx]

I suppose you all read this,and who the feds gave green cards to eh?

Niagra falls is a ****hole you call -30 paradise?

5months of "Can,t go outside weather"We,ll sunny boy this **** opens his door to a ski lift after morning coco.

[FFP]

"Near" Niagara Falls fella . . .. . . .

If you can't stand a bit of cold. . . . . .. .

Anyway, as for the winter, I tend to use my villa in St Lucia :p !

[cplpilot]

I would stay in Europe with your experience... i came to Canada 9 years ago with a job already (no in aviation:{ ).
But my wife had to wait almost a year to get her visa!!!! Once she got it and applied for jobs most of the companies where asking for CANADIAN EXPERIENCE!!!! even is she had 15 years experience as a legal secretary she was not able to find anything....
I know also pilots from easter europe and 737 time (tons of hours) that had difficulty to find a job here (no canadian experience).
737 up here have maple syroup in the hydraulic, plus aerodynamic here is totally different!!!!!;)

[aintsaying]

Being told you don't have "Canadian experience" is going to be repeated to you every single day while you are in Canada.
Its called hitting your head against a brick wall, after 2 yrs your head will go numb and things will go smoother from there.
Transport Canada made me give them evidence that the 727's I worked on were made by boeing. The Inspector at the time didn't believe that the 727's were made by Boeing.
The Landed Immigrant process is faster if you apply as an individual, then sponsor your family.

[CanAV8R]

There are some real gems at Transport Canada. They don't seem to know if certain aircraft require two crew or if they are in a particular weight class. Now correct me if I am wrong but they do make the rules so I always had a chuckle when they had no clue. Idiots.

Going from the UK to Canada is an exciting venture for those doing it. I personally know a number of pilots doing it. A word of caution. JOB PROSPECTS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND GENERAL STATE OF AVIATION ARE MUCH DIFFERENT THAN IN ENGLAND.

Any experience you have from England that would be a great asset for job hunting here may not be of any help over there. Problem: Too many pilots willing to work for to little. Set your sites high but be prepared to be let down. On the bright side its a nice place to live.


:ok:

[codpiece face]

Must admit i have seriously considered the move over the last couple of years but have been put off by the horror stories regarding red tape and not wanting to start studying all over again for new licences. Still holiday there though cant beat the canadian rockies for snowboarding.

[saudipc-9]

codpiece face,
A Canadian ATPL would not be accepted in the EU to fly so why should a EU ATPL be accepted here? A bit of a double edged sword really. If we really could we should have a common licence or even better accept each others at face value. I think it is more about protecting each others systems and the jobs that are created by them.

Cheers
SPC-9