Canadian Professional Aviation

[Capt PPRuNe]

17 years after having my twin girls, one half of the duo has decided that she wants to follow in her dad's footsteps. Any PPRuNer's out there in Canada got any advice for her?

[SFO PPRuN3]

‘Sup I’m Liron

[Pilot DAR]

Cold you make your question a little more specific?

[Capt PPRuNe]

My daughter who lives in Winnipeg has decided that she wants to follow in her dad's footsteps and would like to find out more about starting a flying career in Canada. All my experience is in the UK and it is a long time since I did my ATPLs.

Anyone here who can provide any advice on where she should eb looking/considreing in Canada? She is in grade 12 and would also like to do a degree program if possible.

[Pilot DAR]

Hello Liron,

Welcome to PPRuNe, I am one of the junior moderators around here, and Canadian. I fly regularly, all GA, mostly for work (test flying for modification approval by STC). But my flying boat lives here at home in Central Ontario, and I take it splashing every now and then. You're welcomed to PM me, and I'll try to find some entry paths for you. I've passed though Winnipeg a few times, and did quite o lot of test flying out of Selkirk decades ago, but Manitoba, as nice as it is, is not my normal area.

PM me with your questions, and I'll be happy to put some thought for you....

[India Four Two]

I'm based in Calgary and have no experience of Harv's Air, but every time the topic of where to train in Canada comes up on PPRuNe, they are always recommended.

Two locations in Manitoba - Steinbach and St. Andrews.

https://www.harvsair.com

PS Nice to see you are still posting on PPRuNe, Danny.

[Capt PPRuNe]

Thank you guy's. I hope Liron can get a better insight into shat she will require if she intends to pursue this career. Always difficult for someone in their last year of high school to make concrete decisions on what they want to do as a career.

I'm still around but I retired 5 years ago. I commute regularly between Liverpool and Winnipeg.

[SFO PPRuN3]

Hi,

Thank you for your message, I'll be sure to PM you once I have 3 posts

[SFO PPRuN3]

Hi,

I did check out Harv's air but I'm doing my familiarization flight with Winnipeg Aviation at St. Andrews this Sunday and if it's not good I'll probably try one with Harv's.

Thanks!

[SFO PPRuN3]

Hi,

I did check out Harv's Air but ended up deciding to do my familiarization flight with Winnipeg Aviation this Sunday. If it doesn't go well I'll check out Harv's!

Thanks

[+TSRA]

She is in grade 12 and would also like to do a degree program if possible.

Mount Royal University offers a degree in Aviation Management if having a degree is a must. A lot of other colleges offer diploma programs as well, such as MFC, Seneca, Confederation, Fanshawe, Okanogan, BCIT, and MRU. I'm sure there are others around, but those are the most common that seemed to pop up when I was teaching at the regionals.

I'll also throw my hat in for the suggestion of Harv's if Winnipeg Aviation doesn't pan out, even though I don't believe Harv's has a diploma program. I have no affiliation with them either, but I've trained a few of their grads, and to a pilot they were as knowledgeable as those who had come through the diploma routes. Same goes for Mitchison Flight Centre in Saskatoon.

A diploma or degree is certainly helpful if your daughter wants to pursue a role other than flying in her career - I'm thinking Standards, Chief Pilot, or other management roles. I'm certainly a vocal proponent for pilots to receive an education above and beyond flight studies. However, as the regionals are hiring pilots with less than 1,000 hours and seniority being king, if the airlines are her preferred career choice, I'd suggest getting the flying done as quickly as possible and doing a diploma or degree through correspondence or online. If Boeing can ever sort out their deliveries, then pilot hiring in western Canada will shoot through the roof if WestJet takes delivery of even half of their order book, placing your daughter in a prime position to get in with Encore, Jazz, or Porter as the more experienced pilots move to mainline flying as she finishes her license training.

[SFO PPRuN3]

Hi,

I have looked at a few degree programs for aviation, specifically Mount Allison's Bachelor of Commerce in Aviation Management. Seneca seems very good except for the fact that it only offers a diploma, not a degree as far as I can find, and both are extremely expensive.
I think I'm going to have to check out Harv's based on how many people have recommended them; I'll probably go for a familiarization flight after the one with Winnipeg Aviation to see which one I like better.

I don't know wether it's best to do all my training modular before I finish high school and just getting a degree online or suchlike, do an integrated course, or get my licences through a university. But I suppose I should do the familiarization flight and get the medical before thinking about any of that.

Thank you so much for the advice!