Jobs for Expat Pilots in Canada
 

Hello. I am Sushant Gawas, a resident of Mumbai, India. I have TC PPL and current Class 1 Medical. I hold an FAA CPL which I am willing to convert to TC and hence I am in search of a decent job entitling pilot duties and any other ramp duties in Canada. I am willing to work any shift and even at higher latitudes. Just want a company who can provide me with a work permit. I understand that might happen only if there are no candidates in their homeland matching the need of the company.

I am looking to get through with a job in Canada on minimum wages if need be. Anyone with any info, please do share. Thanks a lot.

read the sticky how to get a job in Canada. Too many on furlough not enough hiring right now. Realistically best chance pay for an instructor rating, and train your countrymen.

Disregard sticky has gone poof.

V Basically have the right to work in Canada, then look for job and convert

I suggest you call Buffalo Airways in Yellowknife. Weather should be similar to India so bring your shorts and sandals.

Buffalo Requirements.
 

From the Buffalo Web Site:
http://www.buffaloairways.com/index.php?page=careers
Due to the large number of enquiries we experience, we are unable to accept phone calls regarding employment.

Please feel free to contact us via email, fax or postal mail using the contact information given HERE.

Pilot Requirements Maintenance Requirements
CAPTAINS

Total Time 3000 hrs
Flight Time on Heavy Aircraft 1500 hrs
Flight Time on Aircraft Type 500 hrs
Licenses Canadian ATR
Medical Category Current class 1
FIRST OFFICERS

Total Time 250 hrs
Licenses Canadian Commercial, Multi-Engine, Instrument Rating
Medical Category Current class 1
Additional Exams Proof of IATRA or ATR exams passed


The above requirements are all Absolute Minimums for entry-level positions into the company. Requirements for specific aircraft types will vary, based on company insurance and customer requirements.

Please send your resume to [email protected]



Please feel free to send a resume via fax or email.
Fax 1.867.920.4870
Email [email protected]

Thanks a lot. I hope a flight instructor rating will help.

sushant - in all honesty being a Canadian citizen myself and knowing 3 airline pilots (1 at AC one at WJ and one at Porter) ive talked to all of them regarding going abroad to get my licensing and they advise me not to. It all comes down to citizenship. Every flight school needs money and is a business and they love international students. But when you get to the airlines with the saturated canadian aviation market, im sure theyd choose a citizen over an immigrant any day. Not to discourage you but the reality is real!

India has a growing aviation industry i would try harder to earn experience there if i were you. You'd save a ton of money too!

To correct the above statement...

Canadian airlines will hire immigrants with status in Canada ie. Residents on par with citizens. But unless you have status you aren't an immigrant, you're a foreigner.

Thank you
 

Thanks a lot Striker26 and Altiplano. I sometimes feel I should gather experience here and then migrate. Here things are very to get by, but lets see.

Have a good day guys.

Very difficult to get by.....

I wonder why the sticky is gone... I don't really know how things work in that part of the world in terms of paperwork and permits, but would love to hear if someone is willing to clarify. Anyways, not long ago, I've got an email from Harv's Air in Winnipeg, they are offering work permits for their students who complete from zero to a TC CPL/ME-IR. The duration of the work permit is the same as the duration of your flight training ie: if you completed everything in 10 months, you will get a work permit for 10 months.

What lets me questioning is that what could be done in 10 months? Getting an FI license and instructing at the very same schools for 10 months could get you somewhere between 300 and 500 hours but then what? airlines in the Middle East/Europe/Asia all require at least 1500 hours of turboprop/turbine experience.

Are there any regionals in Canada that actually renew your work permit? Or what are the chances of getting a flying job with any of the regionals/bush flying jobs in the North with as low as 200 hours?

Cheers.

Indian airline IndiGo confirms $26.6-billion order to buy 250 Airbus planes - The Globe and Mail

There's your motivation man!

Hagop - i can tell you be very careful, especially with the marketing of flight schools anywhere in the world.

You have to separate the "business" side of flight training from the "career" part. What i mean is that every flight school around the world can give you licensing within a year (if you do it full time), you will pay a ton more though, honestly they just want your business. I once considered going to the EU to do my training then made the decision not to because of the very issue you pointed out. Citizenship.

There are many jobs in Canada with regards to regional, its a very saturated and small market, no comparison to the US which many ppl mistake. It is one of those markets where, you have to wait your turn in line, you will end up somewhere might take a couple years though.

HOWEVER, it would be very risky for you to come to Canada, do your licensing, and hope to god that an airline will sponsor you after your training, or until you get 1500. Even with 1500 you cant get into Westjet/Air Canada/Porter because as i said it is very saturated. I'm not saying an immigrant cant get a job as a pilot in Canada, but HR departments may differ.

The ABSOLUTE minimum you need is at least a passport (not going to specify which one) that can allow you to freely fly interchangeably between Canada and the US. IF you did come here, you'd be putting a lot of trust into one flight school, and trust me even if you were to become a FI with the same school what happens if everything doesn't go to plan? whose going to hire you under visa? not many people....its a big risk, think about your time and money. The government is pretty ok with extending visas but you have to prove you have a reason to, flight training is only temporary the job after might be too!

Striker26,


That is exactly why I couldn't take the risk after high school and postponed my flight training and currently working for my engineering degree; until I find a place on a suitable cadet program. (many airlines in the Middle East/EU are now depending on this type of pilot recruitment unlike Canada and the US)


I've read tons of experiences over here, some say it's actually worth taking the risk and some say it's not and advise to stay away... The field is really a gamble nowadays.

The former sticky
 

Hagop,

I did the same thing, graduated last year with a business degree working in the field now training on the side. Its a safe way to do it so good on you for having a fall back.

I see you're from Beirut, not a clue how aviation training works there but i would recommend doing GCAA or even EASA training when you get the chance, it may save you the hassle of doing FAA/TC training then having to convert (if you ever needed to) saving you a ton.

Also, dont wait for a cadet program, doing it the old fashioned way (i.e. modular) is perfectly fine, dont depend on anyone, make your own :) best of luck!

striker26,

Having a backup plan is one of the wisest choices indeed.

As for flight training in Beirut, we currently have 3 flying clubs that offer the DGCA (LCAA) PPL only, no further training can be done over here. Besides, even if they do offer further training one day, it would be foolish for someone to do it here as the industry is dead and fuel prices are at their peaks. PS: 1 hr dry in a 172 costs around 300-350$.

Aviation is a dead industry over here. We only have ONE airline in our country which is our national flag carrier. They only hire through a cadet program that is launched once every 3 years or so depending on their needs (fleet expansion, retirements...). No direct entries whatsoever; first officers through the cadet program and captains with seniority only.

Absolutely no flying jobs if I go through the old fashioned "modular way up"; it would be a waste of time and a waste of money in my country, unless I'm going to do it abroad and not come back before logging the 1500 hours.

Most airlines in Europe if not all of them have the minimum requirement: "Must have the legal right to live and work in the EU". Not having an EU passport leaves me out of any opportunities in Europe, so I have phased out EASA training.

That is the reason I look forward to FAA/TC training should I not find a place on a cadet program. But again, as you said it's a risk and not an easy ladder to climb having no citizenship in the mentioned countries.

Hagop - agreed, it's unfortunate about the state of aviation in your country but nothing wrong with it its just the demand isn't as large compared to other countries for air travel. If you really want to go TC/FAA training will cost a lot more for you, no harm doing it but very risky. I'd go GCAA if i was in your position, it may better help you get that first job.

To give you an example, my friend went to Florida (as a Canadian citizen) and he cant find a job in the US not even with his flight school, hes now looking into converting, more cost more time.... Do whatever makes you happy, but always have a fallback of finances. Whatever route you choose, make sure its one that you're confident in, yes there is always a way, but be smart about it!

It is possible to immigrate to Canada if you choose to, I've flown with a number of immigrants over the years. One story that would apply to your case was a person I flew with recently did their flight training in Canada because it was cheaper. They were then able to get a work permit to flight instruct at the school. After one year of flight instructing they had the necessary experience to apply for permanent residency under a certain category. They were able to remain in Canada working as a flight instructor for the two years it took to gain permanent residency status. They are now working for an airline in Canada.

Striker26,


In what ways do you thing GCAA would be a better route for me? Airlines in the gulf region are either hiring through their cadet programs or hiring experienced FAA/TC/ICAO/EASA 1500+hr ATPL holders.

Financially wise, out of the tens and hundreds of schools that I've filtered, the most cost effective training that could be done were the ones in the USA or Canada. (taking into consideration no further conversion will be needed and the first flying job would be in that specific country).

fuelsurvey,

Indeed, chances are out there but it is a hit and try. The problem arises if you couldn't get that flight instructor job with the school that you were trained at. Is the person that you flew with currently working for a regional airline? if yes, what kind of aircraft type is he flying?

The person is flying a regional jet, I believe it is their third job in Canada. I believe immigrating to Canada is easier than the U.S. There are a lot of jobs here now and hiring at the regionals has dropped below 1500 hours which isn't legal in the U.S.