Canada: Training & Employment prospects
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My bad!!! Just picked up on that now. Sorry Agusta. Went on a pointless rant there then. Well so long as you can legally work in Canada, then you can talk to all sorts of companies for a ground job. Just dont expect to make much money.
Good Luck again.
Good Luck again.
First step is to get the right to live and work in Canada, then look for a job.
No offence, but unless you have 'professional' qualifications either as a pilot or engineer then it may be easier looking for another route in.
Learn to speak French to, it can tip the scale in the 'points' and looks good on a CV. A non-aviation friend of mine emigrated to Canada, and what finally swung it was the fact she took a part time A level course in French. Took her about 2 years from application to emigrating.
No offence, but unless you have 'professional' qualifications either as a pilot or engineer then it may be easier looking for another route in.
Learn to speak French to, it can tip the scale in the 'points' and looks good on a CV. A non-aviation friend of mine emigrated to Canada, and what finally swung it was the fact she took a part time A level course in French. Took her about 2 years from application to emigrating.
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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Confused wanabee CPL (H)
Having read a lot of the posts on this site and read articles in verticalmag and helicopters and spoken to the very helpful folks and Heli-College. I am still a little confused about the route one takes to get a job in Canada.
Here are the options that I understand are available to me.
a. Get CPL(H), build hours, get Instructor rating, teach until you have 1000hrs+ then look for commercial work. happy days. (Source Helicopters Magazine Article)
b. Get CPL (H), become a 'hanger dog / rat' and earn your 'spurs', once you have 1000hrs+ you get to drop the hangar dog / rat / bunny title. happy days. Source everyone else I speak to / read.
Can anyone clarify?
I thought is wise to see if a. I liked it and b. I could do it, before setting the wheels in motion on the emigrating to Canada bit so I have a JAR PPL(H) and arguably more money than sense.
Here are the options that I understand are available to me.
a. Get CPL(H), build hours, get Instructor rating, teach until you have 1000hrs+ then look for commercial work. happy days. (Source Helicopters Magazine Article)
b. Get CPL (H), become a 'hanger dog / rat' and earn your 'spurs', once you have 1000hrs+ you get to drop the hangar dog / rat / bunny title. happy days. Source everyone else I speak to / read.
Can anyone clarify?
I thought is wise to see if a. I liked it and b. I could do it, before setting the wheels in motion on the emigrating to Canada bit so I have a JAR PPL(H) and arguably more money than sense.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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shadey,
your option "a" is much more uncommon here in canada than in the US. most of the instructors (in BC at least) are experienced operational bush/mountain pilots who instruct in the off-season. this puts the quality of instruction for student pilots right at the top of the heap, but rules out most of the jobs for low-time instructors.
most companies here hire either people that have "put their time in" as a hangar rat or ground crewman, as they get a chance to see the personality and work ethic of the individual. an alternative to the ground crew/hangar position would be to apply to be a logging co-pilot (or "seat-meat"), which has been a stepping stone to a flying job for many a low-time pilot. from what i hear it becomes expensive with all the new underwear you're buying all the time though...
hope i helped a bit.
your option "a" is much more uncommon here in canada than in the US. most of the instructors (in BC at least) are experienced operational bush/mountain pilots who instruct in the off-season. this puts the quality of instruction for student pilots right at the top of the heap, but rules out most of the jobs for low-time instructors.
most companies here hire either people that have "put their time in" as a hangar rat or ground crewman, as they get a chance to see the personality and work ethic of the individual. an alternative to the ground crew/hangar position would be to apply to be a logging co-pilot (or "seat-meat"), which has been a stepping stone to a flying job for many a low-time pilot. from what i hear it becomes expensive with all the new underwear you're buying all the time though...
hope i helped a bit.
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Learning to Fly in BC
Thanks 'somepitch' . That is two options for me which is more than I had the other day. As 'helicopters' is a second career for me hopefully I can demonstrate my 'work ethic' quite quickly or buy a job lot of boxer shorts 
if that does not work out.
if that does not work out.
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employment sponsorship
I am considering 3 choices as to which is the best option to take regardinging settling down and getting a job in Canada. Any advice is much appreciated. PM me if required.
Is it difficult to obtain employment sponsorship?
1. Family sponsored migration (have relatives who are canadian citizens)
2. Skilled migration
3. Employer sponsored migration
I am 44 yrs old, hold FAA ATP(H), CASA CPL(H), CPL(A), IREX, Instructor rating, 5000plus total hrs (3750hrs multi-heli and 300hrs NVG) with valid class 1 medicals.
Is it difficult to obtain employment sponsorship?
1. Family sponsored migration (have relatives who are canadian citizens)
2. Skilled migration
3. Employer sponsored migration
I am 44 yrs old, hold FAA ATP(H), CASA CPL(H), CPL(A), IREX, Instructor rating, 5000plus total hrs (3750hrs multi-heli and 300hrs NVG) with valid class 1 medicals.
Off to Canada for 2008 season
I've thought about it, talked about, asked about it & worried about it. Now the time for talk is over & I'm off to Canada to convert my Australian licence to Canadian & launch myself into the Canadian job market.
I've got a school selected & the airfares sorted, but the work permit process has me a bit worried. I'm over 31 years old so from my understanding I need to convert my licence, get a job offer in writing & then come back to Australia & apply for the permit, which could take up to 4 weeks.
Any advice on how to make this run smoothly would be appreciated as I'd like to learn from others mistakes.
I'm targeting turbine bush work with lots of external loads & any leads on companies to target will be rewarded with copious ales when we meet in the Canadian wilderness!!!
P.S. - I LOVE maple syrup!!!
I've got a school selected & the airfares sorted, but the work permit process has me a bit worried. I'm over 31 years old so from my understanding I need to convert my licence, get a job offer in writing & then come back to Australia & apply for the permit, which could take up to 4 weeks.
Any advice on how to make this run smoothly would be appreciated as I'd like to learn from others mistakes.
I'm targeting turbine bush work with lots of external loads & any leads on companies to target will be rewarded with copious ales when we meet in the Canadian wilderness!!!
P.S. - I LOVE maple syrup!!!
Join Date: Nov 2000
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The job offer has to aome after a period of advertising during which no Canadian must come forward instead - this I think is three months, so get started early!
One trick that landed immigrants used to use is to apply in their country, get a transaction number, then go to canada anyway and present the number to the nearest immigration office. no guarantees, but often the paperwork can be transferred.
Good luck - you will enjoy the season! PM me if you want to know about companies, etc
phil
One trick that landed immigrants used to use is to apply in their country, get a transaction number, then go to canada anyway and present the number to the nearest immigration office. no guarantees, but often the paperwork can be transferred.
Good luck - you will enjoy the season! PM me if you want to know about companies, etc
phil
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don't worry
There are a lot of Australians working now in Canada. Canadian Helicopters has so many they have changed their logo to a Boomerang.
VIH is also hiring alot of Aukers. Fact is there are more jobs than pilots so come on down. Or up as the case may be.
VIH is also hiring alot of Aukers. Fact is there are more jobs than pilots so come on down. Or up as the case may be.
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"Actually Maam........The data on the Mig is inaccurate!" You can be in Canada and apply without heading back to Australia. My advice is to approach a couple of compannies that have their own immigration lawyers. ie Great Slave Helicopters or Airborne Energy Solutions. If you have any amount of hours > 1000 they will probably supply you with a letter of offer. Good enough to get the ball rolling. Things seem to go much faster when you are in country. Best of luck. No shortage of work here.
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Let us know how you get on...
Heliduck
I am planning on doing similar, except I will be starting at the bottom. I have a PPL(H) and 90hrs total time. I am planning to start my CPL(H) in BC at the end of August with a view to get work in 2008.
It would be great to know how you get on.
Cheers
and good luck
I am planning on doing similar, except I will be starting at the bottom. I have a PPL(H) and 90hrs total time. I am planning to start my CPL(H) in BC at the end of August with a view to get work in 2008.
It would be great to know how you get on.
Cheers
and good luck
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Me too, but with 180 hours and an engineering licence. Will go over late Jan early Feb get converted and hopefully get in early on the job front.I reckon you just have to be the guy knocking on doors at the right time to get a foot in.
I would like to hear how things go for you.
Good luck with it.
I would like to hear how things go for you.
Good luck with it.
Join Date: Nov 2000
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shadey, if you haven't already booked your school, include premier in pitt meadows in your deliberations. They have had many people through the CPL(H) ride in 80 hours.
phil
phil
Thanks Auscan - interesting.
I've 2500 hrs & I have already started ringing operators to get my name out there. I was going to go over in March but I think I'll have to go a bit earlier to give myself a bit more time to get the paperwork sorted. I pride myself on my professionalism & the way I look after the machines I fly, but it's pretty hard to get that message across to someone from the opposite side of the world!!
I have a lot at stake & can't afford to get this wrong so keep the advice coming brothers!!!!
I've 2500 hrs & I have already started ringing operators to get my name out there. I was going to go over in March but I think I'll have to go a bit earlier to give myself a bit more time to get the paperwork sorted. I pride myself on my professionalism & the way I look after the machines I fly, but it's pretty hard to get that message across to someone from the opposite side of the world!!
I have a lot at stake & can't afford to get this wrong so keep the advice coming brothers!!!!
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Hey Paco,
I have 200 hours and I want to to my ATPL (H) Canadian written tests, do I have to go to a flight school, or do they have books with simulated exams that I could do myself?
I have 200 hours and I want to to my ATPL (H) Canadian written tests, do I have to go to a flight school, or do they have books with simulated exams that I could do myself?
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'sfunny you should mention that, there is a book for self study - check your PMs! However, you need a bit more than 200 hours, unless you actually mean 2000! You also need a type rating on a multi-pilot helicopter.
You will still have to get a flight school to sign you off for the skill test though.
phil
You will still have to get a flight school to sign you off for the skill test though.
phil
Join Date: Jun 2005
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For some strange reason, I feel this needs to be said, not that it'll change anything....
Let me start by saying I've worked in other countries in the past, and generally support movement among nations. HOWEVER, there are an unbelievable number of Aussies and Kiwis flying now in Canada, and not all of them a) are what they say they are, b) filling a niche market that there are no other Canadians available for, and c) often working for wages that are not up to what experienced Canadian pilots are trying to make the norm.
Now, I'm not painting ALL foreign workers with the same brush, and as I said, if there's a position requiring a skill set that is not available locally, super. I am however starting to see more and more low-time pilots flooding into Canada, and for some inexplicable reason, they're being hired into entry level(or close to) positions. This is not what should be happening.
So, if you are low time <1000hrs, and you come to Canada, find out what the going rate is from someone, and don't accept less - if you do, you're helping nobody but yourself. That's the least you can contribute.
Some of my best friends are from those two nations, so I'm not anti-anything other than letting perfectly good local labour go unused.
RH
Let me start by saying I've worked in other countries in the past, and generally support movement among nations. HOWEVER, there are an unbelievable number of Aussies and Kiwis flying now in Canada, and not all of them a) are what they say they are, b) filling a niche market that there are no other Canadians available for, and c) often working for wages that are not up to what experienced Canadian pilots are trying to make the norm.
Now, I'm not painting ALL foreign workers with the same brush, and as I said, if there's a position requiring a skill set that is not available locally, super. I am however starting to see more and more low-time pilots flooding into Canada, and for some inexplicable reason, they're being hired into entry level(or close to) positions. This is not what should be happening.
So, if you are low time <1000hrs, and you come to Canada, find out what the going rate is from someone, and don't accept less - if you do, you're helping nobody but yourself. That's the least you can contribute.
Some of my best friends are from those two nations, so I'm not anti-anything other than letting perfectly good local labour go unused.
RH