Canada: Training & Employment prospects
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,051
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From: CA
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Cathy and Lynn Press at http://www.chinookhelicopters.com/ are excellent and carry out many licence conversions.
They keep the flying (cost!) to a minimum and assist you with the theory exams and job placement depending upon your experience and ability.
Give them my regards.
They keep the flying (cost!) to a minimum and assist you with the theory exams and job placement depending upon your experience and ability.
Give them my regards.
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
From: CA
Wouldn't bother with Canadian Helicopters School.
Goto Lyle Watts at Helicollege BC. he knows all about conversions for aussies and kiwis. Get your photo on the wall.....must be a hundred or so there now.
Goto Lyle Watts at Helicollege BC. he knows all about conversions for aussies and kiwis. Get your photo on the wall.....must be a hundred or so there now.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Oz. Mahgni
Slowtyper,
I have to agree with dzaeroplus. I did my conversion with Cathy and Lynne a few months back. There is not one aspect of my 2 weeks there that I'd change. The others are probably fine, but Abbotsford is really easy to get to from Oz (close to Vancouver). They have very reasonably priced accomodation within walking distance of their school. Cathy has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Canadian theory, with all the past exam papers you will need to pass that. Theres a Transport Canada office on the airport where you can do your exams and apply for your license.
Training is done in B-47 G2's. Underpowered but great for honing your basic skills. Cathy is a terrific instructor and unless you had really first class instruction in OZ, you won't just do a conversion, you'll learn something. I don't believe I could have done any better elsewhere for the money. If you're a mustering pilot, don't go there with the idea that you're going to show the Canucks how we do it down-under. The G2's won't handle it and Cathy won't put you up for the flight test until you slow it down.
"When in Rome......"
Have heard from a few others that Helicollege charge like wounded bulls for their theory component but the pass rate is excellent. I admit thats second hand but look into it.
One thing to check first, saw in one of the other threads that Canada and New Zealand are going to recognize each others Commercial Pilots certificates, If that is true, the Trans Tasman agreement MAY mean they recognise Australias as well. Just a rumour but worth checking out.
If you do end up going with Chinook, give Nimbus a pat for me.
I have to agree with dzaeroplus. I did my conversion with Cathy and Lynne a few months back. There is not one aspect of my 2 weeks there that I'd change. The others are probably fine, but Abbotsford is really easy to get to from Oz (close to Vancouver). They have very reasonably priced accomodation within walking distance of their school. Cathy has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Canadian theory, with all the past exam papers you will need to pass that. Theres a Transport Canada office on the airport where you can do your exams and apply for your license.
Training is done in B-47 G2's. Underpowered but great for honing your basic skills. Cathy is a terrific instructor and unless you had really first class instruction in OZ, you won't just do a conversion, you'll learn something. I don't believe I could have done any better elsewhere for the money. If you're a mustering pilot, don't go there with the idea that you're going to show the Canucks how we do it down-under. The G2's won't handle it and Cathy won't put you up for the flight test until you slow it down.
"When in Rome......"
Have heard from a few others that Helicollege charge like wounded bulls for their theory component but the pass rate is excellent. I admit thats second hand but look into it.
One thing to check first, saw in one of the other threads that Canada and New Zealand are going to recognize each others Commercial Pilots certificates, If that is true, the Trans Tasman agreement MAY mean they recognise Australias as well. Just a rumour but worth checking out.
If you do end up going with Chinook, give Nimbus a pat for me.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
From: 1 deg south, avoiding Malaria P Falciparium
Well, here it goes.. I suggest you read a previous thread from last winter. I personally would stay away form several of the above mentioned schools.. For one they do not operate commerciallly, second no one uses 47's and youll have a hard time finding a job.
Find a school that is part of a commercial opertion..
Good Bets...
Great Slave
Airborne energy
VIH (now run by ex chief pilot bob reamer) called Coast heli College
E&B in Campell river.
CDN
National Helicopters
all have been know to hire low time guys..
Do some research, going to a place that has nice folks and cranks out conversion lic, may not be the best way to position or network for a job. Putting your self in the way of oppertunity.. so to speak... may be benificial..
remember no place is perfect!
RB
Yea heliport , ill get to that in the next couple of days..
Find a school that is part of a commercial opertion..
Good Bets...
Great Slave
Airborne energy
VIH (now run by ex chief pilot bob reamer) called Coast heli College
E&B in Campell river.
CDN
National Helicopters
all have been know to hire low time guys..
Do some research, going to a place that has nice folks and cranks out conversion lic, may not be the best way to position or network for a job. Putting your self in the way of oppertunity.. so to speak... may be benificial..
remember no place is perfect!
RB
Yea heliport , ill get to that in the next couple of days..
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: Chilliwack, BC Canada
?? No-one uses 47's ?? Most of the schools you mentioned don't either. Certainly not CHC, Airborne Engergy or E&B (a robbie dealer).
Some that do are:
Valley Helicopters in Merritt BC, and
Chinook in Abbotsford.
I believe that Bighorn may have bought one recenlty though?
Some that do are:
Valley Helicopters in Merritt BC, and
Chinook in Abbotsford.
I believe that Bighorn may have bought one recenlty though?
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Rotorboy,
Thanks for the info; I would like to know how many hours you need to be low time or high time?
. Does getting a conversion in a 47 adversely affect my prospects of getting a job??
Can't seem to find the vih school on the net although I have asked them and the school you mentioned did not come up in my search.
Cheers
Slowtyper(that took half an hour)!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the info; I would like to know how many hours you need to be low time or high time?
. Does getting a conversion in a 47 adversely affect my prospects of getting a job??
Can't seem to find the vih school on the net although I have asked them and the school you mentioned did not come up in my search.
Cheers
Slowtyper(that took half an hour)!!!!!!!!!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
From: 1 deg south, avoiding Malaria P Falciparium
407,
the above post were talking about a school with the 47 and how good it was. My point was if you do your conversion in a piston , at least do it iwth a school/operator that uses pistons in the field and has been know to hire guys they train E&B, AES....
Slowtyper , Call directory in Sydney BC for Coast Heli College
RB
the above post were talking about a school with the 47 and how good it was. My point was if you do your conversion in a piston , at least do it iwth a school/operator that uses pistons in the field and has been know to hire guys they train E&B, AES....
Slowtyper , Call directory in Sydney BC for Coast Heli College
RB
Coast Helicopter College