Brit Civi to Canadian Mil

[Sabre Zero 1]

Brit Civi to Canadian Forces

Does anyone know if the entry age/academic quals for the Canadian forces differ in any way from the UK (as regards becoming a helicopter pilot)?
Also, are they accepting applications from overseas (i.e. UK)?
Many thanks
SZ1

[Matthew Parsons]

It's worth asking. The following is a good link.

http://www.forces.ca/v3/engraph/reso...en.aspx?bhcp=1

Despite the Permanent Resident status requirement that was specified, I did see somewhere else where others would be accepted "in exceptional circumstances".

I recommend you consider this. We're doing quite well in getting new equipment. In a few years we'll get rid of our Sea Kings and our oldest helicopter fleet (Bell 412) will be about 15 years old. The rest will be nearly new EH101s, new S92's and new Chinooks. The espirit is very high, people very focused on missions overseas, and standard of living is quite good.

Good luck.

[dogpaddy]

Just a thought... is there an upper age limit? I can only find reference to the minimum age limits

[Evalu8ter]

I don't know if the upper age limit applies to aircrew, but I was in a chow queue at a CFB late last year with an early 50's private who'd just enlisted! My (simplistic) understanding is that age/fitness limits have pretty much gone out of the window in the CF, oh, and in the finest "Starship Trooper" tradition, all ORs do two years in the infantry (= one AFG det) before moving on to technical training.
However, totally agree with Matt. The CF helicopter fleet is finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, and when the mighty wokka arrives they won't need to practise 22 - ship Griffon airmobile Ops!
Great bunch of fun, motivated, people - I consider myself fortunate to count a number of CF pilots as friends. Good luck!

[Sabre Zero 1]

Thanks for your help everyone. It sounds like there's a good deal of respect for the Canadian forces.

I can't seem to get on to their website to get an email address (maybe because I'm outside of Canada?)

Would someone be kind enough to have a look and post it for me please.

Is it difficult to get citizenship in Canada? (I have cousins there if it makes any difference).

Thanks again!

[dogpaddy]

[email protected]
Can't help you with the citizenship questions though.
Good luck. And keep us posted on developments.
dp

[Sabre Zero 1]

I'll be sure to keep you updated, and thanks again for the help!

[B Sousa]

Dont know a thing myself, all I would say is Good Choice. Canada is a very beautiful place in spite of what the Government trys to do.

[Corax]

No real age limit per se, they essentially want at least three years of service from you once you are trained. So if a pilot took 2.5 years to be trained then he would need to be around 52 to be able to serve to 55 which can be extended to 60.

Having said this, it is still a young man's game and pilot for operational tours will want to do this younger rather older but there is no concern joining right up to your mid fourties especially if you are physically fit.

[Sabre Zero 1]

Now to me that seems to be a much more realistic approach to things than us in the UK.

I'm sure there are good reasons for the UK limits, but it still seems crazy that at 25 I'm too old for the RAF and Fleet Air Arm, even with my flying experience thrown in.

[tits_up]

Check out the forum on Army.ca, lots of serving fliers to question. I think however that unless you are a citizen it will be very difficult to join, it seems like citizenship waivers are being given to doctors and no one else, also even canadian citizens are waiting long times to join up, 18 months and on in some cases.

[Sabre Zero 1]

Update:

Well, a grovelling letter and CV is on its' way to the Commander of the CF Recruiting Group HQ.

I have checked out how to get permenant resident status, and after doing a few of the on-line quick assesments, it looks like I will qualify! However, the process takes around 3 1/2 years(!) to complete unless you have a job offer in Canada, in which case it's 6 months.

Do any of you guys in Canada know of, or be willing to offer me employment (either real or fictional) to speed up my application? I can send CVs to anyone interested.

[shadey]

Are you married?

Believe it or not, if your wife is there on a 8+ month student visa studing at a college or Uni, you can get a work permit and therefore a job and then be on the fast track for residency. There are a variety of courses that are open to 'international' students.

If your not married The normal residency waiting time for Quebec is 6 months only. I am not sure why.

[Sabre Zero 1]

I'm not married (to my knowledge), but I checked out the Quebec Immigration website and you're right, it takes 6-9 months, and the entry criteria are different (less stringent).

Looks like that's the path I might take, even if I get no joy with the CF I think I'll still go and try to persue the civy route.

[Brian Prowling]

Some Things To Consider

I was in Canada in 1997/1998 and loved it there, while there I looked into the exact same possibility. I am also British. Things may well have changed and I stand to be corrected. The information I was given first hand by the recruitment office in Vancouver was that the process is quite long winded. As an officer you are required to attend the French immersion program which from memory last two years, as all officers need to be bilingual. The other thing to consider is CAF pilots don't log high annual flight hours (this may have changed as well).

[Matthew Parsons]

Partial truth in what Brian has said, but there have been many changes in the last few years so you're better off getting information through official channels. However, I will respond to what he's said, to the best of my ability.

French Language: We're a bilingual country and as such the officers need to be functional in both languages. If you have french language ability already, then you can write (speak) the exams. If you don't have any french then you will take some during your training. Two years seems excessive.

Flight Hours: On a civilian standard we don't log high flying hours. From a military perspective I don't think we're doing too badly. The only thing for which you need high flying hours is bragging rights and civilian jobs. If you want a civilian job then don't join the military. It's not a civilian market training plan.

Long Winded Process: Yes. Has been very long for the memorable past. However, like I've said, things have changed. Recruitment is a very high priority. I'd ask direct questions to the recruiters and if there is a waiting period, its probably worth waiting for.

Good luck.

[Sabre Zero 1]

Whatever the flying hours are, they have to be better than the 2 or 3 a month I get at the moment.

I appreciate that this process may take some time, but I'm determined to succeed! I'm also trying to organize some French lessons from a friend to give me the basics.

The one thing I'm a little concerned about is whether the CF will issue me with a citizenship waiver once I have permenant resident status (which is under way with the Quebec skilled worker program). Also, I still can't access any of the CF websites, which is incredibly frustrating as I can only find snippets of info here and there on the web.

[dopeonarope]

I left RAF in 2002 after 15 years as ALM, I applied to Canadian Forces as a transfer to be SAR Technician, refused because I was a Landed Immigrant and they were not recruiting that time. I moved to Canada in 2002,took permanent residency as an Electronics Technician, because that was the only way I could get admission, now currently work as a Paramedic (SAR Winchman training) and became a Canadian Citizen 2 years ago. I applied to the Air Reserve and was told based on my past mil life I could be a Traffic Tech (supplier!) or Aviation Technician and then later could be considered for Flight Engineer training after a further couple of years!

Last year I learned of SAR Tech was being opened up to direct entrants and I applied, well I have now been given a conditional offer of employment to start Commisioned Service as a Pilot starting in August! I passed pilot test twice at OASC 18 years ago, but was not welcome in RAF Officers mess! Hence ALM! So who would have thought that a 39 year old could start Military Pilot training.........

Canada a wonderful country with opportunities, even if you have to work hard and wait for them.

Apply to transfer wth CFRG Ottawa and flying in the CF as a pilot is a pretty good option especially at the moment with all the new models coming on line and the loss of trained crews.

Good luck

Dopeonarope