:confused:

dont expect easy answers from Transport Canada!

When CHC took over Lloyd here a few years back a number of aussies went thru the process. They all recieved different answers from TC and were required to different amount of paperwork and flights.

rool the dice and good luck!

Good day eh!!!

Last time I checked, no such thing as a "command" instrument rating in Canada. Just................an instrument rating. You've either got one or you don't.

One of our guys (Ozzie CPLH only) was sent to Canada (Pro IFR) to get him an IF rating. When he got there, Transport Canada said he FIRST needed to obtain a Canadian CPLH!!!! So, after much heartache and jumping through hoops, he got his Canuck IF rating AND a Canadian CPLH. Go figure.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and speculate that since you've got an Ozzie ATPLH, you should be in much bette shape than our chap was when he went over.

For what it's worth, I did my helicopter IF rating back in the winter of '92 at Helicollege (Lyle Watts is still there I think) and it was great. Kicked arse on the Transport Canada exam and a seriously good ride. If you can come to grips with Lyle's inability to be on time for a flight or ground school, you'll do ok. Costs weren't that bad cuz I did my homework on any hours I had which I could apply to the minimum times required. In the end it worked out quite well cost wise.

Time wise it took about 8 weeks total, but I wasn't in a rush or on the clock so..................

Hope this helps!!!

Companies are able to apply for a work permit on your behalf, but like you said, for a low time guy it wouldn't be worth their while. Besides most of the government contracts that form a major part of their revenue have their own minimum time requirements which would preclude a low timer, the lowest of which I think would be Saskatchewan with 600 hours.

The J1 visa is a student visa (or so I've been told) and still does not give you the right to employment in the USA. It is meant only for the puposes of training and studying and not for employment. I to am preparing to go back to the USA on a J1 visa for the exact same intension as you, to carry out my CPL IR CFI CFII rating and hopefully gaining employment for a year as a CFI, I have spoken to a lot of people who have done this and have been employed there, but it is not 100% legal.
If you pay your taxes and keep out of trouble most people get away with it, but it's not something you should advertise.

I wont be when I do it anyway ;)

LB

J1
 

It is allowed to work on a J1 visa but the flightschool were you did your training acts as a sponsor. This means they have to approve were you are going to work. There is a restriction though officially you're only allowed to work 20 hours a week. The work you do is purely for building experience to an ATP level which is 1200 hours. So the Visa is absolutely not a work permit. The maximum time you're allowed to stay in the US is 2 years depending on the program you're doing. After this two years you have to return to your country of origin.

Another restriction is that it's only applicable for persons who have less than 50 hours of flight-time after getting their PPL.

Actually the 50 hour limit was turned into 70 hour last year.
But another question related to this, will they hire a foreign pilot as instructor?? I mean they will probably hire those with green card first or what??

Where did you get this information of the 70 hours limit? Is it school based or US-law?

I know about Hillsboro, HAI and Heliflight providing J-1 Visas. Are there any further? Heliflight is mentioning at their website that there are 4 in the US.

Is there a way to get a J-1 at a still 200 h cpl level?


regards ...

Got that info from Hillsboro, hope its right because otherwise I’ll have to rip some pages out of my logbook and that’s not what you want to do when you are trying to collect them:O

Anyone heard of "Ice Helicopters" in Canada
 

Has anyone heard of a Canadian operator called "Ice Helicopters", in Jasper Alberta or somewhere in the Mountains?

:confused:

Nope,

But you may want to be a bit more specific. Big country.

There is an outfit that flies Glacier Tours over the Columbia Icefields between Banff and Jasper, forget their name though.

AR

Auto Relight

More specific? Jasper, Alberta narrows it down a fair bit, I'd say. If not Jasper, somewhere near there in the mountains.

"Ice Helicopters" may be an operating name for a larger operation, though.

Cheers

:ok:

There's an "Icefields Helicopters" located on the David Thompson Highway just east of the Banff Park gates. They do air tours over the Columbia Icefields, using a 206 and a 350 D if I remember correctly

A very questionable operator, be careful !!

There's an operator in Alberta who trades as Icefield Helicopters.

Thanks, Gentlemen.

I'm Going to Canada!! What should i expect?
 

Well no doubt that this is a common listing on all Pilot chat sites, unfortunately though I haven’t found the answers that I am after yet.
I am going to Canada, next Feb to find a job. I am young (24) and have 1400 TT and 500 Turbine. I am of the impression that Canadians are like Aussies in the regard that they aren’t going to employ anyone on the other side of the country or planet for that matter, without being in their face pushing for it.
What I ask of you all that have successfully ventured into Canada and those from Canada, am I doing the right thing? To get a work VISA I need sponsorship, to get sponsorship I need a job, so the plan (if you could call it that) is to go over for a holiday, have some fun and if I can get sponsorship from an employer then the ball will continue to roll........ The only other option I can see to this is finding a job first, which seems unachievable sitting here in Australia.
How has it worked for you?

Your thoughts are appreciated......
LGB81

First.
You don't need a sponsor. You are under 30 and can get the 1 year work visa for visiting Aussies. Apply before you enter the country and tell them that you want to work in a ski resort or bar....not aviation. It is supposed to be for that kind of experience. Once you have it, nobody cares.

Second.
So some homework for your licence conversion. Goto the Transport Canada website and look into the conversion requirements in the regs. CAR's: Canadian Aviation Regulations.
You will need to do some IFR training.
Options for conversion are typically Helicollege: Expensive but experienced
PROIFR: Experienced but I don't know the costings....
Both are out of Vancouver area.

Third:
Finding work won't be an issue. But the question is what experience do you have? Have you been round and round the rock, tours on the coast, remote area mustering.....?
Don't go somewhere with only city experience and bull**** your way into a remote area sling job. You will :mad::mad::mad::mad: up and ruin the good kiwi/aussie reputation around here. Be frank about your work experience and work hard. If you do a good season, you will probably be sponsored for next year.

Options for starter possies are:
Airborne Energy - Whitecourt Alberta: love aussies and kiwis. Will employ you. Work is in the gas patch. Pretty easy with some longlining if you check out and the chance of fire work if you have time... you will work an R44 and B206. Possibly Astar.
Baily Helicopters in Fort St John: Same as above.

Various operators in Quebec. Quebec is going off next year (apparently...) with 60+ helo's predicted on the new hydro work there. Practice your french and be prepared to meet some of the world's most gorgeous wimmen....

I have a friend coming over next year and will be helping him with the conversion costs. Vancouver is quite expensive and I am seeing if he can do it cheaper with a friend of mine out east. Sets him nicely for work in Quebec. You need to be in country to convert on Feb 01 at the latest...
Intakes are around April.

Jesus Steve!

Why don't you just hire a container or two and bring over a whole boatload while you're at it! Hear it works well for the Asians...

LGB

Good luck with your trip, and remember, if you get discouraged at all, just find an aviation capable radio and tune in 123.20 anywhere in Western Canada come June and you'll here plenty of familliar accents...

I can also suggest Chinook Helicopters in Abbotsford, or their competition, BC Helicopters for the conversion.


AR

You only need a "sponsor" for permanent residence, and pilots are on the list (you get fifteen points). However, unless you get the visamentioned above you will need someone to offer you a job and make an application in their local HR office confirming that no Canadians are available, having made all efforts to get one.

I can recommend Bighorn in Springbank near Calgary for your conversion, but there are many schools that are as good as each other You can get study material for the exams here . Wouldn't bother with IFR unless you are staying for more than a year or so

Good luck!

Phil

Expect some very nice women my friend!

LGB,
Something you may need to consider.. if your first port of entry is the USA.

My experience which occured in the early 90's had me p....ed off no end. I was planning to backpack around the west coast of usa for 3months then head up to BC and see if I could get some flying in during there fire season. Therefore my backpack consisted of Pilot Licences, Logbook,CV's, etc etc. when I arrived in Hawaii first port off entry the US customs when finding this stuff didn't believe my story and thought I was going to seek work in US without green card, so they promptly put me into a holding cell at the airport for 8hours plus and as I found later I was very close to being deported back to OZ. I missed my connecting flight to LA.. But did eventually end up there a day later with an angry girlfriend at the other end wondering if I'd done a runner.......... So if your planning to go there first then perhaps forwarding your credentials first maybe prudent.