Northern Air Charter

[SPR]

It's a lot of short flights and a lot of sitting around in places like Edmonton and Grande Prairie. Alberta Health wants the crews to stay at the airport in case another call comes in while they're waiting, which means it's almost impossible to go out for a meal too. It's long days away from home, but most of that time isn't actually spent in the air. By CARs max, I'm referring to duty days, not flight hours.

[DanWEC]

Gotcha,
Cheers

D

[Krimson]

It sounds like the reserve life was just not for you. It sounds like it's a normal reserve job as any city, it is what you make of it.

You can sit at home waiting for a call, or you can continue on with your life with your flight bag in your trunk.

[Captain X]

+1 to krimson's post

[Spinner200]

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[loopa]

It sounds to me like SPR has a chip on their shoulder due to not fitting in or not being up to standard with their flying skills and maybe being flushed out.

Spinner200, I don't think someone's experience at NAC being different than you or your peers has anything to do with their flying abilities, being flushed out, or having a chip on their shoulders. It sounds like they were promised something that wasn't delivered, and are informing every one who may be looking at NAC as a potential employer to be aware of their experience. Very much like how you are informing everyone of your experience. Obviously information from a former employer can be out dated but should never be discounted.

Based on what you guys are saying though it sounds like your typical charter outfit. No real schedule, a lot of sitting around and reserve, and anywhere from 300 hours onwards per year. You look at Sunwest, NCA, Airco, and the likes they deal with more or less the same type of variables with their king air flying.

You guys have demonstrated both sides of the coin. If you are ok with 300 hours/yr and reserve life in ype, consider NAC. If you're not, look elsewhere. YPE isn't the only place hiring first officers for their first turbine job.

[altiplano]

I got offered a job there by the CP in or around 04/05, BE20 FO. So drove the truck up to Peace River only to meet the owner who started interviewing me, he looked at my current PA31 card and told me I'd have to work the ramp and maybe I'd get to fly the Navajo occasionally for a year or so before I got in the King Air... I got back in my truck. CP at the time was a bit dumbfounded... Sorry he said. Owner's a dick.

[PiperCub1965]

Good Morning,
I see that this is an old post, however I have spent a fair amount of time around NAC ,and I am not a former employee with an axe to grind. If you want The lowdown, gimme a pm and I'll be happy to let you know. I won't post it in an open forum since well honestly it won't be kind.

[nomoreprops]

Pipercub

Can you pm me. I'm trying but can't pm you

[Paydah]

Hey all,

Anyone care to comment on current conditions here? Last I heard they lost their Medevac contract, but now I'm hearing they still have it?

Also interested in the working conditions: pay, schedule, all that fun stuff. Feel free to PM

[MrWings]

I got offered a job there by the CP in or around 04/05, BE20 FO. So drove the truck up to Peace River only to meet the owner who started interviewing me, he looked at my current PA31 card and told me I'd have to work the ramp and maybe I'd get to fly the Navajo occasionally for a year or so before I got in the King Air... I got back in my truck. CP at the time was a bit dumbfounded... Sorry he said. Owner's a dick.

Ownership has changed since then. The medevac contract is slated to switch hands to a new carrier but there are attempts to halt that. Uncertainty until that gets resolved.

[oldncold]

Friend of mine txtd me last month saying She is liking new job. The original founding owners sold company in 2015, Current owners have in place very good mgt team. personable company She said,They run it well. They value family and do there best to accommodate. Pay is top 10 percent of the 703 industry standard 85k capt medevac. Upon AHS approval First year 7days on 7days off. Work is 1week of nights then off week of days. After training you can live cype or grimshaw. Or commute on your own dime. 72k first year 11on 3 off. If you prefer to fly a lot more yyc based and fly sched /charter.

Maintenance staff is very good and snags are rectified quickly.

The medivac contract who got it and who didn't etc is a sore point for all operators. Canwest was awarded the contract without due process to verify it could meet the requirements (ie hangars ) some over reach was done in assuming the other operators would laydown and fold tents. Not so. So the saga continues. She said F0's tend to want to go sched. To get the time quickly.. She said " would give them a 8.5 to 9 out a 10 as 703 company. The pay for the sched could be better but the yyc charter market is Very competitive. Take care

[DaisyMaker]

Can anyone comment on the working conditions for the mechanics? I see that they’re advertising for AME positions
“Northern Air is looking to add to our current team an additional two (2) AME's interested in filling positions in Peace River (1) and Calgary (1). The shift is 8 days on 6 days off working a 10 hour day. Overtime available.”

What do the shifts look like? They’re 10 hour 8 days on 6 off but anyone know what time of day, and if it’s consistent or swings (switching between mornings/evenings/nights)? What the expectations are regarding overtime? Days off and being on-call? Staying later during ones shift than stated schedule? If there’s a limit on how far away from the airport one is expected to be - I guess this would tie into the on-call expectations -for example if one lives 30 minutes away would that cause difficulties?

I’m glad to hear the company is a better place to work for than before.
Thanks.

[co-joe]

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[DaisyMaker]

Thank you co-joe. That was very helpful. Gave a fairly good feel for the company culture and working environment.

I am curious though....It looks like they've been advertising for AMEs since July. Does it take that long to get AMEs? Are there reasons other than being quite rural (at least for the Peace River position) that they're not getting the job filled?

Anyone want to comment? Feel free to PM me as well. Not sure if I have enough posts to be pm'd but you can try!

[co-joe]

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[DaisyMaker]

That sounds great. Thank you again for your reply, co-joe.

[rockymountainwild]

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