Hello there guys.
I am new to the float business and I was hoping that you guys can help me.
I got about 500 hrs on light weight A/C and about 30 hrs on constant pitch A/C. I will be getting a float rating this winter ( please let me know if you know any good float schools in BC). I have been working as an AME apprentice for two years. Love the AME work also the main reasons why I want to be a float pilot (seasonal work ).
I would be more than great-full that if you guys can help me out with some tips for me.
If possible, would you be kind enough PM me with a list of operators in Bc that I should stay away from.

Dave Budd at Ocean Air in Victoria http://oceanair.ca
Randy Hanna at Pacific Seaplanes in Nanaimo http://www.pacificseaplanes.biz/index.htm
Fort Langley Air http://www.fortlangleyair.com

off the top of my head...

Have Fun!

North Shore wrote:Dave Budd at Ocean Air in Victoria http://oceanair.ca
Randy Hanna at Pacific Seaplanes in Nanaimo http://www.pacificseaplanes.biz/index.htm
Fort Langley Air http://www.fortlangleyair.com

off the top of my head...

Have Fun!

Thank you north shore.
I will calll them soon.
Once again thank you.
Young

This has to be the most depressing post I have read on avcanada, but unfortunately, there is truth to this post. Over the past few years in school, they were feeding us BS pipe dreams of flying for the regionals through the cadet programs by now. I get emails from the cadet programs about once every couple months and I usually hit the delete button quicker then I can open the email.

I wouldn't say it was BS they were feeding you. It was pretty much true until COVID hit..

It is a lottery. You never know when your numbers come up and you get that great job. You won't get it sitting at home, but it won't be easy either. The regionals are, and always have been, extremely picky about who they want, regardless of what people say.

I am a new guy here. Thanks for the tips.

Informative thread, with lots of laughs (and a few cries maybe haha)

Finishing up my 50hr float course out in Victoria and planning to head to Thunder Bay this Spring to do a road trip myself. I trained on a C-180. 260 hours TT. I graduated through the BCIT Commercial Pilot program in Vancouver, but at 42 float flying just appealed more to me. Ideally, I'd love to gain enough experience to get work back here on the coast at some point. Not in it for the money, just something that I look forward to waking up to do that is challenging (thats why I dig the off airport stuff).

My main question is when is the best time to start this road trip? Would early April be the prime time?

My second question is if anybody has been interviewed/hired based off of emailing in their CV and resume alone? I feel like that's a hard no, but I thought I'd check.

Any recommendations for a prime area with a decent concentration of operators would be much appreciated!

I'm loving this community. Reaffirms my risky career change, covid be damned.

I highly recommend the road trip method. It meets you face to face and builds a rapport with the operator and other employees. If you show up at the right time and are eager and prepared you can show how enthusiastic you are and that goes a long way. I got my first gig dock/180 that way. Next season I was on the beaver full time and stayed several seasons with a great operator in northern Ontario that provided nice accommodation and had weekly dinners/fish frys. As for hotspots to try, Red Lake, Vermillion Bay, Ear Falls or Sioux Lookout have several operators at each place. There are a few within the realm of Thunder Bay (may be an hr or 2 drive from there). A couple on the north east shore area of Superior, White River, Wawa, and Hawk Air. There are less people willing to go to the fringes and do honest work these days so going to those places definitely might pay off. Northern Manitoba has a few operators as well. Bluewater(185), Adventure Air(185), Bolton Lake Lodge(206), Kississing(185/206), ALair in St.Theresa Point(185/cherokee6/DHC2). There's a start anyway. If you have any more questions feel free to DM

Cheers
Papa Bravo

I am seeing a change in the bush world. If indeed you are serious about a career, I think the future looks bright for the guys who are serious about it. There are a lot of folks my age and older who are in the twilight of their days flying Otters. I was very lucky to have different options the last two seasons. If you get with the right operator, the money is very reasonable too. I've been at it a while and I'm already like a kid, anticipating another season. It's worked out very well for me. Good luck to you.!!

I thoroughly enjoyed the road trip that started my career. Bush flying is some of the best Flying out there. Not quite the same as a 777!