Canadian helicopter industry debates major challenges it faces!

[B206Fan]

Interesting article on Vertical Magazine. Have a read!

https://verticalmag.com/features/canadi ... -it-faces/

[digits_]

Interesting article on Vertical Magazine. Have a read!

https://verticalmag.com/features/canadi ... -it-faces/

A bunch of operators complaining because they have to follow the new fatigue regulations just like everyone else... I'm wondering whose sympathy they are hoping for.

Then they go on to complain that people don't learn to fly helicopters. Who would have guessed people don't want to spend 100k if they can't find work? Everybody wants experienced pilots yet nobody wants to provide experience.

And as icing on the cake they are starting to realize young people want to be treated differently than the older generation. No more wanting to work 6 months in a row isolated up north working 16 hour days? Shocking!

It's similar to what's happening in the fixed wing world, just a magnitude more disgusting and ridiculous.

[B206Fan]

Then they go on to complain that people don't learn to fly helicopters. Who would have guessed people don't want to spend 100k if they can't find work? Everybody wants experienced pilots yet nobody wants to provide experience.

Exactly. Yet in the article it mentions bringing Canada up to ICAO Standards regarding getting a Commercial License. If that happens nobody will be training. The addition of an extra 50 Hours is a good chunk of change!

During the flight training session, Serge Cote, a flight training and examination specialist at Transport Canada, said the regulator was looking at changes to commercial pilot licensing — in terms of increasing the number of flight hours required — to bring Canada more in line with ICAO standards. Currently, Transport Canada requires at least 100 flight hours to be completed for a pilot to gain a commercial license, while ICAO calls for 150 flight hours.

[karmutzen]

Anybody really think ICAO has it better figured out than Canada?

I trained pilots from many different countries that already had a license. Zero difference to Canadian 100 hr. If anything the Canadian standard weeds out those without aptitude that will forever be a burden on their employer and the industry. You know, the guys that every year need double the training time everyone else does to pass a PPC.

Also Canada's instructors tend to be higher time ex-industry, so much higher standard of training. And more likely to tell those lacking aptitude to give it up after 10 hours of slow progress.

[eyebrow737]

Anybody really think ICAO has it better figured out than Canada?

I trained pilots from many different countries that already had a license. Zero difference to Canadian 100 hr. If anything the Canadian standard weeds out those without aptitude that will forever be a burden on their employer and the industry. You know, the guys that every year need double the training time everyone else does to pass a PPC.

Also Canada's instructors tend to be higher time ex-industry, so much higher standard of training. And more likely to tell those lacking aptitude to give it up after 10 hours of slow progress.

Your bias is showing through bud. 30 years of flying behind me both rotor and fixed wing. 9 ATP's from 9 countries. Canadian regulatory authority and procedures are a mess. The training.here is sub par at the best compared to the EU or top shops in the US. Don't flatter yourself

[rtpilot]

As someone mentioned, the cost of obtaining a license is so prohibitive. I believe there is no federal or provincial grants such as OSAP to help individuals get their commercial license. Yet this available to those who want to go to university or college. It might be up to employers to start funding those who want to become pilots. It's starting to happen in the trades. I don't blame people not wanting to fork the cash. It's hard enough to just put food on the table. I hope something comes along to help the younger folks pursue their dreams of flying.

[NeerMohan]

Thanks for sharing the article! Looks like it's about challenges facing Canadian aviation. As a pilot (or aviation enthusiast?), I'm curious to see what they discuss. I'll definitely check it out!

[Me262]

I'm going to jump in here and say, ahhh yes, the beauty of trying out the rotor industry in the late 00's, traveling all the way up to the north, ready to paint fences, yet no opportunity. I miss hovering and flying backwards, but with no flight instructor opportunity similar to FW to build hours, anyone trying to break into the RW industry in Canada is a sadomasochist. I'm sure the conditions have not changed for the 100hr new CPL pilots compared to almost 20 years ago.

[Bug_Stomper_01]

I'm going to jump in here and say, ahhh yes, the beauty of trying out the rotor industry in the late 00's, traveling all the way up to the north, ready to paint fences, yet no opportunity. I miss hovering and flying backwards, but with no flight instructor opportunity similar to FW to build hours, anyone trying to break into the RW industry in Canada is a sadomasochist. I'm sure the conditions have not changed for the 100hr new CPL pilots compared to almost 20 years ago.

It’s gotten way WAY worse