The Next Step
Moderators: Sulako, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia
The Next Step
I am an aspiring airline pilot, I have recently started my night rating and am hoping to be Multi and IFR endorsed by the fall. Where and how should I plan my next step to becoming and airline pliot for Air Canada, Could anyone help me?
Hold off on the multi-ifr or at least the ifr rating. Get an Instructors rating right after your commercial at a school who will hire you when you complete the rating.Build up your time to at least 1000 hours.Now get that ifr rating and then move north to work the dock for a company that flies twins on floates and has a good track record for promoting rampies/dockhands to flight status after 1 or 2 years of hard work.By building your time instructing,you will be 2 years ahead of most co-pilots that get their start on the dock right after there commercial.Beware of the co-joe trap.(no pic time) 
Keep the dirty side down.
I would agree with skipping the ifr for now as most assuredly it will lapse before you get to use it (for real). An instructor rating is a good way to start, however, there are companies who view instructors as people who can fly a great circuit. Try the road trip after your commercial and float rating. I was fortunate enough to move off the dock in 3 months to a 185. Be prepared to work lots with little pay, don't work for free and get as much PIC time as you can. Don't forget to get at least 25 hours of night PIC time as you will need it to get an ATPL which is another notch in the ladder towards a big airline.
Have at'er
Have at'er
It sounds as though you have a clear goal and are now formulating the plan. Good start.
Aviation can be a real grind and your career will be full of successes and failures. Be prepared for dissapointments, including not making your goal.
Make sure you have the education requirements in place. Lack thereof will be a non-starter for AC.
Definitely skip the IFR initially. 1000 hours of instructing is genarally considered 1 hour of experience 1000 times so don't flog that horse too long. Instructors generally have better knowledge of regs etc but a little bush work will provide a sound foundation for the rest of your career. Keep your mind and options open!
Be safe but be tolerant as well. Don't blatantly break regs or fly unsafely but do your best to accomplish the job for your employer. Yes the pay is bad, yes the living conditions can be deplorable but the experience is invaluble and that is what you are buying!! DO NOT work for free but don't anticipate the big bucks initially as you bring nothing to the table.
Always take and make promotions while still being reasonably loyal.
Keep your application to AC current by providing timely updates. Even AC appreciates a keen individual. Remember, there is no entitlement to a successful career or position at AC. This has to be earned.
I would also not limit myself to AC as Westjet is an excellent company. It is in my opinion, a better managed company poised for sustainable growth.
Good luck in your endeavors!
Aviation can be a real grind and your career will be full of successes and failures. Be prepared for dissapointments, including not making your goal.
Make sure you have the education requirements in place. Lack thereof will be a non-starter for AC.
Definitely skip the IFR initially. 1000 hours of instructing is genarally considered 1 hour of experience 1000 times so don't flog that horse too long. Instructors generally have better knowledge of regs etc but a little bush work will provide a sound foundation for the rest of your career. Keep your mind and options open!
Be safe but be tolerant as well. Don't blatantly break regs or fly unsafely but do your best to accomplish the job for your employer. Yes the pay is bad, yes the living conditions can be deplorable but the experience is invaluble and that is what you are buying!! DO NOT work for free but don't anticipate the big bucks initially as you bring nothing to the table.
Always take and make promotions while still being reasonably loyal.
Keep your application to AC current by providing timely updates. Even AC appreciates a keen individual. Remember, there is no entitlement to a successful career or position at AC. This has to be earned.
I would also not limit myself to AC as Westjet is an excellent company. It is in my opinion, a better managed company poised for sustainable growth.
Good luck in your endeavors!
gr8gazu, you are providing me with wonderful insight and expertise as all of these posts are, I hope you are fullfilling all of your aviation endeavors and conitnue to give good advice. I am wondering about possibly getting my taildragger rating do you think it is worth the time and money I haven't seen any taildraggers in production by Boeing an Airbus will it make my resume look any more appealing?
