Do a search. This question has been asked lots aswell check Pprune they have a Carib. forum.
Cheers
Caribbean flying
Moderators: Sulako, lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, I WAS Birddog
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Snow Monkey
- Rank 3
- Posts: 172
- Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2004 5:24 pm
- Location: south of 60
SVG is looking for guys across the board. Sun Wing is hireing big time down there...buy ONLY locals. These guys are taking 402/AC500 guys and putting them left seat in Dash 8's.....so the little guys are crying the "no pilot blues". SVG is looking for Twin Otter captains....too bad it's summer!
theres only a few conpanies that hire in the islands now because of the governments.
the ones that do hire are SVG, Winair, Air Turks and Caicos, Skyking, Carib in hati. there one other as well that flys islanders.
Be prepared to work your ass off and be treated like crap.
the ones that do hire are SVG, Winair, Air Turks and Caicos, Skyking, Carib in hati. there one other as well that flys islanders.
Be prepared to work your ass off and be treated like crap.
Done some research on flying down there.
The stories I have heard, while anecdotal, are not good. As was stated above they give preference to hiring locals. While there isn't anything wrong with that, I have heard it extends past that to active dislike of foreigners in some cases. In some parts the locals call themselves 'belongers'- as in you don't belong here if you are not one of us. Nice attitude, huh?
Despite the sun and surf, it is really just the third world. Try and reach any of these operators by email, I have yet to get a response to even simple inquiries. The amount of experience some of these guys want for an Islander job would get you right seat in a King Air here. I asked myself, why bother going so far to find locals that don't like you? I can do that here in my own country....
Read up on PPRUNE. I haven't seen much positive about the area on there. I do know the best way to get a job is to show up- two of the three people I know did it that way.
Hopefully I'm wrong about it but from what I can gather I would write the whole place off as far as flying goes. Just didn't hear much positive from anyone I could find. They all just built their time and got out ASAP and advised me to do the same if I was to go. Not the glowing recommendation I was looking for as motivation to go there.
Hate to be a wet blanket, just sharing my research results. By all means keep looking for info if you are determined to go there. My feelings are you could do just as well if not better staying here.
The CP of Mustique Airways is a member here. Maybe he will chime in with some first hand info that is positive because all I heard was the negative. Good luck.
The stories I have heard, while anecdotal, are not good. As was stated above they give preference to hiring locals. While there isn't anything wrong with that, I have heard it extends past that to active dislike of foreigners in some cases. In some parts the locals call themselves 'belongers'- as in you don't belong here if you are not one of us. Nice attitude, huh?
Despite the sun and surf, it is really just the third world. Try and reach any of these operators by email, I have yet to get a response to even simple inquiries. The amount of experience some of these guys want for an Islander job would get you right seat in a King Air here. I asked myself, why bother going so far to find locals that don't like you? I can do that here in my own country....
Read up on PPRUNE. I haven't seen much positive about the area on there. I do know the best way to get a job is to show up- two of the three people I know did it that way.
Hopefully I'm wrong about it but from what I can gather I would write the whole place off as far as flying goes. Just didn't hear much positive from anyone I could find. They all just built their time and got out ASAP and advised me to do the same if I was to go. Not the glowing recommendation I was looking for as motivation to go there.
Hate to be a wet blanket, just sharing my research results. By all means keep looking for info if you are determined to go there. My feelings are you could do just as well if not better staying here.
The CP of Mustique Airways is a member here. Maybe he will chime in with some first hand info that is positive because all I heard was the negative. Good luck.
There seems to be a lot of misinformation circulating around here.
Keep in mind that every island in the Carbbean is a different country, and the islands vary greatly in all aspects of life, economy, and civility/friendliness. Also, I obviously don't have to mention that every operator is different, and work conditions can vary greatly amongst them.
I have to admit, it bothers me to read of people making generalizing statements like this.... "Be prepared to work your ass off and be treated like crap.....you forgot to mention get ready to pay for your training too...".
I hope that these people who make these statements, at least have some first hand knowledge, although I doubt they do. "Treated like crap" is a pretty vague statement requiring clarification. "Work your ass off" again, is an opinion. If you consider being legally limited to 47.5 duty hours in a week 'working your ass off' than yes... it can happen, however most of our pilots average 35 duty hours a week, ten days off a month. "Pay for your training"? Well, simply not true where I am.
With regards to "The amount of experience some of these guys want for an Islander job would get you right seat in a King Air here".... well that's true. What do you need to get in the right seat of a King Air? 250 hours?.... yes we need more than that. I don't think 1500T/250M, or 1000T/500M is unreasonable. It's not really a job to 'build time' anyways.
With regards to pay, I'm unaware of any light piston twin operator in Canada who's pilots take home more money after tax than down here. If there is, fill me in.... I have a few friends who would like to send in a resume.
Regarding 'belongers' that is a very old Turks expression, that locals use to refers to themselves. It matters not if you're purple, green, or blue, if you're not born on Turks, you're not a belonger. Nothing to get bent out of shape about. I was born in Canada, but I'm not a "Native Canadian".... and that doesn't offend me either. That being said, I've never cared for the Turks myself anyways. See the second sentence, every country is different.
With regard to opinons, I'll try not to offer mine, as clearly it might be a little biased. However, I'd be happy to answer factual questions if anyone has any.
ps. Doc.... Sun Wing? Are they setting up a Dash8 service? News to me, thought they only had one '37.
Keep in mind that every island in the Carbbean is a different country, and the islands vary greatly in all aspects of life, economy, and civility/friendliness. Also, I obviously don't have to mention that every operator is different, and work conditions can vary greatly amongst them.
I have to admit, it bothers me to read of people making generalizing statements like this.... "Be prepared to work your ass off and be treated like crap.....you forgot to mention get ready to pay for your training too...".
I hope that these people who make these statements, at least have some first hand knowledge, although I doubt they do. "Treated like crap" is a pretty vague statement requiring clarification. "Work your ass off" again, is an opinion. If you consider being legally limited to 47.5 duty hours in a week 'working your ass off' than yes... it can happen, however most of our pilots average 35 duty hours a week, ten days off a month. "Pay for your training"? Well, simply not true where I am.
With regards to "The amount of experience some of these guys want for an Islander job would get you right seat in a King Air here".... well that's true. What do you need to get in the right seat of a King Air? 250 hours?.... yes we need more than that. I don't think 1500T/250M, or 1000T/500M is unreasonable. It's not really a job to 'build time' anyways.
With regards to pay, I'm unaware of any light piston twin operator in Canada who's pilots take home more money after tax than down here. If there is, fill me in.... I have a few friends who would like to send in a resume.
Regarding 'belongers' that is a very old Turks expression, that locals use to refers to themselves. It matters not if you're purple, green, or blue, if you're not born on Turks, you're not a belonger. Nothing to get bent out of shape about. I was born in Canada, but I'm not a "Native Canadian".... and that doesn't offend me either. That being said, I've never cared for the Turks myself anyways. See the second sentence, every country is different.
With regard to opinons, I'll try not to offer mine, as clearly it might be a little biased. However, I'd be happy to answer factual questions if anyone has any.
ps. Doc.... Sun Wing? Are they setting up a Dash8 service? News to me, thought they only had one '37.
I flew for for Caribbean Star for a little while based out of St. Vincent, and got to know the owner and pilots of SVG Air, and it was a good operation who treated their pilots well. He provided accomodation and wheels. The aircraft seemed to be in good shape, and the boys I knew liked working there. Mostly Canadian, Aussie and Kiwi.
St. Vincent was a nice island too, the locals were pretty friendly, and it was pretty quiet. Not a good place to party, but Barbados is only 30mins away, and you can jumpseat for free on pretty much any airline.
If you are looking to build some twin time and experience the real Caribbean, go check it out. It is fun flying down there.
St. Vincent was a nice island too, the locals were pretty friendly, and it was pretty quiet. Not a good place to party, but Barbados is only 30mins away, and you can jumpseat for free on pretty much any airline.
If you are looking to build some twin time and experience the real Caribbean, go check it out. It is fun flying down there.
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wallypilot
- Rank (9)
- Posts: 1646
- Joined: Thu Mar 04, 2004 9:59 pm
- Location: The Best Coast
Istp,
Basically all of them, with a few exceptions.
You will have to get a validation of your Canadian License, which can sometimes be painful, but definitely do-able.
Regarding Canadian Citizenship, that really doesn't make a difference. Wherever you go you would require a work permit, which can only be issued if you hold some skill or qualification to fill a position that a local cannot. As almost all the available locals have been employed with the regionals, this is very easy.
Normally, the company which hires you will take care of these two things for you.
Basically all of them, with a few exceptions.
You will have to get a validation of your Canadian License, which can sometimes be painful, but definitely do-able.
Regarding Canadian Citizenship, that really doesn't make a difference. Wherever you go you would require a work permit, which can only be issued if you hold some skill or qualification to fill a position that a local cannot. As almost all the available locals have been employed with the regionals, this is very easy.
Normally, the company which hires you will take care of these two things for you.
Basically for SVGAIR to hire you, you must already have experience on one of their aircraft, or similiar type. The last I saw they had Islanders, piston Commanders, a 402, and a Twotter. The licence validation is no big deal, the company must apply for it, and other than meeting with the local authorities and having them look at your Canadian licence, medical and logbook, that's it. As far as getting the right to work in these countries, other than Barbados, and Trinidad, immigration is not too strict.
It's very Country dependent, but often it doesn't make a difference.
The local Authority will issue you a validation that is good until X, once that date comes, you're not valid to fly anymore.
Or were you asking if you can revalidate your Canadian PPC in the Caribbean? If that is the question, the answer in 999 out of 1000 cases is no.
The local Authority will issue you a validation that is good until X, once that date comes, you're not valid to fly anymore.
Or were you asking if you can revalidate your Canadian PPC in the Caribbean? If that is the question, the answer in 999 out of 1000 cases is no.
In Belize you still need a work permit, which can take some time. Mine took a month and 750US to get. Not sure what it is now but probably about the same.
All I have to say is watch out, I lost a friend down there to poor maintenance, poorer laws, just plain poor aviation business.
Do the math, 14 passenger + 1 crew, all 4 pods underneith full, 1400lbs of fuel, 30-50'C, and a 1800ft runway. Thats a normal day down there, and those airplane wouldn't be able to be certified in canada because maintenance was a joke. Ever seen someone use bondo to fix a bird strike? Lost 1 airplane every year i was there, only had 9 in the fleet, do the math.
Great people though, lots of fun. If you can find somewhere with good maintanence and rules, great place to fly, just watch out.
All I have to say is watch out, I lost a friend down there to poor maintenance, poorer laws, just plain poor aviation business.
Do the math, 14 passenger + 1 crew, all 4 pods underneith full, 1400lbs of fuel, 30-50'C, and a 1800ft runway. Thats a normal day down there, and those airplane wouldn't be able to be certified in canada because maintenance was a joke. Ever seen someone use bondo to fix a bird strike? Lost 1 airplane every year i was there, only had 9 in the fleet, do the math.
Great people though, lots of fun. If you can find somewhere with good maintanence and rules, great place to fly, just watch out.
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sky's the limit
- Rank Moderator
- Posts: 4614
- Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 11:38 am
- Location: Now where's the starter button on this thing???
Be wary, I talk from experience.
While I'm sure there are some good operators around, and I do know of a few, there are a bunch of lousy ones.
Be particularly wary of U.S. based outfits running their machines under N Regestrations, there is NO ONE looking. The machines can be in appalling states of repair, and the maintainance that is done is often crap.
Combine that with low time pilots, 1000-1500hrs, flying turbine machines alone for the first time in tropical heat... if you don't see where I'm going with this, engines can be very very tired.
All that said, there are fantastic people to meet in that part of the world, locals, foriegners and co-workers - you can have a lot of fun.
Good luck,
STL
PS In response to the post below, there is a big difference between shabby here, and shabby there.
While I'm sure there are some good operators around, and I do know of a few, there are a bunch of lousy ones.
Be particularly wary of U.S. based outfits running their machines under N Regestrations, there is NO ONE looking. The machines can be in appalling states of repair, and the maintainance that is done is often crap.
Combine that with low time pilots, 1000-1500hrs, flying turbine machines alone for the first time in tropical heat... if you don't see where I'm going with this, engines can be very very tired.
All that said, there are fantastic people to meet in that part of the world, locals, foriegners and co-workers - you can have a lot of fun.
Good luck,
STL
PS In response to the post below, there is a big difference between shabby here, and shabby there.
Last edited by sky's the limit on Sun Jun 25, 2006 7:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
Yeah, Like anywhere in the world...use your discretion and remember that as a pilot you hold a certain responsibility. Having only 1500 hours is no excuse for flying dangerously. Honestly, how many Northern Canadian operators have shabby maintenance and tired airplanes. I would guess that there are a heap more than in the Caribbean. Regardless, if you want to visit the beaches daily...stare at beautifully sculped bodies with zero body fat...get on the horn and make it happen. Just take everything with a grain of salt. It's all been said before but don't be afraid to ask for advice if you need it.
Well what do you know, the thread is already started.
I got a call today, as a mater of fact, from FlyBVI in the Caribbean.
I was looking at the company a couple of winters ago and it looks like they are looking for a pilot or two. You need to have FAA licenses. I'll post the e-mail he sent today. PM me for more.
It was nice talking to you over the phone today and thank you for your time.
I am pleased to know that you have moved to Toronto and things are working
well for you.
Your recommendation of our company to other pilots who might be interested
in a job in the British Virgin Islands is greatly appreciated.
We operate Cessna 404, 401 and Piper Aztec under FAA Part 135 private
charters transporting high end tourists in the Caribbean.
The salary, accommodation, allowances and benefits run to US$36,000+ per
year excluding tips. As you are aware there are good tax advantages when
working in the BVI.
Candidate pilots should have FAA Commercial with CFI, CFII and MEI with Part
135 minimums and total time 1500 hours. ATP is a plus.
Thanks again for your assistance in passing the word to other pilots and all
the best to you in your present job.
Kind regards,
John Kaikati
Fly BVI Ltd.
Website: http://www.fly-bvi.com
Email: info@fly-bvi.com or jkaikati@hotmail.com
Cell: (314) 488-6221 or (284) 495-1747
I got a call today, as a mater of fact, from FlyBVI in the Caribbean.
I was looking at the company a couple of winters ago and it looks like they are looking for a pilot or two. You need to have FAA licenses. I'll post the e-mail he sent today. PM me for more.
It was nice talking to you over the phone today and thank you for your time.
I am pleased to know that you have moved to Toronto and things are working
well for you.
Your recommendation of our company to other pilots who might be interested
in a job in the British Virgin Islands is greatly appreciated.
We operate Cessna 404, 401 and Piper Aztec under FAA Part 135 private
charters transporting high end tourists in the Caribbean.
The salary, accommodation, allowances and benefits run to US$36,000+ per
year excluding tips. As you are aware there are good tax advantages when
working in the BVI.
Candidate pilots should have FAA Commercial with CFI, CFII and MEI with Part
135 minimums and total time 1500 hours. ATP is a plus.
Thanks again for your assistance in passing the word to other pilots and all
the best to you in your present job.
Kind regards,
John Kaikati
Fly BVI Ltd.
Website: http://www.fly-bvi.com
Email: info@fly-bvi.com or jkaikati@hotmail.com
Cell: (314) 488-6221 or (284) 495-1747
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retired or retarded
- Rank 2
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2005 7:19 am
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retired or retarded
- Rank 2
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2005 7:19 am
Re: Caribbean flying
Can anyone give me a heads up on operators in the Caribbean who have vans?
Any info greatly appreciated!
D
Any info greatly appreciated!
D
Re: Caribbean flying
Any update to this information? Are there any caribbean countries that still allow expat pilots?
