DAC Aviation Canada/CMC Aviation Kenya?
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DAC Aviation Canada/CMC Aviation Kenya?
Looking for some info on them, I see they're based out of Montreal and Kenya, pilotcareercenter says they're expanding, but the company website goes nowhere. Any info or pm would be great. I'm currently left seat 704 op, looking for some overseas adventure and 705 experience!
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PanEuropean
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Re: DAC Aviation Canada/CMC Aviation Kenya?
The two companies (DAC Aviation Canada, and CMC Aviation Kenya) are closely related. My understanding is that DAC is an approved overhaul facility in Canada, and CMC is large air operator based out of Nairobi, Kenya. CMC operates Dash 8, CRJ, and other turbine aircraft for a variety of humanitarian and non-governmental organizations in Africa.
I visited them about a year ago, and was impressed. They are well organized and very professional operation, easily on par with any European or Canadian regional airline operating the same type of equipment. Although they operate in a 'bush' environment (East Africa), they are by no means a 'bush pilot' type of company. More like a Fortune 50 corporate flight department. The equipment is top notch, the crews go to sim training regularly, maintenance is first class, etc.
As far as I can tell, their hiring practices are a bit like Zimex - they hire only people who are highly qualified on the aircraft that they operate (no newbies), and they hire from all over the world. Crews work on a rotational basis.
Michael
I visited them about a year ago, and was impressed. They are well organized and very professional operation, easily on par with any European or Canadian regional airline operating the same type of equipment. Although they operate in a 'bush' environment (East Africa), they are by no means a 'bush pilot' type of company. More like a Fortune 50 corporate flight department. The equipment is top notch, the crews go to sim training regularly, maintenance is first class, etc.
As far as I can tell, their hiring practices are a bit like Zimex - they hire only people who are highly qualified on the aircraft that they operate (no newbies), and they hire from all over the world. Crews work on a rotational basis.
Michael
Re: DAC Aviation Canada/CMC Aviation Kenya?
Haven't worked for them, but have observed them in action.
They do run a professional operation for the type of environment they are working in.
I've noticed over the last couple of years they tend to prefer to hire pilots from "2nd world countries." They had hired a bunch of guys from the Western world (Canada, Australia, Europe, etc...) but many of those left on short order for greener pastures, after having received the lengthy and expensive Kenyan validation plus Dash 8 training (in Spain).
There are a lot of pilots from various Caribbean nations, Pacific Islands, etc, with adequate Dash 8 time who don't have career airlines they are aiming for, and will be much "stabler" employees since they won't be jumping ship. Plus the money CMC/DAC pays, which is average for the contract world, will make a guy from a 2nd world country a lot happier than a Canadian or European, who are typically looking to return home.
Just my two cents on the matter.....they are a well-run outfit, but keep in mind they are evaluating you as much as you are evaluating them. They know the game, how it works, there have been a lot of Westerners do them a disservice, so it might be harder to get on with them, or it might be not. Your mileage may vary.
Good luck.
They do run a professional operation for the type of environment they are working in.
I've noticed over the last couple of years they tend to prefer to hire pilots from "2nd world countries." They had hired a bunch of guys from the Western world (Canada, Australia, Europe, etc...) but many of those left on short order for greener pastures, after having received the lengthy and expensive Kenyan validation plus Dash 8 training (in Spain).
There are a lot of pilots from various Caribbean nations, Pacific Islands, etc, with adequate Dash 8 time who don't have career airlines they are aiming for, and will be much "stabler" employees since they won't be jumping ship. Plus the money CMC/DAC pays, which is average for the contract world, will make a guy from a 2nd world country a lot happier than a Canadian or European, who are typically looking to return home.
Just my two cents on the matter.....they are a well-run outfit, but keep in mind they are evaluating you as much as you are evaluating them. They know the game, how it works, there have been a lot of Westerners do them a disservice, so it might be harder to get on with them, or it might be not. Your mileage may vary.
Good luck.
