Flight Crew Positions Voyageur

[ogc]

Just out of curiosity, have there been any incidents involving the local populations in these areas?

From my limited knowledge of world conflicts at the moment, all of those places have some pretty heavy stuff going on?

[deafbob]

Re the US Machines, yes the guy did say it a high maintenance machine, we all know the -7 is VERY hi maint but being in maintenance we talked salary. He's doing about $220,000 a yr with a IA and me with a M1M2 only half that. Not for VAl obviously.

[KK7]

Re the US Machines, yes the guy did say it a high maintenance machine, we all know the -7 is VERY hi maint but being in maintenance we talked salary. He's doing about $220,000 a yr with a IA and me with a M1M2 only half that. Not for VAl obviously.

That's what contracts in Afghan should be making, and most do. You're right, at VAL the Afghan pay is nowhere near that.

[conehead]

Does one have to be a U.S. citizen to work for Telford on the Afghan contract?

[JTF01]

Does one have to be a U.S. citizen to work for Telford on the Afghan contract?

Yes. All the US war zone air operators require it, as they give security clearances as well. There may have been some exceptions in the early part of the Iraq or Afghanistan war, but those days are long since over.

If you're looking to make more than VAL $, your best bet is to try with the South African UN operators, as these can pay upwards of $10k/month when in the field.

[KK7]

If you're looking to make more than VAL $, your best bet is to try with the South African UN operators, as these can pay upwards of $10k/month when in the field.

Safair is one of the main S. African UN contractor. YOu can make big bucks depending on the machine you fly, but they usually look for significant experience on that particular machine, like the civilian version of the C130.

http://www.safair.co.za/

[Carrier]

Quote: "I've done about 200-250 per year."

In two-pilot operations captains and F/Os normally both like to have a fair share of actual flying and instrument approaches. Normally the captain and F/O do alternate legs. If you do this at VAL you actually get to fly only 100-125 hours per year. Your instrument approaches are similarly limited in number, particularly as with a 2/2 rotation you would have at least three months off during the wet season in Africa. That is nowhere near enough to maintain one's skills at a safe level!

Does VAL provide simulator refresher opportunities on each two months when back in Canada or at least every six months to maintain skills at a safe level or does it do nothing between PPCs and let its pilots' skills degrade to unsafe levels during the intervening period?

I am not joking about this. I made the mistake of joining a company where it was normal to do only 220-250 hours per year. (Yes, it "oversold" the amount of expected flying!) We actually flew and did approaches during just 110-125 hours per year. The company provided no training whatsoever between obtaining the PPC and the recurrent training (two flights totalling 2.4 hours) a full year later. It is a concern how one's skills deteriorate in such a situation. Note that so-called "hangar flying" is no substitute for training in an aircraft or a decent full motion simulator. Note also that in major airlines it is normal for all pilots to be given proper simulator training at least every six months to ensure that their skills are kept at a safe standard; that is for pilots whose annual total is 800+ hours.

[WestCoastPilot]

I'm also interested in the response to Carrier's question.

Also, I have a question of my own. I'm sure the Voyageur guys can give me some of the best answers. I posted it elsewhere, but this might be the best place to get the response I need.


I am leaving for a job overseas next week. I tried to get a Skype phone number, but they did not offer Canadian phone numbers through their service. What is the best way to get a web-based Canadian phone number that will reliably answer all my Canadian calls. I don't mind getting a new Canadian phone number for this, I just want the service to be reliable. And I don't want to have to get a US or Polish phone number, like Skype was steering me towards!

Thanks for all inputs

WestCoast Pilot

[fish4life]

Quote: "I've done about 200-250 per year."

In two-pilot operations captains and F/Os normally both like to have a fair share of actual flying and instrument approaches. Normally the captain and F/O do alternate legs. If you do this at VAL you actually get to fly only 100-125 hours per year. Your instrument approaches are similarly limited in number, particularly as with a 2/2 rotation you would have at least three months off during the wet season in Africa. That is nowhere near enough to maintain one's skills at a safe level!

Does VAL provide simulator refresher opportunities on each two months when back in Canada or at least every six months to maintain skills at a safe level or does it do nothing between PPCs and let its pilots' skills degrade to unsafe levels during the intervening period?

I am not joking about this. I made the mistake of joining a company where it was normal to do only 220-250 hours per year. (Yes, it "oversold" the amount of expected flying!) We actually flew and did approaches during just 110-125 hours per year. The company provided no training whatsoever between obtaining the PPC and the recurrent training (two flights totalling 2.4 hours) a full year later. It is a concern how one's skills deteriorate in such a situation. Note that so-called "hangar flying" is no substitute for training in an aircraft or a decent full motion simulator. Note also that in major airlines it is normal for all pilots to be given proper simulator training at least every six months to ensure that their skills are kept at a safe standard; that is for pilots whose annual total is 800+ hours.

Its legally required to do sim rides every 6 months so yes they do

[Carrier]

fish4life,
Thanks for the quick response and it's good to know that VAL does this every six months.

[fish4life]

As long as a simulator exists in North America all Canadian 705 operators must send their pilots for sim training every 6 months. It may not be a ride everytime as LOFT (line oriented flight training) but in most cases the LOFT is much more in depth and can be better training than a sim ride.

[KK7]

Carrier raises a valid point, as many of us do feel the deterioration particularly when we return from 2 months of time off every time.

VAL renews PPCs every 6 months in full motion sims at either Flight Safety in Downsview or at CAE. Sometimes with the timing of the rotations, it means each time off you go to sim, while others you skip a couple (for example if you got it signed off within 90 days of its expiry, it's as if you renewed on the expiry date giving you up to 9 months until the next one is due).

As for the question about Skype, I have no idea. Nobody I know does this. Usually people use Skype over the internet (either call a Canadian phone or Skype to Skype), most bases have a VOIP phone where someone can call a Canadian number and it goes to the base, but is shared amongst everyone, or people from home text our overseas cell phones.

[wyndham]

has anybody heard back yet?

[HuD 91gt]

I have. Sounds like they are doing interviews on a continuous basis, or are very open on dates either way.

[wyndham]

I heard from them today. Doing interviews this week and next, didn't ask beyond that. I tried to ask how many positions they are hiring for but they wouldn't say. Interviews are only in North Bay and you have to pay your own way.

[KK7]

My sources tell me there is only one groundschool left and they've called out for most of the interviews already. They've just completed 2 groundschools. I'm sure they will keep looking shortly after though so keep the resumes flowing if you're interested, and keep your file updated.

[wyndham]

My sources tell me there is only one groundschool left and they've called out for most of the interviews already. They've just completed 2 groundschools. I'm sure they will keep looking shortly after though so keep the resumes flowing if you're interested, and keep your file updated.

any idea what plane that's for? or which the previous ground schools were for?

[KK7]

All groundschools have been and will be for the 7, 8 and CRJ, from what I understand. Sorry this isn't much help, but this is how they work.

[Johnny#5]

I'm also interested in the response to Carrier's question.

Also, I have a question of my own. I'm sure the Voyageur guys can give me some of the best answers. I posted it elsewhere, but this might be the best place to get the response I need.


I am leaving for a job overseas next week. I tried to get a Skype phone number, but they did not offer Canadian phone numbers through their service. What is the best way to get a web-based Canadian phone number that will reliably answer all my Canadian calls. I don't mind getting a new Canadian phone number for this, I just want the service to be reliable. And I don't want to have to get a US or Polish phone number, like Skype was steering me towards!

Thanks for all inputs

WestCoast Pilot

Might help, and I'm not sure the exact details of the product but do a search online into 'magicJack' phone.

[wyndham]

Quote: "I've done about 200-250 per year."

that's really not that much, sounds like a lot of sitting around? Is this more or less the same at any of the bases or planes?

Anyone who's been for the interview care to share some of what they like to ask? Any info would be appreciated, thanks.

[Sea Legs]

Wyndham: thought you were applying to Ornge? Stop asking everyone for info on the interview. What do you honestly think they ask you? One good guess is HR questions which are pretty standard! Prepare like everyone else and not get questions asked previously and have a pre prepared answer in the interview. Stop riding the hard work of others for your lack of eagerness to prepare for a job!

[wyndham]

Wyndham: thought you were applying to Ornge? Stop asking everyone for info on the interview. What do you honestly think they ask you? One good guess is HR questions which are pretty standard! Prepare like everyone else and not get questions asked previously and have a pre prepared answer in the interview. Stop riding the hard work of others for your lack of eagerness to prepare for a job!

I'll bite...Interview couldn't have gone any better, I expect the same at VAL, because I prepare. I've since had people ask me about the interview and I've told them as much as I could, I pay it forward and help others where I can. I always do well in interviews and I don't feel threatened by passing on info. Avcanada is one resource I use for information, if it puts me one step ahead of others who chose not to use it, perfect....Like your not going to be asking as many resources as possible what to expect when WJ or AC come knocking.

[traveller1982]

Just out of curiosity, have there been any incidents involving the local populations in these areas?

From my limited knowledge of world conflicts at the moment, all of those places have some pretty heavy stuff going on?

Just wondering about this as well. How is living there in regards to safety?

[KK7]

Quote: "I've done about 200-250 per year."

that's really not that much, sounds like a lot of sitting around? Is this more or less the same at any of the bases or planes?

Anyone who's been for the interview care to share some of what they like to ask? Any info would be appreciated, thanks.

It varies from base to base. The flying is scheduled by the customer and some bases have a busy regular schedule, while other bases are more on an on call basis. A couple of the bases are on contracts that require more than one crew for the aircraft so that the aircraft could potentially fly anytime, however often it never happens, its more of a just in case. In these latter cases, all the flying is then split between two crews. I've worked at bases where we are lucky to fly 40 hours a month, while other bases we've been flirting with flight time limits at 120 hrs per month. I've also been at a base where one month we fly over 100 hours, while the next month we fly 30. It varies a lot from place to place.

Luckily, most of the bases have decent things to do. Some people do this job because they want to fly lots with lots of time off (that's me, so I try to go for busy bases if I can), some to fly overseas for the sake of going overseas (that used to be me), and some do it because if you can get a quiet base, it's like being on holiday all year 'round and get paid to do nothing (not my cup of tea, but for some this is perfect). So to each their own.

My interview, although several years back, were standard HR questions and nothing else. There was a reading comprehension thing where I read a simple definition out loud from the FARs manual, then told them what I thought it meant in my own words. It was silly and simple, but apparently someone showed up once who didn't know how to read?! Anyways, I'd suggest it's more important to have your references lined up, they seem pretty quick at calling them after the interview, like same day.

[FlipFlops]

Anybody that has recently went for an interview at Voyageur could you PM me please, I have a question or two. Thanks