Flight Crew Positions Voyageur

[MAG1]

I love working for VAL. 500 hours a year on the 8, tons of money and a great crew. You do have to realize that you're in really shitty countries where the most terrible things happen. To my knowledge no one at VAL has ever been maimed in any way due to their location. I have been very scared on a couple of occasions, but as a pilot, I do have nerves of steel. I've heard some people complain when we're not in the safest situations that they didn't sign up for this. You did! It's the UN and we're in the most dangerous countries in the world. Everything KK7 says is true. Overall VAL is a good company with good people running it.

[KenoraPilot]

Work at Voyageur, PM if you want any specific information. Flying CRJ.

[kilpicki]

Tons of money??

Mag1 could you expand on this.

As I mentioned in a previous post $87,000 for 4.5 months work, 0 tax. so times 2 for CDN tax and again for 12 months, what do you get?
Did you make this much
VAL is a stepping stone, but there are much better jobs around

[MAG1]

T4 was 90 grand with around 20 grand coming on my tax return. 6 months work. First year captain too. That's alot of money for me. Who do you work for?

[Captain Kangaroo]

VAL is a stepping stone, but there are much better jobs around

I too would love to know where these jobs are.

CK

[traveller1982]

Anyone interview lately hear back yet?

[Chaxterium]

I've been with VAL now for about 2 and a half years and I love my job. As KK7 has mentioned VAL is definitely not perfect but for the most part they are quite decent to work for.

I have to say it's refreshing to see a thread about VAL that has actually stayed on course. Finally some accurate information about this company can come out. I've worked with KK7 quite a bit and I agree 100% with everything he's written about the company. He's especially correct when it comes to the people we get to work with. I've met some awesome people in this job.

Anyway for anyone who's interested I was hired on the 7 with a little over 1200 hours and about 390 mpic so that goes to show you that if you're interested you should definitely toss your resume in. Just be mindful of what you're getting in to. The flying is great, the equipment is awesome (love the Dash 7), and the people are amazing, but being away from home for 8 weeks at a time can be really tough. It never gets easier for me but the thought of finding work back home and ending up having to work more but make less is a tough pill to swallow.

Cheers,
Chax

[KenoraPilot]

VAL is a great company if you don't mind being away from Canada/loved for 8 week periods. So singles its great! Those who don't mind not flying tons (At least on the RJ, I was flying max 300 hours a year). But the money is good. As 2nd going on 3rd year F/O I was T4 $52,000 and getting $11,000 back at income tax time. Not horrible. It is one great adventure. The best thing about Voyageur is the pilots, flight attendants and maint staff. Mind you some don't always get along, but I'd have to say in the 2.5 years at VAL all the Captains and pilots I've flown with in Congo and Sudan have been awesome. But if your not a travel or patient kind of person. Africa is not the best bet for you. It will test your patients extremely with the TIA, and African Time alone! But if you want to go some places you honestly cannot go without the UN, or want to see amazing parts of Africa, and drinks new (sometimes not healthy "Primus" "Skol") beer this is for you. I have enjoyed it, minus the minor company issues which really don't amount to tooo much. It adds up but over all its been a good experience. The Sudan pilots btw awesome! Spent 6 tours in Sudan so far.

[HuD 91gt]

KenoraPilot - You've been PM'd

[mikecharlieoscar]

Can someone on the inside confirm if all positions available on the latest hire have been filled? thnks

mco

[KK7]

My understanding is all ground schools are currently filled, with rumours of potential classes come April or May. Good Luck.

[mikecharlieoscar]

thanks KK7. Maybe next time

[Youngback]

As far as hiring requirements go is it required to have a valid IFR rating and medical before you will even be considered? I have been out of the country for a couple of years now and my multi IFR rating has recently expired. I haven't seen anything posted requiring you to be current but I am curious if that is the reason I haven't heard anything. Obviously it is better to have current ratings but in my situation, that isn't practical. I have more than 4000 hours with 1500 multi turbine with about half of that multi turbine PIC. I plan on returning in early June to correct this situation.

[KK7]

As far as hiring requirements go is it required to have a valid IFR rating and medical before you will even be considered? I have been out of the country for a couple of years now and my multi IFR rating has recently expired. I haven't seen anything posted requiring you to be current but I am curious if that is the reason I haven't heard anything. Obviously it is better to have current ratings but in my situation, that isn't practical. I have more than 4000 hours with 1500 multi turbine with about half of that multi turbine PIC. I plan on returning in early June to correct this situation.

There is really no way to know for sure unless you talk to the Chief Pilot directly, but my guess would be that if you have had a valid Group 1 instrument rating within the last 24 months (meaning all you need is a ride to get it back rather than rewriting the exam, since you'll be doing a PPC ride to renew it anyways in training), you could be okay. As for a valid medical, I wouldn't bother applying unless you have a valid medical, because without it you don't even have a basic CPL.

[Mad Manx]

KK7 & others - Very interesting and sensible replies, thank you.

I have recently completed a ground tour in Afghanistan (KAF) for UK military having been made redundant as Capt on m/e turbo props. Last flew commercially in August 2009, been flying as P2 on an exec TBM-850 (PT6 s/e turbo-prop) for 6 weeks, IR not yet renewed.

I hold a UK ATPL with 5,200hrs TT of which c2,500+ is PiC on m/e turbo props inc. 1300hrs+ on DHC8 Q300 (Last flown April 2005).

Through a contact at KAF I applied to VAL and received an invite to interview at North Bay, date to be agreed. As I have to pay my own way there I want to get as many facts together beforehand before deciding whetehr to make the trip as 2 years of unemployment has taken a severe toll.

My Q's are thus:
1. Are there many/any UK pilots working for VAL?
2. Is a Canadian licence mandatory and if so, what is the conversion procedure?
3. I have UK military security clearance until 2018 and still hold a valid ISAF clearance until Jan 2012 but am not a US citizen. Any foreseen problems?
4. Bond - obviously I do not have $15 let alone $15k so how easy/tricky is it for a non-Canadian to get the mentioned loan? Does the company arrange this for you? Are the figures quoted US$ or CDN$?
5. Any other pointers you may feel vaild for my circumstances not already mentioned.

I should add that I had a brief chat with Alyssa yesterday and I am well aware of the overseas side of things etc. and as mentioned, have practical experience of Afghanistan. It's the other points mentioned that I'd rather get from someone on the inside doing the job.

I appreciate that these are a lot of questions for a newbie poster but I bask for your patience!

[KK7]

Mad Manx,

I'll try to answer your questions the best I can but I think someone might need to answer a few in more detail than what I can provide.

1. Are there many/any UK pilots working for VAL?

I am not aware of any, but that doesn't mean there aren't any. There are a lot of pilots at VAL between the DHC-7s, DHC-8s and the CRJ so I don't know them all. As far as I know on the DHC-7, for which I am the most familiar with respect to the flight crews, there are no UK pilots. Right now all the DHC-7s are operating in KAF.

2. Is a Canadian licence mandatory and if so, what is the conversion procedure?

You will require a Canadian licence as they are Canadian registered aircraft. However I am not familiar with the process to obtain the licence. I imagine it likely involves a medical and at least the two ATPL written exams, but I could be wrong on that.

3. I have UK military security clearance until 2018 and still hold a valid ISAF clearance until Jan 2012 but am not a US citizen. Any foreseen problems?

I haven't personally worked in KAF, however I don't believe you require any significant security clearance. There is a security check form that you fill out that is quite simple and it gets approves very quickly. One contract in Afghanistan is through a NATO member, one with the UN and the others with a civilian logistics company. That being said, there are numerous other bases outside of Afghanistan, most of which are with the UN and require no security clearance. There are also other charters such as holiday charters. Afghanistan is only a small (albeit increasing) part of the business.

4. Bond - obviously I do not have $15 let alone $15k so how easy/tricky is it for a non-Canadian to get the mentioned loan? Does the company arrange this for you? Are the figures quoted US$ or CDN$?

The company does arrange it for you with the local bank branch in North Bay if you wish. That being said I have no idea what it would be like for a foreign applicant with no ties to Canada. This is a topic better discussed with the management to work something out that satisfies everyone.

5. Any other pointers you may feel vaild for my circumstances not already mentioned.

Assuming you will be remaining in the UK as your domicile, there are a few pilots who live outside of Canada. Most of the main concerns I've heard from in that situation are the fact that the benefits offered will not be applicable to you, as they are supplemental to Canadian healthcare and require you to have that basic coverage. Sim recurrents are every 6 months, and for all aircraft are done in Toronto, so you can expect every one or two rotations you'll be taking several days during your off time to travel to Toronto, do a review sim session and a ride. Also, not all operations are overseas. They do occasionally do domestic charters in Canada. When doing these you do not get the overseas bonus but get what's considered to be your base domestic pay. However these charters have been few and far between in my case, and often they can find volunteers to do this (as was the case with me since I needed to stay closer to home for a couple of months for family reasons).

Keep in mind the following:

- Although the operations are international, it is a Canadian company with Canadian registered aircraft. That means you must have the right to work in Canada and hold a valid Canadian licence.

- You have a military background, but this is a civilian company don't expect it to be a military-like operation. They are money based and base their operations on Canadian airline (705) regulations.

Hopefully you can find another ex-pat on here to shed some light on the complications of licence conversion and getting set up to work in Canada. You may also find some VAL pilots who work/have worked in KAF lurking on here who can shed more light on that side of the operation.

[Chaxterium]

I'm a VAL Dash 7 pilot in KAF. The security clearance is basically a non-issue. Not something to worry about. As for the licence conversion I'm not sure. I converted my Canadian CPL to an FAA CPL and although it took a while it was quite simple, just a medical and a conversion exam but I can't speak for a JAA to Transport Canada conversion.

Best of luck.

[ng78]

Converting your UK/JAA licence to Canadian will require doing the INRAT (IFR), SARON and SAMRA (ATPL) exams. They are easy compared to the UK exams, but require some work on your part nonetheless. The biggest obstacle might be the right to work in Canada though.

[jpar84]

Hey guys,

First, thanks to those who are contributing to this thread, it is very informative!

I have read through most of the thread, but I do have one question, sorry if it has already been answered. When you are working overseas rotations are you permitted to fly commercially when you return for your 8 weeks back in Canada (ie instructing on the side).

Thanks
JP

[KK7]

When you are working overseas rotations are you permitted to fly commercially when you return for your 8 weeks back in Canada (ie instructing on the side).

There is nothing specifically prohibiting it. There are some bases where there is very little flying, and I wouldn't see it interfering with your flight hour limitations, while there are other bases where you fly to the flight time limits, in which case instructing when back home can potentially put you over the limit when you go to work overseas. I think if you exercise good judgement you should be fine.

[jpar84]

When you are working overseas rotations are you permitted to fly commercially when you return for your 8 weeks back in Canada (ie instructing on the side).

There is nothing specifically prohibiting it. There are some bases where there is very little flying, and I wouldn't see it interfering with your flight hour limitations, while there are other bases where you fly to the flight time limits, in which case instructing when back home can potentially put you over the limit when you go to work overseas. I think if you exercise good judgement you should be fine.

Great, thanks for the quick response!

JP

[Mr. North]

If you worked at home too much between tours you could jeopardize your overseas tax credit.

[jpar84]

If you worked at home too much between tours you could jeopardize your overseas tax credit.

Ah ok thanks for the heads up!

[Kestral]

I interviewed at Voyageur in the summer of 2009. At the time I was Dash 8 current with 500+ hours in the left seat. After not hearing anything back for over month on how I did in the interview, I called to see what was going on. They said I was in a hiring pool and that if a position came up that suited my overall experience level, Dash 8, CRJ, I would be contacted in the future.

Year and a half later I was contacted and offered a CRJ position in Africa. However, if I wanted the position I would have to be at ground school in 2 weeks. I just wasn't able to commit to the job right at that moment, so I asked for a day to think about it see if I would want the position and if I would end up leaving my current employer in the lurch. Well, I ended up having to make a decision right away as they needed some one ASAP. I ended up saying no. Haven't heard anything back since. Almost a year now, but I am content where I am now and I would prefer to not front 15k for the hiring bond. It's a hiring bond by the way not a training bond. Had I been offered a Dash 8 position while still current the 15k would still apply. You do get it back after a year, but not a day before.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my own experience. I'm not saying that my experience or the company is good or bad, just that if you interview, you could be waiting for some time for a position to come up. However, I do know people who have been offered something shortly after the interview. Food for thought. . .

[mR.b]

Hey guys, thanks for all the good information on Voyageur. Is anyone aware of possible upcoming G/S?