Kenn Borek Air Ramp in Calgary

[pilotdude1]

i am brand new to the aviation industry and i was looking at Kenn Borek. Ii was wondering if anyone new about the contracts they make there rampies sign and if it was for one year?

[just curious]

We have no rampies per se in Calgary.
However, we have dispatchers. They serve a one year term before being PPCed one one of our types. Three of them are being trained this week.

[Chinook7]

@Just Curious

So are you saying that KBAL hires low time pilots (200hrs, CPL/ME/IFR) for a pilot position, contingent they stick out a year working dispatch?

I am just not clear on the technicalities behind this (where are the successful candidates based, how long are they based there, how many hours are these pilots flying yearly etc.) any details would help me understand this greatly. To me it sounds like the best deal out there, work dispatch for a year while learning the company and its people. Then after one short year you are ppc'd on a king air or twin otter. By no means do I challenge this notion, however it seems a little too good to be true, seeing how many operators up north (Tindi, ASC, Summit) are telling guys 1.5 yrs. to 2 yrs.

Could you elaborate on this or PM.

Thanks in advance,

-Chinook

[Rowdy]

When I was there, there were dispatchers in Calgary, and Iqaluit. Of the five I knew, Four are now flying and the fifth didn't have a CPL. IIRC it was around the year mark that all of those four were PPC'd, some maybe a little longer (couple months) some maybe a littler shorter, depending on the companies needs at the time. A lot of good, hard working people have gone this route at borek, or come through the paint or metal shop. Mind you, I haven't turned a prop at Borek since 2010, so times may have changed, but I doubt it.

Your other questions can all be found if you search for info on Borek on the forum.

[Beefitarian]

How receptive are they to part time guys and do they hire many entry level warehousing workers? I could PM a more serious back ground if they do.
Or you can just consider me a wanna be rock star with a three ton truck who likes to look at girl pictures, fly 172s and eat pizza.

[just curious]

So are you saying that KBAL hires low time pilots (200hrs, CPL/ME/IFR) for a pilot position, contingent they stick out a year working dispatch?

We have. We will. A fair chunk of the last few had a bit more time instructing, but some had the absolute minimums for a commercial/IFR. We hired a few pilots with thousands of time, but no off-strip time, so their line qualification slowed down the training/Hiring Pipeline.

I am just not clear on the technicalities behind this (where are the successful candidates based, how long are they based there, how many hours are these pilots flying yearly etc.) any details would help me understand this greatly.

When hired at flight following, they live in YYC. As pilots, it depends on where they are rotated to. Western Arctic... YYC, YEG. Eastern Arctic... Trawna Ottawa Montreal. Generally pilots rotate to the same base for a year or more.

how many hours are these pilots flying yearly etc.) any details would help me understand this greatly.

I can't really say, but an Otter driver 500-1000 depending on bases; Kingair 300-700.

[CFIT]

Whats the deal with the 1900D they got sitting on the ramp?

[Indanao]

Cannot believe that a person with a couple thousand hours in a Navajo ( say ) is slower to advance than a new 250hr Pilot. WTF?
One of the best companies in the world would know though. Says allot about Offstirp versus Onstrip differences, and also about the lack of ability of the Company Check Pilots.

[Beefitarian]

I hope north was just typing and missed my post otherwise I'll take the silence as a, "no soup for you!"

[Wacko]

I remember reading a condition letter a year or two back.. I believe (and don't quote me on this) that they will PPC you on an aircraft type after a year of service on the ramp if they have the need or not.. so technically, you could walk away after a year of ramp etc with a... say KA PPC...

.. things may have changed.

[WileyCoyote]

Or you could be an F/A on the Basler for a year instead.

[Rowdy]

Indano.. The off strip work the twins do is pretty freakin demanding.. you can't just cut loose some 2500hr guy with basic line indoc and say 'here.. go and pickup the guys on the floating sea ice'. Doesn't work. Nor should it. 'Offstrip' at KBA isn't just prep'd gravel runways somewhere in the north lands.. its usually a spot where perhaps nobody has landed previously. Ever. The company check pilots and training skippers while I was there (I believe they're all still driving for borek) are some of the best I've ever had the privilege to learn from and fly with. JC included..However if I read you wrong, it may certainly say something about some of the other companies lack of qualified training and indoc people Especially some of the navajo ops.

Beef.. get in there and apply! They're usually looking for someone somewhere in the hangars

JC - I think theres only one or two of the beech guys that break 500hrs a year and both are likely on this board! In 2007-8-9.. we found that the cojoes on the beeches were averaging 380hrs/yr. While the Twin guys were closer to 550. The higher ones(beech side) being on shoals 650 IIRC and the lowest, 270hrs.. This was of course after much debate and discussion in the palace and 40 Alder.. beverage induced no less.

Wacko, No.. that is not correct. The second you're given a fresh PPC from Borek.. even after a year in dispatch etc.. you are still signing the promissory note stating that you'll stick around for 12 months.

[Brantford Beech Boy]

...The higher ones(beech side) being on shoals 650 IIRC ....

I did 850+ last year

WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
BBB

[Rowdy]

...The higher ones(beech side) being on shoals 650 IIRC ....

I did 850+ last year

WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
BBB

I knew you were gonna chime in.. Mr. Workaholic Next up.. MFA! hahaha

[Beefitarian]

Beef.. get in there and apply! They're usually looking for someone somewhere in the hangars

Thanks. I know you said to search and maybe I should switch to PM but...

Do you know if they need the services of a YYC based three ton flat deck in Alberta? Would a van body be better? And do they used the same outfits all the time? I thought about cold calling but should probably make a appointment. A contact name would be pretty bonus. I can PM my business phone number if someone wanted a bit more trust.

[Beefitarian]

Wacko, No.. that is not correct. The second you're given a fresh PPC from Borek.. even after a year in dispatch etc.. you are still signing the promissory note stating that you'll stick around for 12 months.

Which just makes it more valuable because you will have actual time on type. That's a good deal in my opinion.

[Chinook7]

@JC

So by rotation do you mean that a guy could be "based" in Calgary but required to ship off to one of these bases to actually fly for the given rotation time? Also how long are these rotations?
I apologise if the question sounds stupid, I am just not clear on that particular point.

Also, how often is Kenn Borek looking for guys to fill these dispatch/paint/ flight following jobs? Is this a pretty regular position opening? Finally what credentials make a candidate more desirable than others.

Best,

-Chinook

[Beefitarian]

Western Arctic... YYC, YEG. Eastern Arctic... Trawna Ottawa Montreal.

Basically that means you could work out of temporary camps. During off times you would live in the cities.
Calgary or Edmonton working from camp in the western arctic.
Toronto, Ottawa or Montreal working from camps in the eastern arctic.
You might be able to live somewhere in the north if you wanted but most of their staff don't.*

*Just a guess not to be construed as actual advise from a real life Ken Borek employee.

[KAG]

Cannot believe that a person with a couple thousand hours in a Navajo ( say ) is slower to advance than a new 250hr Pilot. WTF?
One of the best companies in the world would know though. Says allot about Offstirp versus Onstrip differences, and also about the lack of ability of the Company Check Pilots.

If this were the case maybe the HO pilot needs to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask what their doing wrong.

[Brantford Beech Boy]

@JC

So by rotation do you mean that a guy could be "based" in Calgary but required to ship off to one of these bases to actually fly for the given rotation time? Also how long are these rotations?Chinook

As said above, we have regular bases in YFB, YRB and YEV and the rotations are either 2 or 3 weeks on base and then 2 or 3 weeks at home (depends on type/base/contract) and of course the time in Antarctica is either full (4 month) or half (2 month) tours (or so I've heard. I avoid cold wxx ops where I can)

We also have several international contract around the globe where the rotations are longer (4 or 6 week rotations)

If you live in YYC on your time out, you may be required to fly out of there during your time away from base, but my understanding is this is rare.

AKAIK, we only have 1 crew that is full time YYC based. The rest are on rotation to one or other of the bases.


The dispatch positions are filled as needed. As we are putting several of them on the line forthwith, I would assume they will be looking for replacements.....

BBB

[cj555]

What is the best way to approach KBA? Drop in with a resume, or just apply online? Or both?