How to land a CL-215/415 Job?

[Papa Delta]

Dear All,

I am looking for some advice and I’m sure I came to the right place. I read some earlier posts on the matter but I am hoping to get some updated guidance from some of you guys in the industry.

First some background:

I currently hold an FAA and Canadian ATP with Single, multi engine land and sea ratings.
I have about 5600 hours total time with 2700 hours multi engine sea (Twin Otters on floats). 1500 hours PIC MES.
I previously worked in Canada as a fire spotter on Cessna 182RG for Exact-Air and the Sopfeu in 2005 and 2006.
I am fluent in French and English.
I am a landed permanent resident and I am legal to work and live in Canada.

I currently fly a Citation Jet in Florida but I am very bored with it. I’d love to go back to a stick and rudder gig and back on the water.
Also, I am really looking forward to leave the US and move back to Canada.

According to my limited research, it seems that most operators are looking for a minimum of 1000 hours PIC on floats as a pre-requirement.

The SAG of Quebec did advertised pilot positions in November 2010 and the MNR of Ontario in 2010 for the CL-415 and 2008 for the DHC-6. I couldn’t find anything online regarding other provinces. Does anyone in the business have any inside info regarding future hiring plans?

My guess is hiring is done around December or January in preparation for the next fire season.

Unfortunately, I do not know anyone in the industry besides a few ground crews at the Sopfeu. I fear most hiring is done internally or from knowing someone.

I would be very happy to start with an entry-level position on a Twin Otter or something else.

Driving rain, CLguy and North Shore, I am hoping to hear from you and get your insight. However, I understand that you are most likely busy this time of summer.
Please do not hesitate to PM me.

Kind regards and many Thx for your help.

[tallyho]

Airspray has the contract in Alberta, Buffalo Air in NWT and Conair in BC I believe. It definitely helps to know people at these companies but I know Airspray has hired people without an internal reference. I believe you usually spend at least one season as bird dog before going on the 215.

[bigredone]

I believe the above poster knows nothing of what they speak. Instead of looking for "information" from this site filled with anonymous know nothings (I include myself in this category), why don't you...wait for it, wait for it.......contact the company/agency? Conair(operates Alberta gov 215Ts), Buffalo(operates NWT 215s), AirSpray(no 215s since 2007?), SK Gov, MB Gov, OMNR, PQ Gov, Forrest Protection Limited(AT802s only), NFLD Gov. Use this internet thingy to find the corresponding phone numbers.

[North Shore]

Start firing off resumes now. Private operators might start looking for people in the winter, but the governments, well, they're governments, and will look for people when they need them.

Are you looking for a career here, or just a few years of fun before swanning off to Air CanTranWestPort? Certainly, at my place, it'll be ~ 2 years doing general transport before you see the fire side of things. After that, the general plan is to put newcomers in the RHS of the 415 for a year, and then into the 'dog.
I believe that Ontariario has a Beaver - Twotter - 415 path, but DR and CL are better equipped to speak to that...

Dunno much about the other places.

[cloudrunner]

I believe the above poster knows nothing of what they speak. Instead of looking for "information" from this site filled with anonymous know nothings (I include myself in this category), why don't you...wait for it, wait for it.......contact the company/agency? Conair(operates Alberta gov 215Ts), Buffalo(operates NWT 215s), AirSpray(no 215s since 2007?), SK Gov, MB Gov, OMNR, PQ Gov, Forrest Protection Limited(AT802s only), NFLD Gov. Use this internet thingy to find the corresponding phone numbers.

Wow, what a douchebag response to a thoughtfully-worded question by a seemingly nice guy with a pretty snappy resume. Good luck Papa Delta.

[Papa Delta]

North Shore:

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post.

It will certainly be a career move as I have no desire to fly for the airlines.
As previously mentioned, I would be very happy with an entry-level position and work my way up.
I will follow your advice and start saturating the industry with my resume.

Cloudrunner:

Thank you for your kind words

[Just Duckie]

Don't forget about Aero Flite in Kingman AZ.

[North Shore]

Good catch, Ducks! I'd forgotten about them!

[Forestdump]

Don't muck about with the Canadair products. The future of aerial forest fire control comes from Air Tractor. But I'm not bitter.

[North Shore]

PapaDelta, seen this: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=91455 Best I can tell is that the Quebec Government will be looking this fall... I think that would be a great gig, based out of Quebec city, and rotations through the season, IIRC.

[bubby]

http://jobsearch.gov.mb.ca

Pilot
PL3 Pilot 3
Regular/full-time
Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation
Air Services, Supply and Services Division
Winnipeg MB
Advertisement Number: 27950
Salary(s): PL3 $70,080.00 - $85,106.00 per year
Closing Date: November 1, 2013
An eligibility list may be created for similar positions and will remain in effect for 12 months.
A satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Registry Check are conditions of employment.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate must have:
Progressive aviation work history which includes a total of 3000 hours flying time, minimum 600 hours multi-engine PIC, minimum of 500 hours of the aforementioned flight hours must have been accumulated in geographically remote Canadian locations.
Flight experience within the last several years of which seventy-five percent must have been obtained in either/or a combination of 604, 704, 703 and 702 flight operations.
Thorough knowledge and understanding of Canadian Aviation Regulations.
Strong working knowledge of weather systems.
Strong working knowledge of aircraft systems, abnormal emergency procedures and limitations.
Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
Excellent team player.
Good leadership skills.
Excellent time management and organizational skills.
Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions under pressure.

Conditions of Employment:
Valid Airline Transport Pilot's license.
Restricted Radio license.
Canadian Passport.
Ability to obtain a Restricted Area Security Pass.
Class 5 Driver’s licence.
Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Duties:
The successful candidate will be required to act as Pilot-In-Command and/or First Officer on Manitoba’s aircraft engaged in General Transport, Fire Suppression and Air Ambulance duties as assigned by the Operations Manager and/or Chief Pilot.
Apply to:
Advertisement # 27950
Civil Service Commission
Human Resource Services
300-305 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB, R3C 3J7
Phone: 204-948-1271
Fax: 204-948-2193
Email: govjobs@gov.mb.ca
Please quote the Advertisement Number and the Position Name in the subject line of your email.
Employment Equity is a factor in selection. Applicants are requested to indicate in their covering letter or resumé if they are from any of the following groups: women, Aboriginal people, visible minorities and persons with a disability.
We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Your cover letter, resumé and/or application must clearly indicate how you meet the qualifications.

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[kev994]

I saw an ad for CL415 jobs last week, both PIC and cojo, could have sworn it was on pilotcareercenter.com, but can't for the life of me find it.

[angry inch]

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=92234
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=92233

[kev994]

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=92234
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=92233

I knew I saw that somewhere!

[Papa Delta]

In a crazy universe, where every single planet are perfectly aligned, and you had to chose to work (fly) for either Conair, Ontario MNR, Gov of Québec, or Forest Protection Limited. Witch one would you rather work for and why?

Please give me pros and cons.

[CLguy]

Why not Airspray, Saskatchewan Gov't, Manitoba Gov't, Newfoundland Gov't.

[North Shore]

PD,

I'd say it depends upon where you want to live...if you can handle living year-round in the town in which you are based, then they're all decent gigs.

Nice thing about Ontario and Quebec is that they work rotations (10 on, 5 off?) and they'll take you back to your home base for those days off...if you happen to live in your 'home base', then, they'd be a pretty sweet gig.. If I could speak French with any degree of elan, I'd go with Quebec, as Q.City it seems like a great place to live, year-round..

Dunno anything about FPL...

Choose wisely, young padawan!

[Papa Delta]

Why not Airspray, Saskatchewan Gov't, Manitoba Gov't, Newfoundland Gov't.

By no means, I do not wish to discriminate. It’s just that they are not part of the equation yet.
I hope they will eventually.