First bush job in BC/Yukon

[champcamp]

Hi folks,
Looking for a bit of career guidance. I’m trying to start my career as a bush/float pilot. I’ve got no interest in going to the airlines, but would eventually like to get involved with firefighting. I’m living in Ontario right now, in my second year of AME college. I’ve got a PPL with ~150tt and ~100pic, and am about to start training for my CPL. I’m planning on doing my float rating over the thanksgiving weekend. I’ve got a fair bit of tailwheel time (~70hrs), I own a Champ which I’m currently putting new fabric on, and hanging a new motor. I’ve also been volunteering as a mechanic/flight engineer at CWH, so I’ve got a bit of round engine experience. Also have plenty of small boat experience, and I hunt/fish and generally like spending time outdoors. If all goes to plan, I’ll have my CPL with ~200tt and a float rating completed when I graduate my AME program at the end of May.

From what I’ve learned, this is well into the start of the flying season for most bush outfits. At that time of year, is it likely that I still have a chance at finding a dockhand job? I’m hoping to move permanently out to BC/Yukon, and I’m curious if I’ve got a shot at getting hired by an outfit in BC/Yukon with my level of experience, especially given that almost all of my flying has been in Ontario. In the next few weeks, I’m planing on sending exploratory emails (or phone calls) to all the outfits in that region, and possibly doing a trip over the March break. Most of my mentors/friends around me are career airline guys, so I haven’t had a chance to talk to folks with recent information on how the bush industry is doing. My main question: Am I barking up the wrong tree here, or am I on the right path?

Any guidance is appreciated.
Thanks!

[floatman]

It sounds to me like you are well on your way to achieving your goal. Good for you on pulling together that amount of well rounded experience at an early stage.

I can't speak to the operators in BC/Yukon but my guess is that you absolutely shoot to the top of any list for prospective dockhands/junior pilots. With your wrenching/hunting/fishing/boating background, you will stand out for sure. I would imagine that a mountain flying course would benefit your CV greatly if you can afford a couple of G's. We could probably use you on the dock here right now for a few weeks of the hunting season if you want to get yourself around Otter/Beaver/208EX in Quebec's North Shore.

Good luck and you are definitely barking up the right tree. Know your worth, stay out of the clouds VFR and don't let anyone push you when your guts say no, tomorrow is another day and a bruised ego is better than someone having to make that painful call to your mother. A long bush career is filled with a lot of emotions, and the sooner you get those in perspective and under control, the happier you will be at work.

[champcamp]

It sounds to me like you are well on your way to achieving your goal. Good for you on pulling together that amount of well rounded experience at an early stage.

I can't speak to the operators in BC/Yukon but my guess is that you absolutely shoot to the top of any list for prospective dockhands/junior pilots. With your wrenching/hunting/fishing/boating background, you will stand out for sure. I would imagine that a mountain flying course would benefit your CV greatly if you can afford a couple of G's. We could probably use you on the dock here right now for a few weeks of the hunting season if you want to get yourself around Otter/Beaver/208EX in Quebec's North Shore.

Good luck and you are definitely barking up the right tree. Know your worth, stay out of the clouds VFR and don't let anyone push you when your guts say no, tomorrow is another day and a bruised ego is better than someone having to make that painful call to your mother. A long bush career is filled with a lot of emotions, and the sooner you get those in perspective and under control, the happier you will be at work.

Thanks for the tip Floatman! I’d love to take you up on your offer, but I’m still in AME school, so I’m unable to get away for a few weeks. Appreciate the advice. I’m fortunate to have a few mentors who are doing their best to be old pilots, not bold pilots, and I fully intend to do the same.

[champcamp]

As an add-on, has anyone gone to the All Canada Show to hand out resumes? Seems like most of the outfitters go there.