Pt Alberni Glider tow pilot add

[Big Pistons Forever]

My understanding is that the glider outfit in Port Alberni BC does not pay its tow pilots. Can anybody confirm this ?. If this is in fact the case the adertisment should be be removed from the "job" forum as an unpaid position is not a "job".

[modi13]

No, but you'll have to give some "jobs" in a back alley to pay your rent.

[Ralliart]

If this is in fact the case the adertisment should be be removed from the "job" forum as an unpaid position is not a "job".

+1

[Sulako]

I called the number listed and confirmed it's a paid job. "It's not great pay, but it is a paid position" was the quote I got.

[MG_]

I was in touch with the owner about this position and can confirm that it is infact a paid position. Actually, it's fairly decent pay considering many gliding clubs don't pay their pilots. Lodging is not included but even with that factored in, you're still banking more than enough for beer money. The owner seemed quite reasonable and accommodating. Sounds like a great place to do some timebuilding, make some contacts, and have some fun.

[Dagwood]

Do you have to pay for a $4000 checkout?

[Invertago]

no

[pez]

Yes, it is paid - as others have said, very poorly (but more than most gliding clubs, which pay nothing). The ad is up because I'm leaving - I'm currently one of the two tow pilots, and also fly the glider doing sightseeing. Heard back from a company I'd visited on a very long road trip about a dispatch job that'll lead to a King Air pretty soon - a decent looking operation I'd been hoping to hear back from (but didn't expect to so soon).

I took the job here because I wanted to fly this summer, and not work a ramp if not absolutely necessary. Glad that I did, despite the poor money.

The owner is a really decent guy, good to work for, really good guy - more in it for the love of flying than the business side, I think. The folks that come out from the club are great too, as is the other tow pilot. The flying is fun - if you're a glider pilot, great conditions for it around here - solid thermals, ridge lift most days, mountain wave every now and then. Scenery is also just beautiful. Mountains, glacier, lakes, ocean, forest, ridges...

The glider is a very nice aircraft to fly (PW-6U) - not particularly high performance at 34:1, but new (2007), and if you've only flown Cadet 2-33A's before, like a sports car - though the butt cushion in the back seat feels a bit thin after an hr or so.

The tow plane is a 150 HP Pawnee - underpowered for towing, but a solid little airplane that keeps chugging along, and is well maintained by the local AME. Annual finished today, engine is top notch, makes no metal, has brand new plugs, good compression. New CHT installed, "new" radio that's a marked improvement over the old one... New elevator cable and some control cable pulleys to be done within the next 10 hrs. She's a well taken care of, solid little airplane. Easy taildragger to fly, and an airplane that grows on me more ever time I settle into what feels like an overstuffed old vinyl car seat... Heck, it's even got the nicest 4 point harness I've seen, with an inertia reel!

Upshot is - the job is fun, the flying is fun. You'll work every day the weather is decent, fairly long hours (and no, there is NOTHING in the CARs re: commercial gliding operations and duty time limits). Equipment is good, corners aren't cut on safety related items, the people are good people. Downside is that the money sucks....but at this point it's only for Aug/Sep anyway. I'd do it again, and wish I could defer going to this other company longer than I have - but I just can't turn that down.

Also, for anyone interested, I have an apartment for the summer with the other tow pilot. Comes to about $350/month - all set up, ready to go and furnished, albeit sparsely.

Post or PM me if any questions.


Cheers,
Colin

[pez]

Oh, on the checkout question - that's sort of an unfortunate bit. The Pawnee is a single seater. Sooo - you have to get a tow checkout at a club or gliding operation with a Citabria or something. 5 tows required for the insurance. Was about 2 hrs for me... circuits in the tow plane, and then 5 tows. There are a number of places that'll do it.

[into the blue]

Thanks, pez, excellent info. What are the minimum tailwheel/glider times they are looking for?

[pez]

To be honest, the owner is really looking for primarily a glider pilot for the next 2 months. If you meet the requirements on the tow plane side, you'll fly about half the tows. If you just want to fly the glider (which is more fun than the tow plane in most cases), the other tow pilot will be happy...

Insurance wants only 25tt in gliders+plus the OK of the owner (who is a very experienced glider instructor) for the glider. For the tow plane, they want 25 hrs taildragger, but they approved me when my details were submitted - 250tt, 10 taildragger with 50 takeoffs and landings +glider. As mentioned above, if you're flying the tow plane, the 5 tow checkout is also required.

[pez]

Also, for the commercial passenger carrying deal, TC wants EITHER Glider Pilot Licence + Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplane), OR Glider Pilot Licence + Glider Instructor.

[Big Pistons Forever]

As it turns out I ended up passing along bad info which I feel bad about. I am glad someone with personal knowledge was able to set the story straight. It is good to see an entry level job that appears to be run properly with good equipment and proper maintainance. Good luck to whoever gets the position.

[volez]

Greetings folks !


Just to give you my insight. I worked there full time in Spring Summer 2008 and man, I really had a blast ! Yeah the money was a bit weak but like everyone said it is indeed rare to get paid in Canada for that type of operation beside any cadets programms.
To make the story short I :

Built some valuable time on the Pawnee that I am still missing now, had my first responsibilities as a commercial pilot ( ranging from : focusing on avoiding shock cooling up to taking care of the customers appealing by the operation coming to see the operation , attending the maintenance sessions etc )

The owner is a very fair as an employer. As a man , he is totaly passionnate about what he does, he always focuses on safety, he is a very good guy and man I had unforgettable times in the air working for this guy, especially when people went for the 1 hour flight

The scenery in which you work is mindblowing. It is one of the most beautiful spot I had the chance to fly over in Canada so far.

The glider is very slick all fiber glass polish glider brand new from 2007, very easy to tow, and customers love it !

All in all, Vancouver Island Soaring Centre is a worthwhile operation to work for and like myself you will remember your summer in the Alberni Valley with a large smile. It happens to me anytime I think about it flying the B200 over the Arctic .


I wish you the best to get this very nice position !




Chris

[Panama Jack]

It is nice to see volez and pez stepping up to the plate to testify for VISC. I had the pleasure of doing a little flying with them a few summers ago and all I can say is that Andrezj is one of the most decent, understanding guys who a low-time guy could get a job with. I wish he had been around when I was trying to log my first few hours.

I am not surprised that the pay is not great, but then again, I sometimes wonder if (and hope that) he will have a sustainable enough business to be around for many years. Work hard for him and be honest and he will treat you like a son and only be all too happy for you when you get your next "bigger airplane" gig.

I am glad this has been clarified.

[Phlyer]

Kudos to these folks - both the operator and the people that work/worked there.
We need more of this on Avcanada.

[Bushav8er]

Upshot is - the job is fun, the flying is fun. You'll work every day the weather is decent, fairly long hours (and no, there is NOTHING in the CARs re: commercial gliding operations and duty time limits).

Really?

Seems that 1) you are flying for reward - pay = commercial and 2) operating under 702 - Commercial Air Services - Aerial Work

702.01 (1) Subject to subsection (2), this Subpart applies in respect of the operation of an aeroplane or helicopter in aerial work involving

(a) the carriage on board of persons other than flight crew members;

(b) the carriage of helicopter Class B, C or D external loads;

(c) the towing of objects; or
(amended 1999/06/01; previous version)

(d) the dispersal of products.

Therefore 720.15 & 720.16 apply -

Where the flight is conducted under Subpart 2 or 3 of Part VII of the Canadian Aviation Regulations

Am I wrong?
On the bright side its good to see people here work together to provide creditable information to those seeking it.

[pez]

Yeah, that's the closest I could find too, when scouring the CARs a few months ago. Spoke with TC and SAC (Soaring Association of Canada), and it's not 702. Sorta exists in a regulatory void. Gliding operations are normally clubs in Canada, only 3 or 4 commercial operations, and my understanding is they have their rules provided by TC on a case by case basis.

I was surprised too....

Just spoke with the other tow pilot who's still there, (he's happy I left, as he doubled his monthly time) - they've been doing well the last month and a half and getting by just fine without the extra tow pilot/glider pilot. Wish I could've stayed for the summer, rather than work dispatch since the beginning of August - though this should lead to the right seat of a King Air before long, so I really ought not complain. The flying there was a LOT of fun.

Cheers,
Colin

[pez]

One more thing on 702 and the CARs, as relating to commercial gliding operations - I called TC because I was frustrated at finding only that single line quoted above, and it didn't seem to quite fit (I wanted to know the duty time limits, etc). After all, a glider is a little more than just an "object" - it's an aircraft with a pilot and perhaps passenger.

TC actually directed me to SAC, as they deal with all the clubs. All that TC really seems to care about, when they give a commercial gliding operation their rules, is pilot qualifications for pilots flying paying passengers or towing. That's it. The aircraft are private registrations, in the name of the business, believe it or not. All done with the blessing of TC.


Cheers,
Colin

[Bushav8er]

Interesting but when it comes to TC - get it in writing!