Low Time Pilot

[ah79ca]

Hey Guys,
I live in BC and I am about to complete my commercial pilot training.
I also plan on getting my Multi and Multi IFR Rating. But for the mean time, does anyone know of any companies out there that hire pilot with 200 hours on a C-172. I prefer to work here in BC, but I am willing to move to the North Pole, just to get a job.

Also, does anyone know of reputable flight school were I should commerce my Multi/Multi IFR Rating? I am also interested in getting my Float Rating. Is taking a 50 hours course very recommended?

Thanks for any help.
Andreas

[pilotbc69]

I would suggest holding back on the multi-IFR thing until you are sure you want to get into that racket. Also if you don't want to instruct then do the 50 hr float rating, there are some good ones there in BC. Then you have found yourself a full time job....looking for a job. I would suggest chasing jobs as opposed to waiting for them to pop up....sounds simple but believe everyone on this forum when they tell you nothing is more difficult. You will be much happier if you find a job you like than finding a job that will get you a better job. Best of luck Andreas

[4hrstovegas]

Check out Perimeter for your MIFR. They are known to hire their better students for ground jobs, then onto aircraft. Do a search of this site for them.

[TTail]

Ya but how's Perimeter's turnover for rampee's to right seat? I got offered a ground job years ago but was in the middle of a move so I didn't take it, but one of the girls there she was told 6 mo's and had been waiting almost 18. Even today, a former student of mine is still waiting and has been for over a year for a Metroliner seat. Just make sure you do your homework.

LJD

[TTail]

Forgot to mention that regardless of the above info. I do recommend Perimeter for Multi-IFR as it is and has been one of the best for a long time. We frequently had students from our Club go there for that portion of their training.

LJD

[RadMan]

For your Multi IFR I highly recommend ProIFR out of the Boundary Bay airport (in BC, CZBB I think).

http://www.proifr.com

While I haven't done mine there myself, I wish I had. I have friends who have and have nothing but good things to say.

My 2 cents.

[ah79ca]

Yes, I have also heard great thing about ProIFR. I know Brian Harton, he is the owner and founder of West Wings Aviation, well, used to be, he had to close his doors due to the huge increase of insurance cost (9/11).

Anyway, I also heard good thinks about the Pacific Flying Club, also located at ZBB, how does it compare to ProIFR?

Thanks,
Andreas

[KAG]

Perimeter gets my vote. Also with their huge expansion going on, I would get in there fast...forget the IFR just get a ramp job NOW and work on the IFR as you go, on a company discount I think.

Cheers.

[ah79ca]

Hey Guys, thanks for all the great info. The last couple of days, I spent quite a bit of time in this forum...reading. Now I have some more questions, I just don't now what to do.
I love to fly short distances, “Airport Hopping” but eventually, I like to fly for an Airline/Commuter. But of course that requires a lot of hours.
I currently have about 135 hours. I already wrote my Commercial Exam. And after 15 hours or so, I should be ready to do my flight test. So that leaves 50 hours to do whatever, before I receive my CPL.
So what should I do?
Should I get my:
Float Rating?
Multi Engine?
Multi IFR?
With the Float Rating, is it recommendable to do a 50-hour course (Bush Flying)?
What are the chances of getting a job flying a Multi Engine without the IFR Rating?
To get a job, does it matter much were I conducted my training?
What about education? I don’t have a High School Degree…well; I completed all the mandatory education in Switzerland, which is equal to Grade 12.
How much of a difference is an Aviation Degree going to make?
I speak 3 Languages, Swiss, English and German. How much do you guys think it will improve my chances of getting a job?
How about applying for a job, should I just mail about a whole bunch of resumes, or should I go on the road and apply for a job in person?

Well…what is the best way to go about it?

Thanks,
Andreas

[RadMan]

OK, here's my 4 cents

Get float rating, better odds of getting a job sooner. Between 500 to 1000 hours PIC, then think about getting your Multi IFR and then be prepared to go back to the ramp for a year or two.

Do the 50 hour course, but make sure it's not all cross-country time, cuz that's not flying floats, that's flying straight lines.

I don't think education will hold you back until you look at like bigger machines, AC Jazz and that kinda of thing... College program won't help you much in the short term.

The languages could help, particular with operators that do local sightseeing and that tend to have a particular ethnic background in the community (Parry Sound, ON = Good to know German).

Just mailing resumes will get you nowhere. Try to at least call operators that you want to work for every so often. Not too often. A road trip would definitely be better, but keep in mind that road trips are expensive, and often end up being a waste of money and time. I've known guys that have spent $6,000-$8,000 on road trips and have nothing to show for it. Some people get lucky, others don't. Your call.

These are my opinions, any others care to post?

[just clearing the trees]

Well Radman, I'd have to agree with you on all counts except that if you play your cards right I think you could avoid going back to the ramp. If you're lucky enough to fly floats for a company with the right fleet (and at some point along the way get a multi rating) you could probably very easily get on a Beech 18 after a few seasons and build multi time that way until you're ready to shift to IFR if that's what you eventually want to do.
Oh, and if you're really serious about building float time, forget the 50 hour course. Check out Cat Driver's thread about the shares up for grabs in the Cub he's building.
http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopic.php?t=6810

[RadMan]

In regards to the ramp, if you play your cards right and are a bit lucky, then yes I agree with you, but there is only so much luck to go around, so I would still maintain that being prepared to do the ramp is reasonable...

In regards to Cat's Cub, ya I forgot about this option. By a share into an airplane and do your own flying is certainly a way to go. If you want dual instruction find a float driver you trust and do some dual on your cheaper airplane. Good point just clearing, forgot about that option.

RadMan

[VVindShear]

Hey I know how u must feel and I dont have the answers but from what I hear most say the 50 hr course is garbage.

I plan on doing the 7hr myself and I am working my ass off trying to get my foot in the door.

I realize that unless I get lucky I am looking for a ramp position to get started and to prove myself for a year or so before seeing any action.

I just hope us low time guys don't get jerked around too much by companies who promises ramp to air , then lay people off.

--- Anyone provide tips and methods to limit getting screwed over like this when starting out?--

Anyways best of luck!

VVindshear

[YYC the place to be]

To get your Multi IFR I would have to say Lethbridge, Alberta, CYQL a lot of companies from calgary come to lethbridge to do there training and PPC rides. It also has everything you need for a IFR rating two DME arcs five different approachs , ILS, LOC, LOC BC, NDB, & VOR. If you want to have the big airport feel Calgary is just 40 mins away, give or take a few mins with the type of twin your flying. The school I would have to say has the best instructors with lots of experience, and the best airplane is Excel Flight Training.

[ah79ca]

Well, thanks guys for all the great info.

The thing is, I love flying, and at this point, I don't really care if I get a job as a bush pilot, or fly the mail around.
Yes, eventually, I like to fly for an airline. But don’t forget, I am only 26. Or is that already old for getting into this industry?
Somebody asked me where I see myself in 5 years. Well, honestly, in five years, I wanna be married and have kids, and with that, I like a job as a pilot that can support that. I would love to fly a Beaver, or a Twin Otter.
When I fist started flying, I said, I never wanna fly long distance, because I love the landing and takeoffs, I still do, but now, I see myself flying an executive jet, now that is something I would love to do.

From all the great info I have found and received in this forum, I think the best way to get started is to find a ramp job with a company who was a large variety of aircrafts.

Now the search begins. Does anyone know of such companies? Preferably in the southwestern part of Canada.

Thanks a million.
Andreas

[water wings]

I just hope us low time guys don't get jerked around too much by companies who promises ramp to air

This word is not something you should ever take too serioulsy in the industry. The kindest and most honest people can only do so much for you when they have a business to run. That being said,

your plan to work hard and get on (or at least try) with a company that has potential for growth not only in fleet, but in respects to your career is a great idea..as far as being too old, bite your tongue!!

good luck, fly safe... keep your goals in sight, not sure if southwestern ontario is the best place to be...who knows?

[LostinRotation]

I'm rather suprised no one else mentioned this.....Have you thought about going the instructor route ?

I too initially wanted to get my CPL and MIFR then take on the aviation world. Along the way I did a 7 hr float rating and built up 50 hrs on a friends stinson thinking I would head up north for a few years. Then I came to a nasty realization....I couldn't afford it. With all the loans I had I couldn't afford to pay them off if I worked up north without my full-time job. Soooo what did I do ? I borrowed more money and did an instructor rating

I'll tell you right off the bat it's hard working 40 hrs a week at a job and then heading off to the flight school. Balancing students needs and that of a full-time job still makes my head spin, but it's worth it.
I never thought I'd say this but I love teaching. Taking dad, the son and a neigbourhood kid flying really puts a smile on my face, even after an exhausting week. I'd love to be up in the Canadian wilderness to get out of the city and just enjoy flying for a while but, I'm building great hours (10-20 week) with 4 students. As the summer approaches I know I'll get alot more time in. While I'm teaching I'll get a discount on my MIFR as well as free sim time. I have 300+ hrs now and I expect I'll have around 700 at summers end with my MIFR and a good amount of study time in for my ATPL.

Teaching isn't for everyone, but if you just love to share the flying experience and have enough patience, I suggest you look into it as a great way to pay "the dues"

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