Low time pilot from Canada looking for advice
03-06-2011, 07:59 PM
#11
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2009
Posts: 45
Hey everyone,
As stated in the title, I am a 300 hour, MIFR rated pilot north of 49. I am a dual citizen, and would like to move down to the states to fly, to be closer to my gf, who lives in Georgia, and I was wondering what my prospects would look like?
The job pickings in Canada are pretty slim. It's not uncommon to work on the ground as a rampie throwing bags, or answering phones before the company you work for will give you a shot at the cockpit. The good thing is, you get a job in a turbine aircraft right off the bat-king air, metro, etc. I am working the ground at a reputable company that flies Metros, and will likely get my chance sometime in the next year to move up, however, nothing is guarenteed-it's very competitive here.
I have relatively little knowledge of what the career ladder looks like in the States-can anyone shed some light on that for me?
My understanding is a low time pilot has to CFI, tow banners, or drop skydivers until they have enough time to move on. "Moving on" is what I am unclear about, where do pilots go after towing banners or CFI'ing? Do they move on to part 135 or on to the regionals? How many hours do you need before you can get hired at a part 135 op? Are there other ways to get the time necessary to move up to the majors?
Sorry if I sound a little bit dumb, but the system is slightly different in Canada. We don't have "part 91" or "part 135" etc. Our commercial operations are divided into air taxi, commuter, and airline categories. Our "Air Taxi" category would be equal to your "part 135" category. It's most common for new pilots like me who choose not to instruct to start as a right-seater with an air operator (usually certified in the "Air Taxi" category) which allows us to build time, and eventually move up to a captains job, or a FO job on a bigger plane in the "commuter category" (which is defined as any aircraft with 10-19 seats with a Max Takeoff Weight of 19000 lbs or less).
Feel free to PM me if that's more convenient!
Thanks!
LH
As stated in the title, I am a 300 hour, MIFR rated pilot north of 49. I am a dual citizen, and would like to move down to the states to fly, to be closer to my gf, who lives in Georgia, and I was wondering what my prospects would look like?
The job pickings in Canada are pretty slim. It's not uncommon to work on the ground as a rampie throwing bags, or answering phones before the company you work for will give you a shot at the cockpit. The good thing is, you get a job in a turbine aircraft right off the bat-king air, metro, etc. I am working the ground at a reputable company that flies Metros, and will likely get my chance sometime in the next year to move up, however, nothing is guarenteed-it's very competitive here.
I have relatively little knowledge of what the career ladder looks like in the States-can anyone shed some light on that for me?
My understanding is a low time pilot has to CFI, tow banners, or drop skydivers until they have enough time to move on. "Moving on" is what I am unclear about, where do pilots go after towing banners or CFI'ing? Do they move on to part 135 or on to the regionals? How many hours do you need before you can get hired at a part 135 op? Are there other ways to get the time necessary to move up to the majors?
Sorry if I sound a little bit dumb, but the system is slightly different in Canada. We don't have "part 91" or "part 135" etc. Our commercial operations are divided into air taxi, commuter, and airline categories. Our "Air Taxi" category would be equal to your "part 135" category. It's most common for new pilots like me who choose not to instruct to start as a right-seater with an air operator (usually certified in the "Air Taxi" category) which allows us to build time, and eventually move up to a captains job, or a FO job on a bigger plane in the "commuter category" (which is defined as any aircraft with 10-19 seats with a Max Takeoff Weight of 19000 lbs or less).
Feel free to PM me if that's more convenient!
Thanks!
LH
Do you have a commercial ticket? If you've an FAA commercial I might be able to help you get a foot in the door with a company in GA. PM me when you're able.
Best,
PA
03-07-2011, 05:32 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Position: The Far Side
Posts: 968
Thanks! I am very fortunate indeed. I'm doing about 80 hours a month, and just passed 500, so it won't take me too long to get to 1000. How about age? Are they flexible on that? A lot of places say you have to be 21 (I'm just about there...).
Yes, Georgia still is my goal, and in my current situation I can afford to be picky, however...for the right job, I can be flexible!
Yes, Georgia still is my goal, and in my current situation I can afford to be picky, however...for the right job, I can be flexible!
Airline Applications
In the meantime keep flying the Metro. It's great experience. If you can understand the Metro, you can understand anything.
03-07-2011, 12:14 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2009
Posts: 596
Hey everyone,
As stated in the title, I am a 300 hour, MIFR rated pilot north of 49. I am a dual citizen, and would like to move down to the states to fly, to be closer to my gf, who lives in Georgia, and I was wondering what my prospects would look like?
The job pickings in Canada are pretty slim. It's not uncommon to work on the ground as a rampie throwing bags, or answering phones before the company you work for will give you a shot at the cockpit. The good thing is, you get a job in a turbine aircraft right off the bat-king air, metro, etc. I am working the ground at a reputable company that flies Metros, and will likely get my chance sometime in the next year to move up, however, nothing is guarenteed-it's very competitive here.
I have relatively little knowledge of what the career ladder looks like in the States-can anyone shed some light on that for me?
My understanding is a low time pilot has to CFI, tow banners, or drop skydivers until they have enough time to move on. "Moving on" is what I am unclear about, where do pilots go after towing banners or CFI'ing? Do they move on to part 135 or on to the regionals? How many hours do you need before you can get hired at a part 135 op? Are there other ways to get the time necessary to move up to the majors?
Sorry if I sound a little bit dumb, but the system is slightly different in Canada. We don't have "part 91" or "part 135" etc. Our commercial operations are divided into air taxi, commuter, and airline categories. Our "Air Taxi" category would be equal to your "part 135" category. It's most common for new pilots like me who choose not to instruct to start as a right-seater with an air operator (usually certified in the "Air Taxi" category) which allows us to build time, and eventually move up to a captains job, or a FO job on a bigger plane in the "commuter category" (which is defined as any aircraft with 10-19 seats with a Max Takeoff Weight of 19000 lbs or less).
Feel free to PM me if that's more convenient!
Thanks!
LH
As stated in the title, I am a 300 hour, MIFR rated pilot north of 49. I am a dual citizen, and would like to move down to the states to fly, to be closer to my gf, who lives in Georgia, and I was wondering what my prospects would look like?
The job pickings in Canada are pretty slim. It's not uncommon to work on the ground as a rampie throwing bags, or answering phones before the company you work for will give you a shot at the cockpit. The good thing is, you get a job in a turbine aircraft right off the bat-king air, metro, etc. I am working the ground at a reputable company that flies Metros, and will likely get my chance sometime in the next year to move up, however, nothing is guarenteed-it's very competitive here.
I have relatively little knowledge of what the career ladder looks like in the States-can anyone shed some light on that for me?
My understanding is a low time pilot has to CFI, tow banners, or drop skydivers until they have enough time to move on. "Moving on" is what I am unclear about, where do pilots go after towing banners or CFI'ing? Do they move on to part 135 or on to the regionals? How many hours do you need before you can get hired at a part 135 op? Are there other ways to get the time necessary to move up to the majors?
Sorry if I sound a little bit dumb, but the system is slightly different in Canada. We don't have "part 91" or "part 135" etc. Our commercial operations are divided into air taxi, commuter, and airline categories. Our "Air Taxi" category would be equal to your "part 135" category. It's most common for new pilots like me who choose not to instruct to start as a right-seater with an air operator (usually certified in the "Air Taxi" category) which allows us to build time, and eventually move up to a captains job, or a FO job on a bigger plane in the "commuter category" (which is defined as any aircraft with 10-19 seats with a Max Takeoff Weight of 19000 lbs or less).
Feel free to PM me if that's more convenient!
Thanks!
LH
for too long we've allowed foreigners to come into this country and take our flying jobs, with most of those nations refusing to return the favor (save asia).
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