Victoria BC, Maintenance Opportunities?

[Riverat]

Hey I was wondering if anyone knows what companies operate out of victoria, either float or out at the airport. I am a 4yr apprentice with experience on jetstreams, saabs, dash 7, and 8, beech 1900, and twin otters. I only need work for the summer months. I decided to go back to university last fall, and am just 5 five months shy of getting my license. I am not sure how employers are going to take the whole I only want a job for four months. I have great references and will work my ass off, so hopefully I can find something.

Thanks

[twotter]

Try Viking..

[Human Factor]

Viking Air, Vancouver Island Helicopters, Victoria Flying Club and Canada Coastal Aviation (operate a Lear Jet and a 185 on floats) are the only games in town. Viking is expanding fast but moreso in their production end... still, it never hurts to drop a resume off. At Viking, Ted Gerow (DOM) is the man to talk to for Repair & Overhaul.

[Riverat]

Viking might be right up my alley. I just spent a stint of time at field in calgary and got to know some of the dehavilland products quite well. Most of my time was spent on buffalos, -7, -8, and twin otters. What aircraft does viking mainly deal with? In the repair and overhaul area? I assume it is mostly the smaller dehavilland a/c. Any one know what wage would be like for a guy with my qualifications?

[Human Factor]

As a Level 1 apprentice, I'd guess you'd start in the $16-18/hr bracket. This is assuming they'd start you at a level 1... chances are 50-50 I'd say considering your experience. Everything is negotiable remember.

The main aircraft that goes through R&O is the Beaver, both piston and turbine. They have a long list of millionaire clients who use these planes for recreation that utilize Viking for repairs and annual inspections. There is usually a piston Beaver getting a PT-6 conversion in the hangar as well.

Besides the Beaver, you see single Otters (both piston and turbine) passing through as well as the occasional Twin Otter. They're also working on their own Turbo Otter conversion which may be certified by now so you're likely to see some conversion work on the -3. Last I heard, they were restoring a crashed TMA Tw'Otter and had 2 more lined up for work. They used to have a contract to do annual inspections on a trio of Cessna 404s.. not sure if that's still going. Anyway, it's a busy place and offers the best pay/benefits in the YYJ area. Of course, don't even think of owning a house in Victoria on an AME's salary unless you don't mind your home having a set of wheels under it.

[Bulawrench]

Yes, i am an old boy from Viking. I do miss the work and some of the people. I am not sure why the Brian idiot is still there. He is a recipe for disaster. Anyone concur?

[Human Factor]

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[SeptRepair]

Another place you may wanna try is Royal Pacific Maintenance and Victoria Air Maintenance. Considering the cost of living for the area, the wages are low. If you have a family then dont even consider trying to make a go of it. Someone else said the starting wages for Viking lev 1 is 16-18?? Thats a shocker, i guess the Union grew some balls and managed to get a half decent start rate in their last rounds of negotiations. I also heard rumors a lead hand supervising the structural department could fetch 32/hr. Any truth to this? VIH pay a good rate comparable to other shops performing the same type of work.
I have seen reference to a couple individuals here. I have worked with Brian in the past and yes he may be retentive in his approach to safety and ensuring quality control, but calling him an idiot behind an anonymous name I think is a little uncalled for.

[Bulawrench]

Where can i get a doll.You hit it right on the nose.

I can't believe people with such disorders are allowed to work on aircraft without at least being on Medication. Give me a break
Any one interested in an idiot Brian story. Pm me "I got a million of em"

Maybe a little uncalled for, he cost that company nothing but money. I telling it like it is.What is the screw up of this week?

[Riverat]

I left Field making 23/hr so taking 18 seems a little unacceptable. 20 is the lowest I would ever take, with my experience and my reputation. I may end up going back to field anyway. I have a girl friend going to school in vic, so if she can get in calgary, then hopefully field will need some temp help for the summer. I left on a good note, and had to earn that 23/hr so I am sure if they need help they will take me back.

[Human Factor]

Another place you may wanna try is Royal Pacific Maintenance and Victoria Air Maintenance. Considering the cost of living for the area, the wages are low. If you have a family then dont even consider trying to make a go of it. Someone else said the starting wages for Viking lev 1 is 16-18?? Thats a shocker, i guess the Union grew some balls and managed to get a half decent start rate in their last rounds of negotiations.

The newest collective agreement gave pretty good wage increases across the board. A level 1 Mechanic is now in the $30/hr range which, while still way behind the typical car mechanic, is pretty good for an AME in YYJ. RPM is a good starter company for a fresh apprentice but their wages are low compared to Viking or VIH. Vic Air Maintenance is touch and go from what I've heard... interesting work, OK wages but there used to be serious management and ego issues there... not sure if that's changed or not.

[Bulawrench]

Oh yeh,
I love the one about the ground tug jumping into gear and driving into a just finished airplane,
Ripping the ground power plug and structure. How does a standard jump into gear?
Or more recently putting some wings outside in a wind storm only to have them take flight.
Employment ending moves at the best of times.
Hey what a great slag-fest.

[Human Factor]

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[Bulawrench]

I think last weeks fiasco was leaving a twin outside without a control lock on.
The wind storm that was predicted ripped a couple of holes in the rudder and crushed the stops. I am sure the customer likes to have his rudder skins changed. More money down the drain.
Much the same as worst coast air had last week that smashed some gages. Is that a deferred defect or a flight permit to get it back to base.mmm
Oh wait, wrong slag-fest

[Human Factor]

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[SeptRepair]

Wow, ok i stand corrected. I must admit my work with him was limited, and that is going back about 10 yrs. Poor guy, sounds like he is almost ready for a job with Transport.

[Cat Driver]

Poor guy, sounds like he is almost ready for a job with Transport.

Maybe he is waiting until he gets hit on the head by a prop so he can go right straight to a management position at TC?

[Bulawrench]

It is a sad state that i agree with that statement about Transport.
The fools that are at Transport in Victoria now at least have Mitch from RPM. Who is a top notch AME. I am sure the brainwashing will take care of that.
The rest of them i wouldn't let fix my little red wagon. Clueless !

[Cat Driver]

I am sure the brainwashing will take care of that.

And to think of all those years when I really believed Mitch was better than that.

The brainwashing has nothing to do with it, to succeed at TC you must conform to the good old boys club rules.

[SeptRepair]

I was quite happy to find out Mitch threw in the towel and went for Transport. I worked with him for about 3 years and learned a lot about the regs and applying them properly. Great guy all around. I seen the daily struggle he had to endure trying to keep ones head above water running an AMO, and not once did he ever compromise safety or get brow beat by a customer into releasing an aircraft against his better judgment. Truly a man with morales. Definitely a guy who can honestly audit having endured all aspects of aviation. Transport got a good catch there and he truly is a rule to the exception when it comes to passing judgment about your "typical" transport inspector.

[Cat Driver]

Transport got a good catch there and he truly is a rule to the exception when it comes to passing judgment about your "typical" transport inspector.

No doubt Mitch can do a good job, but the system sure won't make it easy for him especially in the Pacific Region.

[SeptRepair]

Unfortunately you may be right, The odds are definitely stacked against him.

[Cat Driver]

As long as Nowzek is his boss he hasen't got the chance of a snow ball in hell of really making any positive changes...but I hope he tries.