Looking for advice..

[TrickyPig]

I'm your fresh commercial pilot with 230hrs, 30hrs 180 on floats and a multi IFR soon to come.. Im trying to get a handle on what i need to do to get a job and where to go. I'd like to get in up in yellowknife but im not sure if its too late this year? can anyone offer some advice? Yellowknife is preferred but I really I just want a plane to fly!

[Rowdy]

If you wanna be in yellowknife.. GO there!! I'm betting tindi, Arctic sunwest, buffalo, summit etc will still be in need of some dockhands, ramp guys, dispatchers etc etc. Don't overthink it.. just do it!

[just curious]

They all had ads in the last week, get going.

[TrickyPig]

only problem is the unfinished multi ifr... would they take me without it? or is there somewhere to finish the training up in the north?

[ScudRunner]

Your still here I thought we told you to get moving already!!

depending on where and who you get on with the Multi IFR isn't a big deal. chances are you will start on a 206 or 172. If it seasonal work then you can finish that up in the fall with the 500 hours you bagged over the summer.

Do you have any sort of IFR or even just a multi??

For example I started in 2002 had the Multi IFR and all that but never used the IFR until 2007 "legally" , it was good to have that but I could have saved a bunch of $$$ and I had to renew it regardless.

However with this job market you might stand a shot as F/O somewhere off the bat, but you'll be missing out on the fun type of flying and in a few years just be bitter and envious of the guy that's in the right seat of a 727 who has only been flying IFR for a little more than a year. So much so you have to buy a British car because you only know how to operate the yoke with your right hand and shift gear with your left.

GET MOVING NORTH BOYY!!

[TrickyPig]

This is very true, the only real reason I wanted to get the multi IFR was for Air Tindi... but im defiantly not racing into the IFR scene... i want bush!

I only have 25 hours of the best sim in the world ATC-810! oh joy. I dont have either multi or IFR but could bang out the multi in a few weeks... depending on my line job. I suppose i should rent a 172 and head to yellowknife for a week tour or so, that would be an awesome flight. weather permitting.

And about the car i was born in England but i'll be a true canadian when i hit the tundra.

[TrickyPig]

Or is there any sense in email/fax/posting resumes? or just straight up road/air trip?

[Adam Oke]

Or is there any sense in email/fax/posting resumes? or just straight up road/air trip?

Every time building gig, and flying jobs I've got were initiated through e-mail first, then over the phone. Never met in person prior any of my start dates. Don't get my wrong though road trips/flight trips would deffinitly open more doors. I don't know if xsbank is still doing resumes, but I would highly recommend you have him comb through yours.

[TrickyPig]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will tap all resources possible!

On another tangent does anyone have a good idea of the cost of living up north.. my preliminary research revealed high cost and somewhere i couldn't move to without having a job setup first.. damn flying costs.

All the advice through this post much appreciated, thanks

[snoopy]

Yellowknife has(had?) a nice campground south of the airport that would be a good option for cheap accomodation until you have a good look see. You could even live there quite comfortably for the first couple of months if you had to.
http://www.yellowknifelodging.worldweb.com/Campgrounds/
http://www.explorenwt.com/Adventures/pa ... lParks.asp

Whether you drive or fly, make sure you have lots of $$ for gas!

Cheers,
snoopy

[Rudder Bug]

Hello TrickyPig,

There are lots of people looking for room mates in Yellowknife. Nothing is far and almost everything is within walking distance. You can expect to share a trailer for around $500/month, all inclusive.

Good luck!

[sprayrail]

You should try talking to the folks at Northwright in good old Norman Wells. They're usually looking for some help.
Like most places you'll start out doing the joe jobs but the guys that hustle will get the chance and they have a crew camp so accomodations shouldn't be that big an issue like it will in Yellowknife.

[KenoraPilot]

Hey,
If you wanna work a ramp thats good! I know a few operators in NWO that are willing to take guys with 25 hours on floats and let them fly a 185 all summer. I started my first job with 14 hours on floats and a 185 out of Kenora. KAS for sure is hiring guys fresh out of school and putting them on the 185. If you look around NWO im pretty sure you could find a few that will put you in a plane. Most spots arn't as nice as Kenora. Another company in Wawa I know is putting 25 hour guys in 180's. Jobs are out there if you wanna try and skip the ramp...I worked ramp for 2 years, flying is way better! lol.

[buster79]

kenora air sucks! didn't you work the dock there "dockboy dave"?

[KenoraPilot]

yes i did, but if you wanna fly a plane! Plus you can hopefully get Red Lake base or something! Plus i've heard the problem is sorting itself out....