Volunteer flying in BC

[CharlieMaso]

I have a full time job (ATC) and a bare minimum CPL. Unlike most dual licensed ATC/Pilots I was ATC first and have obtained my CPL over the years without the intent of being a commercial pilot, as such I have a low number of hours (300 which makes me good for nothing). Just going out and boring holes in the sky lost its charm for me several years ago. I now use the plane pretty much only for trips and as an efficient means of transport.

I'd like to do some more flying in my spare time. Flying with a "mission" or a reason I still find interesting and I would like, but don't expect to be able to get part time work as a VFR single engine pilot. I love aviation, have worked in aviation all my life and have a wide breadth of experience in several areas. Tried the local DZ and something might come up, but im not holding my breath. Tried fire-spotting last summer, didn't even get a response to 2 phone calls and one letter. I've tried to play the angle that although I can only work part time (2-3 days a week) I can offer stability because im not going to run away the first time someone else offers me a twin job. Problem is I can't compete with a 250 hour unemployed guy who is willing to sit and answer the phone or . bags 6 days a week in the hope of getting a couple of hours of flying here and there. Glad i'm ATC and not a pilot struggling to get that first job. As such i'm considering volunteer flying and would like ideas. I have done the following:

1. Signup up with Hope-air. Am in the processing stage now.
2. Tried to sign up with Angel flight - didn't even get a response.
3. Am trying to do cadet tow-plane flying.

Any other idea's of volunteer pilots? I had offers in the past to teach ground school and will probably do that this year just for the enjoyment of doing something I love.

[C-FABH]

Uh-oh... the V word....

I guess you could always buy a PPC?

[AeroDiaz]

I don't know if you are looking for this kind of "volunteering". But here you have my dos centavos (two cents)

MAF - http://www.mafc.org

Wings of Faith - Church of the Nazarene. Sorry, I don't have a link for this one



I really respect this guys for the kind of flying they do.

Good luck !

[ZBBYLW]

3. Am trying to do cadet tow-plane flying.

Well I did the Cadet tow-plane flying, and wow was that alot of fun! I really enjoyed it. The only problem is you would have to head over to YQQ for your initial training which can take up to two weeks, after that you can fly on weekends. Where are you located? If you are in the lower mainland you should have plenty of opertunity if you can head on over to YQQ for a little while to get trained.

[SkyWolfe]

check pm's....

[CharlieMaso]

Thanks for the responses so far. To clarify for the nay-sayers I will not work for free in a paid position. I am mindful of the fact I earn a great wage doing ATC and to work for free on a paid flying job is just wrong as it drags the industry down. When I asked at the DZ and Fire-spotting I did so with the expectation of being paid. The volunteer positions are exactly that - positions where no-one is paid, and in fact I will be paying a portion of the flying costs on some of them (hope air, angel flight etc). I don't think anyone would object to me doing that.

[Prairie Chicken]

I don't know, but assume there is a BC wing of CASARA. Once you get thru their program, you should be able to rent an a/c and be at least partially reimbursed for the cost. Not a paying proposition, but it could deflect the costs while getting some flying for a worthy cause.

[RG3]

Wow- sounds really tough to get that first pilot job. Just out of curiosity; how much does it cost a pilot to go up per hour when he/she is trying to get their hours?

[CharlieMaso]

Thanks again for the suggestions. I will add CASARA to the list. Does anyone know what happened to the BC wing of Angel Flight - I have tried without sucess to contact them several times now?

[Coast-dog]

Wow- sounds really tough to get that first pilot job. Just out of curiosity; how much does it cost a pilot to go up per hour when he/she is trying to get their hours?

Um, don't get confused here bud. This thread has absolutely nothing to do with getting 'that first pilot job.

[sluggo]

.

[CharlieMaso]

And why would that be Slug?

[Chaero]

This thread is a bit old but hopefully there are still pilots in BC and across the country looking for volunteer opportunities with their aircraft and skills.

Hope Air and Angel Flight certainly offers very worthwhile and satisfying reasons for flying. But if you've tried and they won't accept you (low hours, homebuilt aircraft perhaps?) or if you just want to try something different, please consider volunteering to fly rescue animals.

Pilots n Paws Canada launched this spring and is based on the very successful Pilots n Paws which started in the US in 2008 and now has a membership of more than 10,000 including close to 3000 pilots.

PnPC aims to be a national organization. We have about a dozen pilot volunteers so far, almost equally split between BC and Ontario and we are actively looking to sign up pilots from all corners of Canada.

Flights can be tax-deductible but the main benefit of volunteer flying for PnPC is the satisfaction you'll get from contributing to a very worthwhile cause.

Please check us out at http://www.pilotsnpawscanada.com/

[Rookie50]

My understanding is hope air requires 500 hrs

[Moose47]

"I don't know, but assume there is a BC wing of CASARA. Once you get thru their program, "

You will start out training as a spotter then carry on with further training to become a navigator before you can train to be a pilot.

Cheers...Chris

[azimuthaviation]

I think there's no casara in bc, its called pepair or something but it has the same function and structure, spotter, nav, pilot etc. Each region has a zone but they require registered aircraft with 4 seats if you want to use your own plane. No homebuilts or owner maintained.

[Moose47]

G'day

You are right Az.

Extracted from their website:

"As a BC-wide volunteer aviation organization, PEP Air is also dedicated to the provision of air search support services to the National Search and Rescue Program. The organization is a member of the Civil Air Search and Rescue (CASARA) and works closely with 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron with the Canadian Forces located at 19 Wing, Comox, BC. PEP Air provides training and also assists the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canadian Military and its' divisions, ground search crews and local municipal forces in searching for aircraft, boaters, hikers and others who may be lost or injured.

Membership in PEP Air is open to aircraft owners and pilots, as well as to those who wish to receive training as spotters and navigators. Safety plays a major role in all aspects of the organization’s activities."

Cheers...Chris

[Jack In The Box]

I'm surprised no one has ripped this thread for the "fly for free concept." way to be nice people!

To the OP, try MAF as said in an earlier post.