First job in BC/Yukon
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2025 7:45 am
Hi folks,
Looking for a bit of career guidance. I’m trying to start my career as a bush/float pilot. I’ve got no interest in going to the airlines, but would eventually like to get involved with firefighting. I’m living in Ontario right now, in my second year of AME college. I’ve got a PPL with ~150tt and ~100pic, and am about to start training for my CPL. I’m planning on doing my float rating over the thanksgiving weekend. I’ve got a fair bit of tailwheel time (~70hrs), I own a Champ which I’m currently putting new fabric on, and hanging a new motor. I’ve also been volunteering as a mechanic/flight engineer at CWH, so I’ve got a bit of round engine experience. Also have plenty of small boat experience, and I hunt/fish and generally like spending time outdoors. If all goes to plan, I’ll have my CPL with ~200tt and a float rating completed when I graduate my AME program at the end of May.
From what I’ve learned, this is well into the start of the flying season for most bush outfits. At that time of year, is it likely that I still have a chance at finding a dockhand job? I’m hoping to move permanently out to BC/Yukon, and I’m curious if I’ve got a shot at getting hired by an outfit in BC/Yukon with my level of experience, especially given that almost all of my flying has been in Ontario. In the next few weeks, I’m planing on sending exploratory emails (or phone calls) to all the outfits in that region, and possibly doing a trip over the March break. Most of my mentors/friends around me are career airline guys, so I haven’t had a chance to talk to folks with recent information on how the bush industry is doing. My main question: Am I barking up the wrong tree here, or am I on the right path?
Any guidance is appreciated.
Thanks!
Looking for a bit of career guidance. I’m trying to start my career as a bush/float pilot. I’ve got no interest in going to the airlines, but would eventually like to get involved with firefighting. I’m living in Ontario right now, in my second year of AME college. I’ve got a PPL with ~150tt and ~100pic, and am about to start training for my CPL. I’m planning on doing my float rating over the thanksgiving weekend. I’ve got a fair bit of tailwheel time (~70hrs), I own a Champ which I’m currently putting new fabric on, and hanging a new motor. I’ve also been volunteering as a mechanic/flight engineer at CWH, so I’ve got a bit of round engine experience. Also have plenty of small boat experience, and I hunt/fish and generally like spending time outdoors. If all goes to plan, I’ll have my CPL with ~200tt and a float rating completed when I graduate my AME program at the end of May.
From what I’ve learned, this is well into the start of the flying season for most bush outfits. At that time of year, is it likely that I still have a chance at finding a dockhand job? I’m hoping to move permanently out to BC/Yukon, and I’m curious if I’ve got a shot at getting hired by an outfit in BC/Yukon with my level of experience, especially given that almost all of my flying has been in Ontario. In the next few weeks, I’m planing on sending exploratory emails (or phone calls) to all the outfits in that region, and possibly doing a trip over the March break. Most of my mentors/friends around me are career airline guys, so I haven’t had a chance to talk to folks with recent information on how the bush industry is doing. My main question: Am I barking up the wrong tree here, or am I on the right path?
Any guidance is appreciated.
Thanks!