Becoming a pilot

[NAzar07UA]

Hello, everyone.
I am currently finishing my grade 12 and I am seriously considering becoming a pilot. So, I have a couple of questions.

1) Does anyone know about the BCIT aerospace campus? Is it a good place to apply to?

2) What is the probability of becoming a commercial pilot and to get a job in Vancouver, BC?

-Thank you.

[ant_321]

I don't know anything about that school. Also, I don't mean to sound like an ass but if getting to work out of one particular place is concern for you, aviation certainly isn't the road to go down. With that being said it is a very rewarding career and for those with this disease for flying that so many of us have, it is the only option. With all that being said, surf around the forums a little and see other peoples comments, see if it is for you.

[MrWings]

Becoming a commercial pilot is the easy part. You pay your money for training and when you pass all the tests you are given the licence.

But finding a job is the hard part - especially when you have no experience. Why should they pick you over the hundreds of other fresh pilots in the same situation? Usually, those that will hire you at this stage will do so because of one or more of the following reasons:

1. You are willing to live in their remote northern community
2. You are willing to work long hours
3. You are willing to perform other work not related to flying
4. You will work for low pay
5. You have a connection with the company

[flyinggreasemonkey]

Don't waste your time and money.
If you love flying, don't do it for a living. Get a real job that pays much better and has a fraction of the bullshit and keep flying as a hobby.

[Doc]

One requirement for a Commercial Pilot Licence, many seem to overlook, is the severe head injury as a child. If you have not been dropped on your head by your mother, or have not suffered any form of serious head trauma, you just will not fit in.

[Changes in Latitudes]

The self-loathing part is optional, also the presence of a spine is at your discretion but recommended.

[flyinggreasemonkey]

Nope...Backbone and testicles must be checked at the door. No one wants someone who can think for them self and have an opinion. We're supposed to be robots to be paid the minimum possible for as long as possible.

[Changes in Latitudes]

Maybe we should organize an uprising? I've got a few Egyptian and Libyan friends that can help. Check twitter for updates and gather your wives.

[fish4life]

check the employment section of this forum lots of info in there

[Chaxterium]

Hello,

Unfortunately a lot of what the previous posters have said is true but having said that if it's something that you really have a desire for then I say go for it. I went for it and it was (and still is) a tough road but I love my job and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Best of luck with whatever you choose,

Chax

[cptn2016]

I can't answer your questions, but take it from a 27 year old who has made the decision to switch careers to aviation - I wish that at 18 I had discovered my love of flying and dove in head first then. As it stands now, I'm 10 years behind everyone else. If it's something you love, go for it.

As far as the aforementioned shit you inevitably will have to deal with starting out, that may be true, and it may be the ugly side of the business, but think of it this way: it's true for any career when you're starting out, maybe not to the extent that it is in aviation...but you make it through that, and you end up with arguably the greatest job in the world, and you will be able to support yourself and your family with it one day. You can't really beat that...

And if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out, but you don't want to be somewhere down the road wondering what if...

[Doc]

One must beware the danger of doing something something you love as a JOB. The shine can come off the pumpkin real fast.
I love sailing, but I wouldn't touch it as a job with a stick. You will no longer go flying because you want to, but because you have to. Think about it.

[cptn2016]

I can see your point but right now I'm doing something else because I have to, not because I want to.

Of course there will be flying jobs that will not be enjoyable, and there will be days I hate it, but that happens now too in my non-flying job.
But there will be days when it's absolutely perfect, and I don't have those days in my current job. It's just a job to me.

[SunWuKong]

I am currently finishing my grade 12

You have 17 years old?
It means you will retire in 50 years. Around 2060. The energy in the world will be completely different by then, as it is changing right now. Most official administrations around the world forecast a fuel shortage around 2030/2040. That's almost 30 years before you retire.
Fuel already increased by 300% within 1 year and we are today into a new fuel crisis already ($110). Anybody well informed wouldn't get into this industry from now on.

Study law, medecine, or finance.

5 years from now, when you will start to work (or start looking for work) as a pilot in an aviation industry in crisis that will only get worse and worse with fuel price instability, at that time then, don't say nobody told you.
Don't be fooled by the few job you can see available today. In a normal configuration with no fuel crisis pending, it will still be too late, very few understand they should start their training when everything is going down (end of an hiring cycle like in 2002 or 2008). When it starts to hire again, you already missed the train, better do something else. But with the world fuel reserve peaking, I would say the train won't come back.

Unless you get free training, do something else and fly for fun.

[DHCdriver]

After 24 years in the clouds smashing bugs, I truly will have to say, I wouldn't do anything else. Surely I have had my good days and even more bad days but at the end of the day, I'm glad I chose this profession and hopefully I got 24 more left in me. Cheers.

[floatpilot]

+1 dhc. Nothing quite like a fresh bug streakin up the windshield!

[SunWuKong]

I don't think this is topic related, the question was not: do you like your job?

Do you like smoke, beer, sugar? Sure. Is that healthy? Defenitely not. Should we be aware of that? Yes.

Do you like flying? Sure. Is that a good career choice for a 17 years old kid? Definitely not. Should he be aware of that? Yes.


Study finance, medecine, law, and buy a glider if you really love flying. There is no more glory to fly an airbus/boeing than flying a glider, and I know what I am talking about.
If a company really needs you, they will find you and pay for your training. If they don't, that's because they don't need you.

2) What is the probability of becoming a commercial pilot and to get a job in Vancouver, BC?

For a new CPL, extremely little, and when it happens, at close to poverty wages. During the fuel crisis (the one starting now): even worse.

[Shiny Side Up]

One must beware the danger of doing something something you love as a JOB. The shine can come off the pumpkin real fast.
I love sailing, but I wouldn't touch it as a job with a stick. You will no longer go flying because you want to, but because you have to. Think about it.

While the shine may come off real fast, it certainly still beats the hell out of doing a job you hate. The worst days of my flying job have beat the hell out of the best days of some other jobs I've had. A lot of pilots I know have never really had any work besides aviation, yet complain a lot about what they do thinking that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

Bottom line, do some research - besides this website - on what becoming a working pilot is really going to be about, then make a decision if you still are up for it. One thing to remember here is you're talking to a bunch of guys who don't want more competition for jobs they think they're entitled to. Think about what you like about flying for a job, think about what you just enjoy about flying, then think about what is going to be the best way to achieve that.

[DHCdriver]

Another thing to add to this post. You learn everyday in this profession, and the day you think you know it all, you better call it quites. Think about that in your descision on becoming a pilot. Hopefully your not a know it all, and you will do just fine. Cheers.

[SunWuKong]

What have you learnt today?

[justwork]

1) Does anyone know about the BCIT aerospace campus? Is it a good place to apply to?

2) What is the probability of becoming a commercial pilot and to get a job in Vancouver, BC?

-Thank you.

1. Yes it's a good place. I think the course is only 18 months
2. Pretty good. There are a few navajo operators that you should be able to start with, then lots of opportunities locally on light turbo props. Then WJ or AC and commute. It'll be awhile before you ever are able to own anything you live in though, unless you move out to the valley - but then you might as well just move to Calgary or Toronto.

[modi13]

2) What is the probability of becoming a commercial pilot and to get a job in Vancouver, BC?

-Thank you.

Pretty good. There are a few navajo operators that you should be able to start with, then lots of opportunities locally on light turbo props. Then WJ or AC and commute. It'll be awhile before you ever are able to own anything you live in though, unless you move out to the valley - but then you might as well just move to Calgary or Toronto.[/quote]
Ummmm....Nooooo.
There is now one Navajo operator, since Orca bought out CAC, and they only hire a handful of low-timers a year. West Coast Air no longer exists, and therefore doesn't upgrade dockhands to FO positions. Pacific Coastal doesn't hire off the ramp, nor, I believe, does Northern Thunderbird. The only option besides Orca is spending two years on the ramp for Central Mountain Air. Vancouver is chock-full of 200 hour wonders who refuse to leave home to find jobs and therefore never do; an exorbitant number do their instructor ratings as a last, desperate hope, but because there are so many more of them than openings at flight schools they don't have any better chances of finding employment. Not to mention that they make about $8/hour less than their compatriots in Ontario and elsewhere because the extra competition makes them more willing to take less money. Get out of Vancouver if you ever want to fly.

[Aviatrixie]

As far as I am concerned......Selkirk College by far should be the choice. Do your research.....

[justwork]

Ummmm....Nooooo.
There is now one Navajo operator, since Orca bought out CAC, and they only hire a handful of low-timers a year. West Coast Air no longer exists, and therefore doesn't upgrade dockhands to FO positions. Pacific Coastal doesn't hire off the ramp, nor, I believe, does Northern Thunderbird. The only option besides Orca is spending two years on the ramp for Central Mountain Air. Vancouver is chock-full of 200 hour wonders who refuse to leave home to find jobs and therefore never do; an exorbitant number do their instructor ratings as a last, desperate hope, but because there are so many more of them than openings at flight schools they don't have any better chances of finding employment. Not to mention that they make about $8/hour less than their compatriots in Ontario and elsewhere because the extra competition makes them more willing to take less money. Get out of Vancouver if you ever want to fly.

Maybe you're right but I'm not even from Vancouver, and I found work there. I know of a bunch of 200 hour wonders that got their start flying in and around Vancouver. Flying a navajo around on the west coast is challenging flying, all winter long you're dealing with ice and low ceilings and visibility. I've also seen a lot of guys get 1-2000 hours on a navajo and then move on the Pacific Coastal or NT, as long as AC and WJ are hiring so are these places.

The original poster wanted to know what the probability of getting a job in Vancouver after he is licensed... I say it's pretty decent, but not a gimme.

[DaveC]

I am currently finishing my grade 12

You have 17 years old?
It means you will retire in 50 years. Around 2060. The energy in the world will be completely different by then, as it is changing right now. Most official administrations around the world forecast a fuel shortage around 2030/2040. That's almost 30 years before you retire.
Fuel already increased by 300% within 1 year and we are today into a new fuel crisis already ($110). Anybody well informed wouldn't get into this industry from now on.

Study law, medecine, or finance.

5 years from now, when you will start to work (or start looking for work) as a pilot in an aviation industry in crisis that will only get worse and worse with fuel price instability, at that time then, don't say nobody told you.
Don't be fooled by the few job you can see available today. In a normal configuration with no fuel crisis pending, it will still be too late, very few understand they should start their training when everything is going down (end of an hiring cycle like in 2002 or 2008). When it starts to hire again, you already missed the train, better do something else. But with the world fuel reserve peaking, I would say the train won't come back.

Unless you get free training, do something else and fly for fun.

I have to disagree with you. My judgement is a bit biased since I have a degree in Information Technology. I want to fly commercially at the end of the day - and I won't forfeit that because of a prediction of fuel shortages. With that logic, you can assume AVGAS will be non existent in the 5-10 years that have been predicted (?) which would cause flight training to cost much more (also knocking out some of the smaller airlines that still use AVGAS AC); thus making you a in demand professional.

I don't think global transit wont stop because of a fuel shortage - they'll find a new fuel that will do, or continue to improve efficiency. Heck, look at the new EV's that are being mass produced. I recall reading an article about a fully electric Cessna they are making now.