Good day everyone!

My question is a little complex but never the less...
Recently I've granted EASA PPL in Latvia. Now I want to advance to CPL and get a job as a pilot. And here goes the most tricky part - I don't have a Canadian citizenship, but my father does and he may act as my financial guarantee for educational loan (if it's possible).
Since the market of air thansportation in Northern America is much wider then in Europe, for my professional career development it's a good idea to try myself in Canada.
Since I'm not familiar with the way of educational process is set up here I want your advice. Are there any educational programmes for foreign students with further employment, what it should take me to get into it?
Maybe airline companies present such opportunities. For instance I sign a contract with an airline company which terms force me to work as a pilot for couple of years for them for reduced salary, or implies any other special conditions in order to reimburse my education.

Thanks everyone!!!

nikko444 wrote:Good day everyone!
... - I don't have a Canadian citizenship, but my father does and he may act as my financial guarantee for educational loan (if it's possible).
...........

market of air thansportation in Northern America is much wider then in Europe, for my professional career development it's a good idea to try myself in Canada.
.........

For instance I sign a contract with an airline company which terms force me to work as a pilot for couple of years for them for reduced salary, or implies any other special conditions in order to reimburse my education.

Sounds like it's possible your Canadian citizenship ( previously easier )application process got caught in the 2009 Canadian citizenship rules tightening-your Dads a Canadian.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/rules_2009.asp
The valid reason for tightening up Canadian citizenship laws-they were too lax, ships full of great grandmaws who never set foot in ,or paid taxes in Canada was legally Canadian ( e.g Lebanese war ).

You should apply to become an American citizen,
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
and a Canadian citizen at the same time, and see who wins.

It's easier to become an American, sometimes faster, but more expensive application fees .

Since each Countries laws are silent on dual citizenship, you could end up Canadian, American or both.

If you end up American...think hard before you get a U.S passport if your Canadian application is in the end stages-the U.S passport will trigger the IRS to follow you until your deathbed, no matter where you go on the planet.

Canada Revenue service will let you off the hook 25 months after you leave Canada (you need administrative proof , i.e. convince a bureaucrat ,that you're leaving permanently ).

None of this answers your questions-maybe one of the Aviation colleges (names all over the training forum )has a program for foreign students-email them.

Your offer to fly for reduced rates (to pay back education ) will justifyably rile the professional pilots you're under-cutting.

I don't know of any short cut-get yourself legally working ,

http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2013/0 ... gn-workers

save your money, and get your cpl at a small flight training school on the prairies where the unemployment rate is low, wages are high, and there are more visual flight rule days.
Best of luck.

Thank you for detailed information on legal aspect of citizenship and on flight training.
I'll do the research among small American schools, in the end all I really nead is flight hours. So more VMC days more hours, unless I obtain IMC rating. Concerning theory part, I can self study, as I've already did on PPL level. Then have a brush up prior theoretical exams and that's it.

You may also want to look into a student visa to get the ball rolling...

Once you are in and licensed there is/was a program (no clue what it was called) where if you then found a job in what you went to school for you would get a guaranteed work visa...

That being said finances need to be in order before your going to get the student visa soo...... ya, chicken/egg thing...


Also with respect to financing even if you were a Canadian citizen you cant get a whole lot of cash from the feds for flying. A LOT Of barriers have gone up in that arena also government student loans are a *&#$(&#($&@($@($#($#@ don't touch them if you don't have to...
Better bet IF YOU HAVE A COSIGNER (and make sure they know your future job prospects) would be to get a line of credit at a commercial bank.. RBC/TD etc... much more flexible etc... IF you can get a NON STUDENT line of credit you will actually get a far better interest rate.

If your going to have to include living expenses and a Multi IFR, my guess is your in for ~$20,000-$40,000+


Other items to consider:
-As mentioned above a small well run school (do they still exist?) which has commercial operations attached to it (702/703 etc.) WORK YOUR ASS OFF FROM DAY ONE... Stay around late, help clean, fuel, mop, vacuum, dust, help the mechanic fix the flat which bounced your booking etc... If someone is having a problem with something help them... Become friends with everyone you meet, have coffee with people, get to know the owners, the CFI, etc... Imagine the whole time you are there doing your CPL you are actually in a year long job interview. If you play your cards right you may be able to get your first gig right there, or at the very least will make contacts which will help you in the future.

-It IS possible to buy your own machine and get a freelance guy to teach you on it (and flip it when you are done.) IF done properly and if you get lucky it can save you cash, let you meet more people, let you go on longer trips etc... However it also increases a number or risks which I wont get into... But this is an option you should know exists.

-Mechanical ability is a dying skill set with youngns these days... Knowing how to light a propane fridge, and being able to clean the plugs on the outboard are VERY desirable skills.