Going to Yellowknife

[dave_091]

Hi guys,

I may be going to Yellowknife in the future for a posting. I have the Cpl and I am debating whether its worth going for the multi engine rating before I go up there. My goal is to find part time work while I would be up there for a few years. Do you think having a multi rating would increase my job prospects at all? I am leaning towards the "no" side because I would most likely have under 15 hours multi time.

Just remember, I am not up there to make a living, its for part time work. Fun stuff, away from my full time job.

[Johnny#5]

Tough to get a part-time flying job with 200 hrs....

I wouldn't bother with multi rating because you'll never be off the ramp anyway.

[angry inch]

Dave,
There are very few entry level flying jobs (if any) that you could get up there without a multi rating. On top of that, you'll need a valid IFR.

Good Luck

[B52]

You might end up offering to load and unload if you
get the opportunity of sitting Right Seat on flights
that don't require a co-pilot.

It's up to you however, if you can afford to get
your IFR as well as your multi you will have a better
chance of getting a flying job..

But it sounds like you have a real career from Aviation.

[Liquid Charlie]

its for part time work. Fun stuff, away from my full time job.

no such thing in YK unless you think loading airplanes part time is fun -- you could go for a part time ramp job at the airport for 7f or 5t just to eventually get travel benefits which is a plus for there ---

[dave_091]

Any Single engine part time work?

[arctic_slim]

Going to Yellowknife without a multi engine rating is pretty useless in my opinion if you're looking to fly for a job. Any entry level flying position up there is on a multi engine plane. Summit, Air Tindi, Adlair, Buffalo...they're all going to put you FO (after the tandard 1-2 years on the ramp) on a multi engine plane.

The only places I can think of where you can fly a single engine are Nor-Alta in High Level (C206 I believe), Whitehorse Air Services I think it's called up in Whitehorse has some seasonal 206/172 flying I think but from what I heard they like guys with some experience. Also North Wright in Norman Wells has some single engine pistons that some of their guys fly (again, some guys with some experience).

The only one I know of where guys got a flying job fresh out of school (i'm assuming you just finished your licences?) on a single engine as PIC is Nor-Alta.

As for part time work up there on ramp, there is lots of that, inluding SAS, First Air and Canadian North.

[Meatservo]

I'm not familiar with the specific situation, but in general "part time" flying jobs are kind of uncommon, especially if you're a low-time pilot. If they weren't, every "rampy" in town would already be volunteering to do it on his days off.

I don't think it matters much whether you get your multi-IFR before going up north or not. I rather doubt there are any companies looking for casual part-time co-pilots either.

I could be mistaken of course. Best of luck in your new "real" job in Yellowknife, at any rate. I hear it's not a bad place to live.

[dave_091]

Thanks for your input guys, much appreciated.

I would have liked to have heard different, but I guess I cant have my cake and eat it too.

If I am posted up there I will be there for a few years. At the very least, I should meet some great people up there and hopefully add a name or two into my contact book when I decide to take on flying full time.

[Illya Kuryakin]

Bottom line there Dave, is the cost of getting the ME rating would far exceed any income it would return to you, even if you found a part time job flying.
Enjoy the YK experience.
Illya