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What is my future as a helicopter pilot?
Being a helicopter pilot is very challenging and rewarding. Below is a list of types of work you might find yourself involved with as a helicopter pilot.
- mining support
- geophysical survey
- law enforcement
- aerial construction
- air ambulance
- executive transport
- power line patrol
Do I require any previous flying experience?
No, you do not. In fact, the majority of pilots that have graduated from our program have had no previous flying experience when they began their training with us.
Is it hard to find work as a helicopter pilot?
Finding work as a new helicopter pilot can be challenging. You can easily be mislead by the fact that there is a shortage of helicopter pilots. Yes there is a shortage of experienced pilots. When you graduate from the program, you will have a total of 100 hours flying time. This is often referred to as a 'lowtime pilot'. Most companies are looking for pilots that have 500 hours or more. In the past 5 to 6 years, 85% of our students found work after graduation. In most cases, the work that they did get was not at the controls of a helicopter. Most helicopter companies that hire a lowtime pilot will have them working on the ground for the first 6 months. This gives a company the opportunity to evaluate the candidate on their work ethics, attitude and how responsible they are. In a lot of cases, while conducting ground work such as driving a truck or helping with maintenance tasks around the hangar, there will be opportunities to ferry a helicopter to another location or conduct a maintenance test flight and so on. The key thing to finding work is persistence and dedication. We pride ourselves with the hiring statistics of past students from our program.
Are there any additional costs other than the tuition?
Your Category 1 Medical fee will be paid directly to the doctor. The course tuition will cover your flying including the operational courses such as, Survival Course, Chain Saw, and First Aid etc. You will also be supplied with all ground school books and equipment. Canadore College has student fees that apply and are not included in the tuition, for example parking and locker fees and a couple of books for their programs that are not included in the tuition.
What is a Category 1 Medical?
You will need your Category 1 Medical Certificate completed by the beginning of the program. The exam is not rigorous. It begins with a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner filling out a Transport Canada application/medical history form. You must not have any debilitating illness. You will be required to have an ECG as well as an audiogram to complete the Category 1 Medical requirements. The validity period is 12 months if you are under 40 years of age and 6 months if you are over 40 years old. For a list of Civil Aviation Medical Examiners near you – please contact our office.
What is Ground School?
Ground School is all the material that is taught in class such as Meteorology, Rules of the Air, Navigation etc. Gateway Helicopters Ltd./Canadore College have an intense ground school syllabus that includes all of the topics required by Transport Canada and some extra courses that we feel are important.
Can I become a pilot if I wear glasses?
Yes you can. Your medical certificate will state that corrective lenses are to be worn when flying.
What is the refund policy for my training?
Gateway Helicopters Ltd./Canadore College have a system for refunding students should they decide to voluntarily or involuntarily withdraw from the program. We will refund all hours that have not been flown. However, books and hours that have been flown are non refundable. The $ 500.00 deposit is also non refundable. We also have a system in place should a student pilot's performance be following a poor trend, our instructors will have a meeting with the student to determine a possible solution. It is very rare that a student has to withdraw because of lack of skills. In the past, we have had students withdraw because of lack of attendance and poor work ethics.
What qualifications do the instructors of Gateway Helicopters Ltd. have?
All our instructors have vast operational experience and have all worked in the field in a wide variety of helicopter operations. Our Chief Flight Instructor is one of the most experienced Helicopter Flight Instructor in Canada. Lavern Ross has been instructing for twenty five years in both fixed wing and helicopters as well as being an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. He is very well respected in the industry and this has been instrumental in helping our graduates find employment.
How long will this training take?
The course length is 8 months and the program commences the day after Labour Day and finishes at the end of April each year.
How many students are accepted each year?
Our program has a maximum intake of 12 students per year. This is accomplished by conducting a selection process, which is based on a personal interview, Secondary School transcripts, and work experience.
When does the course start?
Classes begin the day after Labor Day. Please contact us for the exact date.
Where will I live during my training?
Most of the students find room and board for the duration of the course. North Bay is a University/College town and has many different types of accommodation available.
Will I be a Canadore College student?
Absolutely! You will have full access to all College amenities including library, computer room and activities. Upon graduation, you will receive a College Certificate along with your Commercial Helicopter Pilot License.
What types of helicopters does Gateway Helicopters Ltd. use for training?
Gateway Helicopters Ltd./Canadore College operates Schweizer 300 Piston Helicopters and Bell 206 Turbine Jet Rangers in our Flight Training School.
Does Gateway Helicopters Ltd. hire its own students?
Yes we do! In the past we have hired a number of our graduates. Being a Charter/Air taxi operator, as well as having a Spray Division, has given us the opportunity to hire from our own school.
Are there any tax incentives?
Canadian students are eligible to apply for 100% of their tuition fee against their personal Income Tax Claim. Depending on the individual student's financial situation, they could receive a substantial Income Tax refund. This can definitely help in reducing the cost of your training.
What other factors should I consider when choosing a helicopter flight training school?
Location
Flight Instructor Experience
Reputation
How many helicopters are available
Is there in-house maintenance
What are the facilities like? Classroom etc..
Possibility of employment
Does Gateway Helicopters Ltd. accept international students?
Yes we do. Please contact us for information regarding this topic.
What is the payment schedule like?
Once the deposit is received, the remainder of the tuition is paid in installments.
What do I need in order to apply?
In order to apply, you will require the following:
• Application Form
• A deposit of $ 500.00 made payable to Gateway Helicopters Ltd.
• Copy of Secondary or Post-Secondary School transcripts.
• Copy of Category 1 medical
• Copy of your Drivers Licence
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