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Coast Helicopter College
1541B Kittyhawk Road
Sidney, BC
V8L 5V6

Tel: (250) 655-0416
Tel: 1-800-409-9270
Fax: (250) 655-6210
Cell: (250) 888-0171
fly@coasthelicoptercollege.com


More Information
  • Scenic Flights
  • Introductory Flights
  • Training Guide
  • Career Guide
  • Courses & Costs
  • Important Notes


    Training Available
  • Commercial Helicopter
  • Private Helicopter
  • JetRanger 206B Rating
  • Recurrent Training
  • ATPL Helicopter


    Useful Links
  • Vancouver Island Helicopters
  • Transport Canada
  • Victoria Airport
  • Victoria Flying Club
  • Juan Air



  • Helicopter Career Guide
    Commercial helicopter operators are continually demanding higher and higher levels of pilot experience. This has the effect of leaving the newly-qualified commercial pilot often well short of the number of hours required to gain employement at most commercial helicopter operators.

    You must be prepared to begin your flying career not as a pilot, but as someone who helps with the helicopter operation by working with maintenance staff, assisting other pilots with their job by being part of a ground crew, working in the hangar or maybe just sweeping the floor! Personally visit as many helicopter operators as you can before you train to determine the type of work they do, and to get an idea of employment prospects upon course completion.

    Employment as a pilot in the helicopter operating industry usually means working in remote areas, sometimes for extended periods of time. Expect at least two or three years of this type of flying before other opportunities may come your way. Again, check into the realities with prospective employers.

    When a new pilot has successfully gained employment they will most likely receive relatively low pay. Normally you will not make as much as it cost you for your training in the first year. Earnings go up after that.

    On a brighter note; Flying a helicopter is a very satisfying experience and can be a very rewarding career. You will enjoy participating in many varied and interesting experiences unique to vertical flight.


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