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
|
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I train at CHC?
CHC is not the only training school around. Unlike many other schools we train in conjunction with a large and well established helicopter operator with a good reputation in the industry. By training with an operator that hires some of it’s own students, you increase your chances of employment.
Are all applicants accepted?
No. We maintain a high standard in training and we accept a limited number of applicants, usually 6 to 8 per year. We do not actively solicit students or sell training. We operate a training school mainly to supply VIH with a choice of newly trained pilots. Remember though that we cannot make guarantees that you will be hired. Only a small percentage of those that train here are actually hired by the company.
Why does CHC use the R-22 and the Bell 206?
Legally you can train on any helicopter type that is certified. We recommend that you do your basic training on the R-22. It is economical compared to doing all of your training on the Bell 206 or another light turbine. The R-22 is a safe, reliable helicopter and it is the most common piston machine around. It and its bigger brother, the R-44 are used more and more by operators in commercial operations. Its’ weight and power limitations makes transitioning to larger helicopter relatively easy.
The Bell 206 is the most common light turbine and the type on which a pilot will most likely begin his career. This makes it the logical choice to complete your course on.
Does the course include slinging, long lining or mountain training?
The commercial course includes 3 to 4 hours of slinging and an introduction to long lining. None of the courses include any mountain training. Both long lining and mountain flying are skills that are beyond the scope of basic pilot training. These skills are best learned after obtaining a licence and gaining additional experience.
Does CHC provide financing?
No. Some assistance may be available from government programs depending on your personal circumstances.
Is it easy to find work, once my course is complete?
No. For some, employment will come easy. Generally, persistence is required to find your first job as an inexperienced helicopter pilot. Once you have a few years and over 1000 hours of experience, employment opportunities become more plentiful.
When does the course start and finish?
The courses are conducted as a class and usually begin September 1st and February 1st. Students can plan to finish their course in 4 months.
What kind of accommodation is available locally and how much does it cost?
CHC is located at the Victoria International Airport near the town of Sidney. There is plenty of accommodation available within 10 kilometres. You can expect to pay about $500 to $600 a month for a one bedroom.
Can I work in another country using my Canadian licence?
That depends on circumstances such as what company you are working for and what country you are working in. The government of the country can best answer this question.
Will I need additional training to fly different and especially larger helicopter types?
You will require an endorsement for each and every type of helicopter that you wish to fly. As a commercial pilot, your progression to additional types will only come with time and experience. In other words, it is not realistic to expect to fly many different types and especially larger ones until you have gained some experience after you are licensed. Some larger helicopters require an Airline Transport Pilot Licence. This requires at least 1000 hours of flying time.
|
|
