Cole

To quote a very high time pilot I happen to be sitting beside as I type- "It's up to the PIC to make their time 'worth' anything. Some people can fly the same camp in Northern Alberta for years and not learn a single thing past the first week, and others can fly 100 hours of tours in the rockies and learn something every single flight. To say one type of experience or the other is worthless is totally ignorant." As far as I'm concerned some of my friends, including pilots now rated on vertols, mediums, and full time seismic astar pilots, have spent 7 or 8 years getting flying the traditional way for very low wages chasing carrots that may never have amounted to anything, often jumping company to company looking for a start. One fact exists about icefield, if you pay your dues there, both financially and otherwise, it seems very clear flying is imminent. That's most definitely not true of all companies. Cheers, Happy Flying in 2011 Cole

I'd tend to go with the school that suits you the best... almost every school out there is going to play the "High Time Instructor" card, the "In the Mountains" card, the "Best Machine" card, or the ever so famous "Best Bang For Your Buck" card, but if you don't get along with your instructor(s), for whatever reason, you're not going to get the best results. PS, while I know several of the instructors at Canadian here in Penticton, and all of them are great guys with even better reputations as pilots, that's a heck of a lot of money to shell out for a commercial ticket. Granted after you make the payments on the machine for the next ten years they'll likely set you up with a job after... $130+K for a $40K per year job (if that) isn't your best investment. Most, but not all, of the companies I've spoken with regarding employment attribute their hiring to work ethic, teamwork ability, passion for the job, and salesmenship over endorsements or school choice. Good Luck! Cole

Rest In Peace SDC, we miss you bud. Cole

Anyone have any more info?

You don't say, Dick! I have a -60 rated work jacket from Mark's... it worked well this winter down to -40. I remember seeing a great thread on winter gear not long ago as well but I can't seem to find it. Cheers. Cole

Way to go Darren!

Watch out for the Ether Bunny Congratulations sling, Hope all goes well!

Very well done Darren! Good luck on the job hunt, it's thin but it's still there. Cheers, Cole

Haha, well I've meant to update you guys a few times but truth be told things change so quickly I don't know what to report. I'm currently sitting in a hotel in Edmonton, but in the last week I've been in Campbell River, Vancouver, Valemount, Athabasca, and home on time off in Westbank. It's been a pretty fun road trip so far and should end tomorrow afternoon back in FSJ. It's hard to believe I've been out of school for almost a year now, certainly doesn't feel very long. What are you guys all up to?

This one*

I remember seeing a pretty impressive video a couple years ago of an aircrane in LTE... talk about pucker factor.

I saw that you made a new post and was excited to read it, but before I got to it that Matt guy sent me a message and gave away the ending! Congratulations Darren! Whats next on the list?

AH1, I didn't think anything would top your first story... untill I read the second one! Keep em coming guys! Cole.

All the best to your friend, hope all is well. Sounds like you're having a blast! Cheers, Cole

Glad to hear another week (or more) went well, but you've got to admit that you had us waiting quite a while. Just stay calm and fly the way you were taught and you'll be alright! Best of luck on the ride Darren and keep us posted! Cole