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Canadore College Helo Training....


Canrotor

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Hello All,

 

Is anyone on this site currently going through the commercial helicopter flight training program at Canadore college in North Bay..?? Has anyone been through in the last 2-3 years..??

It seems that the fixed wing colleges(seneca,confederation etc)are always being mentioned but i can't remember ever hearing from anyone going through the Canadore helo training.I read the training is now done 50 hrs 300cb then 50 hrs jetranger and the cost is approx $ 60,000.

 

Comments,hints or tips for prospective students....??? :D

 

 

Thanks,

Canrotor.

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I have several friends that went through the program. the last one graduated two years back.

 

all said it was an excelent program, gov. funding helped with that decisio and that it was staffed with experienced staff. however it was a killer first year with lots of unneccessary courses.

 

all of them are now employed and loving it, so if you can afford the time then go for it.

 

Cheers

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I went through about 8 years ago and it was great! I didn't find any of the courses unneccessary courses and there is nolonger government funding. I think that was put to an end in the early 90's and the current cost for this year is 70,000 and they include quite a few extras like a flight helmet, flight suit, survival training, ect......

 

If you need info call them Lavern will give you what you need.

 

cheers

 

MG

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Hi,

 

I am currently enrolled at Canadore. I have had 5 years in the fixed wing world up to a commercial, multi-ifr, instructor leve and the dream/plan was always to come and fly on the rotary side.

 

I visited 4-5 schools since 2002 and was prepared to go to BC Helicopters out west when I heard about Canadore - they do so little advertising it's easy to miss, what is arguably the best program in the country. They take twice the time as other schools, but give you much much more than a license, I feel that by the end of this course I will be trained to an operational level, meaning at most I might need a PPC ride before an employer will/could hire me. This is a MAJOR leg up when it comes to beating all the other 100 hour wonder pilots to find that first job.

 

We just completed the Bell 206 Airframe and Allison Engine 250-C20 series courses that the maintenance engineers normally do for their type ratings (minus the hands on). These courses have taught us more than I ever thought I would/could know about the 206, with our instructors being a retired pilot/engineer (air-frame), and the CEO of Essential Turbines which is an overhaul shop in Montreal. Being able to talk the same language as the folks maintaining your ships can only be a good thing in my books.

 

The first aid, dangerous goods, chainsaw operator and winter survival classes are a big bonus too. The college component requires you to do an english course and personal finance course but these are aimed at those just out of highschool who have had no post-secondary education. I was able to be exempted from these with little effort.

 

The Canadore program is partnered with Gateway Helicopters who do the vast majority of the training. It feels like they are training us up to the standard and readiness level of a line pilot so that come the end of the program they could pick any student and get them flying for Gateway that summer with little additional training or extra non-flying training needed.

 

The mix of 50/50 Bh206 and Schweizer 300 time seems good so far, and I was very happy to solo in the Jet Ranger and be logging turbine PIC time :)

 

The ground school component goes way beyond what I have seen in any of my fixed wing training, and even though I have been instructing seized wing for 2 years, I am still managing to learn new things. I was worried I would be bored to tears in some of the classroom material, but except for the first week or so this hasn't been the case at all.

 

Lavern and Andy effectively run the day to day operations of the school, and I have really enjoyed flying and learning from both of them. They push you hard, but in the end, it's for your own good. Elaine can answer any of your administrative/registration/general type questions. I strongly recommend coming up for a tour to see what it is all about at some point.

 

The helmet and Nomex flight suits are a nice touch too. Things you will use as you start your career.

 

One word of caution, when you solo.. watch out for your classmates as they will be keen to get you very wet and cold.

 

Ok, I'm off to bed - I've got a solo flight first thing tomorrow morning.

 

Hope I answered your questions, please post back or pm me and let me know what you think.

 

http://gatewayhelicopters.com/flighttraining.asp

 

Owen

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I feel that by the end of this course I will be trained to an operational level, meaning at most I might need a PPC ride before an employer will/could hire me. This is a MAJOR leg up when it comes to beating all the other 100 hour wonder pilots to find that first job.

Good on ya mate but you have to keep in mind that you are at the same position as most other 100 hour guys out there. When I finished the course I had this idea the I would be flying right out of school because "I got some of the best flight training they have to offer out there"

 

If I had to redo my training I would still go so Gateway/Canadore because I feel that the training was great for what I do now but there are other schools out there that are better for other divisions of this industry. My advice as a fellow graduate;

 

-Be humble and hard working and know that you have alot to learn before you can get behind a 200,000 to 1,000,000 dollar a/c with passengers.

 

Cheers

 

MG

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Good on ya mate but you have to keep in mind that you are at the same position as most other 100 hour guys out there. When I finished the course I had this idea the I would be flying right out of school because "I got some of the best flight training they have to offer out there"

 

Sorry, my intention wasn't to sound presumptuous or cocky, I fully expect to be putting my time in somewhere doing everything but flying as I learn more about the various aspects of this business and give the employer a chance to learn to trust me too.

 

Owen

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