First name:Pierrick
Age:23
Hometown:Brittany (France)
Training: CPL
Helicopters: R22, R44
Start of training: January 2019
Hi, my name is Pierrick. I’m 23 years old and I grew up in Brittany. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been collecting model fighter jets, so naturally, my dream was to become a military pilot.
So I began the EOPAN selection process (a pilot program in the French Navy), which consisted of several phases of testing. Despite my strong performance, a medical error was made during my final medical examination, and I was deemed unfit for service. A dream had just been shattered.
Since the process of obtaining a second opinion was far too cumbersome, I turned to Hélicraft to satisfy my desire to fly.
So I got in touch with Benjamin, who gave me excellent guidance on the visa process, the course schedule, and even just what life in Montreal was like. Because even though I hadn’t lived with my parents for several years, moving abroad is still a big change.
I arrived at Helicraft six months later, in the middle of winter, but I’m settling in just fine. The whole team is very welcoming and approachable—you quickly feel right at home! As for me, the training went well; we alternate between classroom instruction and flights, which makes the training less boring and more relevant. The written exam is fairly straightforward, but there’s still a lot to learn, and you shouldn’t let yourself get overwhelmed by the workload.
After passing my private pilot’s license exam, I was selected to join the Career+ Program established by Hélicraft, which allows us to gain experience in a safe environment that we know well.
In fact, even though the helicopter job market is very robust in Canada, it’s still difficult to find a pilot position right after earning a private pilot’s license because we don’t have enough flight hours.
In conclusion, being a pilot is truly an exceptional profession. Make the most of every flight you can take, and talk to other pilots about their experiences and/or close calls—all of this will only benefit your future career.
We look forward to discussing this on social media or in person at Hélicraft over a cold beer.