First name: Sebastien
Age: 24 years old
City of origin: Marseille (France)
Education: AEC, CPL (H)
Helicopter: R22, R44
Start of training: September 2020
Welcome to the Helicraft website. My name is Sébastien, also known as Tic. I’m 24 years old and I’m from the south of France. I’d like to share my experience with you, from my time at Helicraft all the way to earning my helicopter pilot’s license.
I was pursuing a master’s degree in physics at the university when I realized I needed a hands-on job. After doing some research on my long-held dream of becoming a pilot, I realized it was within reach.
So I contacted several schools, starting with those in France, Canada, and even the United States. Since my brother was living in Montreal at the time of my research, the idea of moving to Canada really took hold, and that’s when Helicraft naturally came to mind.
When I arrived in Quebec, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, so everything was complicated. Helicraft is there to offer advice, and thanks to the housing they provided, the move-in process went smoothly. Of course, they don’t handle the paperwork for you.
From day one, you’re thrown right into the deep end—there’s no time to waste, especially at the beginning. The first few classes are packed with information, which requires a lot of personal effort.
The biggest plus—and what’s really great—is that the ground and flight instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and approachable, no matter what the question. Special shout-out to Thomas, who must have been at his wits’ end.
Helicraft is kind of like a group of friends; every now and then, we get together in the evening for drinks. We love to celebrate the little milestones along the way—whether it’s a solo trip or a long voyage—often with a drink, and it’s really enjoyable.
Finally, thanks to a lot of hard work and dedication, I managed to stand out and join the Career Plus program with my partner Tac (you can read his testimonial on the website).
If I had to sum up today, I’d say it’s all about the people you meet. “And it’s kind of strange to think that chance encounters shape your destiny…” (Otis). Helicraft is, above all, a significant stepping stone into the world of helicopters.