First name: Titouan
Age: 21 years old
City of origin: Chamonix Mont-Blanc (France)
Education: A.E.C. CPL (M)
Helicopter: R22, R44, R66
Start of training: March 2022
Hi, everyone! 👋
My name is Titouan, I’m 21 years old (in 2024), and I’m from Chamonix, where I grew up in the heart of the Alps. 🏔️
I've always dreamed of becoming a helicopter pilot.
I used to see those planes flying overhead every day, and I constantly wondered what the view from the cockpit must be like and how the pilots felt. That dream wasn’t sparked by any particular event; it had always been there, inexplicably.
After completing a traditional high school education, I decided to pursue my dream by moving to Montreal after graduating from high school.
At first, I thought about joining the military to get training, but after talking to several pilots and exploring other options, I decided to look into Canada. It was a former student at Helicraft who told me about their training program. I contacted Benjamin, started the process for my visa and my move, and here I am in Canada in February 2022, ready to embark on a new adventure.
The training was an incredible experience. I was excited to learn a trade that I’m truly passionate about. There were seven of us in the class, and we watched each other grow while having fun—which naturally led to some great friendships!
As for me, I had the chance to fly with William, an instructor whose personality was a perfect fit for me.
All of my training flights went perfectly, and after earning my license, I was hired as a rookie pilot at Helicraft.
At the same time, I offered to help Benjamin and Sébastien with the marketing side of things, particularly with social media, photo shoots, and creating photo and video content. I really enjoy that part of the job, and it gave me a chance to discover another side of the company. So, in addition to being a pilot, my job was to shoot videos and photos for social media while carrying out the (many!) assignments and (even more!) tasks of a young pilot.
I’ve had the opportunity to log over 330 flight hours through the career program, taking part in unique missions: a ferry flight from Montreal to Calgary (in Alberta, a three-day flight), two-helicopter aerial photography flights to shoot videos for the school, and flights through stunning regions like the Saguenay and the Gaspé Peninsula.
Helicraft also trained me and certified me on the Robinson 66. Although not widely used in Quebec, this helicopter offers a first taste of turbine flight, a sound that turns heads when it starts up, and missions that differ from those flown in the R44, as it’s a more VIP-oriented aircraft.
Every flight was amazing, with Canada's breathtaking scenery 🇨🇦🌲.
Some of my fondest memories include flying with my family and friends, training with my colleagues, flying in formation, and that unforgettable flight to Alberta!
After nearly three years here and just under 500 flight hours, I’m getting ready to return to Europe to earn my European pilot’s license. I needed a new challenge, to see new aircraft, and to explore other aspects of flying.
This will bring me closer to the mountains and Chamonix, with the hope of finding new opportunities for the future! 😄
Since my goal is to fly in the Mont Blanc massif, this license is a must!
That doesn’t mean I’m turning my back on Canada, though! I fully intend to return—to fly along the North Shore or out west in the Rockies—but with more experience under my belt, and maybe even to finally see some bears from the sky 🐻!
If you have any questions or comments, I’d be happy to chat and try to answer any questions you might have! ➡️ @titouan.marel
Ar’vi 🚁