Jump to content

Croman SIC Position


Recommended Posts

Anyone here taken a SIC spot with Croman? What did you think about it? Something I'm considering after instructing, just to see something different in the industry. Maybe even meet some people who can point me in other directions as well. I'd like to hear what people have to say, PM me if you would like also. Thanks!

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Had a buddy do it awhile back (talking maybe 6 years now) after he got his commercial license and about 200 hours. Aside from the measely pay and dealing with grumpy pilots, he enjoyed it for the 6 months he did the job, until he was laid off after fire season.

 

Id try to get a utilty R44 job in alaska for a couple seasons and then transition over and do some work for Era with your Alaskan time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the advice RagMan. It's just something I am looking into to shake things up if I ever feel the need after instructing. I most likely will go to the canyon next, just like to have options available. More info is always better. I appreciate the input! I certainly have been looking at Era as well, so thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Anyone here taken a SIC spot with Croman? What did you think about it? Something I'm considering after instructing, just to see something different in the industry. Maybe even meet some people who can point me in other directions as well. I'd like to hear what people have to say, PM me if you would like also. Thanks!

 

 

I worked for them for 2 years. Its a good way to get started. If you are heli logigng, you will puke your brains out until you get used to it. It will suck and you will hate your life until you do. Stick it out. If you get hired for firefighting, its a lot of fun. I got to help save some houses, working with 3 other helicopters along with guys on the ground. There was A LOT going on and a lot to pay attention to.

 

Heli logging is kinda boring and virtually no stick time.

 

You'll get a livable wage and health benefits in the USA. If you are in Canada, you'll work with people from other companies and possibly get some job leads.

 

You'll never be a command pilot.

 

If they hire you to firefight, take the job, though its a lot of time waiting on the ground. If they hire you for heli logging, be prepared to puke, but you'll fly a lot.

 

I think it was a great experience flying with 20,000 hour pilots. I totally recommend working for them.

 

One bad part is nobody really cares about SIC time. But you'll get lots of experience and weather wont scare you as much.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks a lot for the info! Again it's just something I'm kicking around as an option. I won't do it until I have over 1,000 hours. That way I can do it to get the bit of experience and networking. Then I can still move into one of the usual 1,000 hour jobs. Thanks again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

...I won't do it until I have over 1,000 hours...

Just because you have 1000hrs doesn't mean you will get an SIC job with Croman, HTS, Ericson, Columbia. Sure, more flight time helps but don't assume that your flight time is what gets you hired.

 

Some people don't the see the value of SIC jobs, where you get to fly with highly experienced, high-time captains in complex multi engine heavy helicopters. Just because you don't get hardly any PIC time doesn't mean it's a waste of time. Especially working on Fires with TYPE 1 Helicopters, working with AirTac, IC, ground crew, other helicopters, AirTankers in confined airspace, and listening to 3 Frequencies at once can be really busy and demanding.

 

Depending on if you are working on a EU or CWN contract and depending on the intensity of the fire season in your region , you may or may not fly a lot. But I personally enjoyed the time at the base, talking to other flight and ground crews....but yes...some days are longer than others.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Falko, I think you're misunderstanding what I am saying. What I mean is that I won't leave instructing until I have over 1,000 hours. That's not because I believe that will get me hired at Croman. It's because then I can take a job at Croman for a while, and then still be in a spot to go to the gulf or the canyon. If I left instructing before 1,000 hours then I might have to try to instruct again in order to meet the PIC requirements to move on.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm curious what the actual number of hours that people are getting hired at these days. When I was looking for a job a few years ago, the magic 1000 was more like the magic 1500+....and inside connections (except in a few cases).

 

Any input from anybody who got hired this season?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just because you have 1000hrs doesn't mean you will get an SIC job with Croman, HTS, Ericson, Columbia. Sure, more flight time helps but don't assume that your flight time is what gets you hired.

 

Some people don't the see the value of SIC jobs, where you get to fly with highly experienced, high-time captains in complex multi engine heavy helicopters. Just because you don't get hardly any PIC time doesn't mean it's a waste of time. Especially working on Fires with TYPE 1 Helicopters, working with AirTac, IC, ground crew, other helicopters, AirTankers in confined airspace, and listening to 3 Frequencies at once can be really busy and demanding.

 

Depending on if you are working on a EU or CWN contract and depending on the intensity of the fire season in your region , you may or may not fly a lot. But I personally enjoyed the time at the base, talking to other flight and ground crews....but yes...some days are longer than others.

Falko, the stuff you mentioned in this post is exactly what I'm talking about man. I can definitely see the value of rubbing elbows with high time captains, learning long-line, fires, logging, all of it. Honestly, I'm not necessarily in a hurry to go from this job to that job to EMS, for example. I want to have lots of learning experiences, and I think a SIC gig like this would be right up my alley. Anything to broaden my skills and knowledge is a good thing. Plus, for me, I just want to see several different sides to the industry. Thanks for the input!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...