Mentorship Program for Graduates

“L R HELICOPTERS Graduate Program: Your Pathway into the Helicopter Industry”

An extension of your initial training, this program combines mentorship and hands-on experience to kickstart your aviation career. Make the right choice—it’s your future!

Graduate Program

Graduate Pilot Program

L R HELICOPTERS Graduate Program is an extension to initial training; it will get you started in the helicopter industry. Make the right choice; it is your career.

Graduate employment opportunities available for our successful graduate Commercial Pilots. 

 If you answered yes to the above questions, continue reading!

What is the Graduate Pilot Program?

The L R HELICOPTERS Graduate Program is a structured, career-focused pathway designed to help newly qualified pilots gain 650–1,000 flight hours by transitioning through different industry roles. This program provides real-world experience, preparing pilots for advanced career opportunities.

Flight School

Begin your journey with the Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence (CHPL) program, where you'll build a strong foundation in aviation principles, flight safety, and operational protocols. Graduates must hold a Transport Canada pilot license or relevant type ratings to advance.

Ground Crew

Step into operational roles, assisting with helicopter logistics, refueling, and safety protocols. This hands-on experience ensures a seamless transition from training to active flight operations.

Tour Operations

Advance to flying as a tour pilot, mastering navigation, passenger interaction, and in-air safety while building your Pilot-in-Command (PIC) hours.

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Flight Instructor

After meeting the required flight hours, graduates can train to become certified flight instructors, mentoring the next generation of pilots while refining their own skills.

Forestry Pilot

Receive specialized training to operate in challenging environments, including firefighting missions, external load operations, and forestry support.

Continuous Development

L R HELICOPTERS offers ongoing training in areas such as fire operations, search and rescue missions, and aerial surveying, keeping your career progression on track.

Career Outcomes

This program provides a clear pathway from student pilot to professional, with opportunities to move into specialized roles like forestry pilots, instructors, and commercial operators.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Pilots must have completed their Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence (CHPL) before joining the program. CHPL graduates typically have 100–120 flight hours upon entry.

Our 4-year structured pathway provides progressive career development, allowing pilots to build experience before advancing to flight roles. The typical progression includes:

  1. Ground Crew Phase (No Flight Hours Logged)
    • Pilots begin in operational support roles, gaining valuable hands-on industry experience.
    • Responsibilities include aircraft handling, safety procedures, refueling, logistics, and ground operations.
    • While no flight hours are logged, this phase is essential for developing industry knowledge and connections.
  2. Tour Pilot Role (100–250 Flight Hours)
    • The first opportunity to log flight hours begins here.
    • Pilots transition into scenic tours and charter flights, accumulating PIC hours in controlled, structured environments.
  3. Flight Instructor Training (250+ Flight Hours)
    • After reaching 250 flight hours, pilots can begin flight instructor training to expand their career prospects.
    • This phase prepares them for a stable and accelerated way to build Pilot in Command (PIC) hours.
  4. Flight Instructor Role (400–1,000+ Flight Hours)
    • Once certified, instructors train new students and accumulate 65 PIC hours per student.
    • On average, an instructor working with 5 students per year will gain 325 flight hours annually.
    • After two years as an instructor, pilots typically reach 650–1,000 total flight hours, making them eligible for advanced career roles.

Our goal is to help pilots progress from 100 to 1,000+ flight hours within four years:

100–250 hours: Accumulated through Tour Pilot Roles, flying scenic tours and charters.

250–285 hours: Pilots complete Flight Instructor Training, gaining approximately 35–40 flight hours during this phase.

285–1,000+ hours: Earned as a fully certified flight instructor, with instructors gaining 65 hours per student (approximately 325 hours per year if training five students annually).

This structured pathway ensures pilots steadily build their flight hours, making them eligible for advanced career opportunities at 650+ flight hours and beyond.

A clear, guided career path with steady hour-building opportunities

Hands-on experience in multiple sectors (tourism, flight instruction, and operations)

Consistent flight hour accumulation through instruction

Opportunities to gain additional certifications such as type ratings, mountain training, and external load operations

Eligibility for advanced industry roles after 650+ hours

Upon reaching 650+ flight hours, pilots will be eligible for:

  • Wildfire Suppression & Aerial Firefighting (650+ hours)
  • Corporate & Private Pilot Roles (Varies by employer)
  • Utility & Sling Load Operations (1,000+ hours)

To apply, contact us directly through our website or speak with your flight instructor about eligibility. We welcome dedicated pilots eager to build their careers through structured training and real-world experience.

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