Success Stories

Cameron Johnson in Uniform with JAZZ: Cameron Johnson, a OFC student, visits OFC on a stop-over during his line indoctrination training.Cameron Johnson landed at YOW today and stopped by to visit. Cameron was an OFC student in the Algonquin College program. He graduated in 2009 and was hired by OFC as an instructor pilot. In the spring of 2010, Cameron won a the Air Canada JAZZ award which provides a possible direct entry first-officer position. He started training in November and has just completed the line indoctrination. He will now be on the roster of duty first-officers with JAZZ.

Cameron related that the JAZZ training was rather intense. Most of the checklist are memorized flows of activity that are backed up by checklists. Training involved hours in a procedure trainer to learn the flows. The simulator sessions would involve an hour pre-brief in the procedure trainer and then four hours in the simulator with another hour of post brief. It was a lot to cover day after day.

It is great to see one of our students flying a DASH-8 as a professional pilot, especially so early in his career. Congratulations Cameron.

Ken Wright in the business end of the PC-12.: Ken, wearing his OFC gear, at the First Officer position of the PC-12.Ken Wright, an OFC student and instructor has just landed a job with Porter Airlines as a first officer. Ken left us in June 2010 to work with Transwest Air, but moved quickly to Wasaya, flying a Piper Navajo and Pilatus PC-12. He moved from Wasaya to Bearskin Airlines in November and then was hired by Porter in January. I'm not sure if this is indicative of the early career of a professional pilot but the rapid transitions likely speak to Ken's ability as a pilot and his outgoing personable nature.

Congratulations Ken and good luck!

A Wasaya Pilatus PC-12: The aircraft flown by Ken while he worked at Wasaya Airlines.

Back in April, Algonquin College participated in the Air Canada Jazz Award, sending the name of one student, selected by their peers and a nominating committee. The award is a possible direct entry first-officer position. The student nominated was Cameron Johnston who graduated from the program in 2009.

The award selection process involves the nomination, several interviews and a session in a large simulator where Jazz assesses the candidate for crew compatibility and competence.

Cameron passed the interviews and simulator sessions and was put on a waiting list. As courses opened, they said, Air Canada JAZZ would call and fill their courses from the waiting list.

He got the call today.

It is a big deal for Cameron, getting a direct entry job with a major airline so early in his career. It is a big deal for us as well. OFC trains students to become professional pilots so it is gratifying to see that one of our own has been recognized and rewarded with a great start in their career.

For the past year, Cameron has been working as an instructor at OFC. His students will miss his dedication to the job and his friendship and so will we.

Morgan Ross after achieving his instructor rating.Morgan Ross successfully completed his instructor rating today. Morgan, an OFC member, as been working as a dispatcher wtih us while he completed his flight training. This morning he completed his instructor ride with Oonagh Elliot from Transport Canada and had his license signed off. Congratulations Morgan! You are now responsible for the future of aviation in Canada.

Mike.

Ronen Raz by JFERonen Raz, one of our instructors, has accepted a job with Creeway Aviation. Located in Thompson Manitoba, Creeway Aviation provides aircraft charter and maintenance services to Northern Manitoba. They have a newly acquired Piper Navajo CR and provide charter services from Thompson to locations across Canada.

Ronen Raz has been with the Ottawa Flying Club since graduating as a Student from the Algonquin Aviation Management Program in the fall of 2008. A hard worker, Ronen applied himself to flight instruction and logged over 750 hours of instructional time in his first year – more than twice the average across all the instructors and 150 hours more than the next highest instructor.

We will miss Ronen's positive, infectious attitude and sense of good humour.

Ronen, best wishes from the Ottawa Flying Club on this next stage in your career!

Mike.

Piper Navajo of Transwest Air Ken Wright, one of our instructors, has accepted a job with Transwest Air based in Stony Rapids Saskatchewan. He will be the Captain of a Navajo, flying twenty days on and ten days off. In his off time, he hopes to be in Ottawa where he can continue to participate with OFC.

Ken was an Algonquin College graduate who trained at OFC and became one of our instructors. He quickly rose through the ranks to become the lead instructor in multi-engine IFR training. In January 2009, he was awarded the Dave Edward/Tom Jerard award by the Air Canada Pilots Association based on peer recommendations of who they would most like to work with. Very personable, he has been well liked both in the air and in class by students who have enjoyed his energetic delivery and unquestioned enthusiasm for flight. He has been the lead instructor in the development of our Advanced Multi-engine IFR program.

While we will miss Ken as a full time instructor, we understand that instructing is often just a stage in a long aviation career. Ken and his wife Vita have also just had a new baby boy, so double congratulations are in order.

Ken, Good luck in both your endeavors and let the adventures begin!

Mike.