Ornge isn’t waiting around for others to address the pilot shortage — or the fierce competition for talent in the helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) sector. It’s been just over a year since the company introduced a new approach.
In January 2025, the Ontario air ambulance provider launched an instrument flight rules (IFR)/night rating reimbursement program. So far, four pilots have completed training through the program, with several others currently in progress.
Ornge manager of training and standards Sean Morley said helicopter pilot recruitment is a challenge across the entire Canadian HEMS sector.
“Everyone is feeling the same pressures,” he said. “Essentially, it boils down to qualified applicants. Not many have the specialized skills and ratings. In 2023, 2024, and 2025, Transport Canada approved only 17, 27, and 52 ATPLs [airline transport pilot licenses]. Yes, that’s an upswing, but it’s not nearly enough. And some of those pilots go into the international market.”
Leaders at Ornge examined what could be done to ease entry into HEMS and concluded it was simply a matter of providing a bit of support.
“When I did my license in 2002, it was $60,000,” Morley said. “It was crippling debt that took me a decade to pay back. Now it’s $100,000 — and it’s another $30,000 to get your IFR. Cost is definitely a barrier.”
Ornge therefore created a program in which pilots pay for their IFR rating upfront, and the organization reimburses them, up to $30,000, in two installments — after one and two years of service.
One participant, First Officer Jamie Doig, said that in transitioning from visual flight rules (VFR) to IFR, “working with Ornge has significantly sharpened my instrument scanning, situational awareness, and crew resource management skills, building confidence and composure in reduced-visibility operations.”
Looking at options
Like other operators, Ornge is continually exploring ways to boost recruitment and retention. For years, the organization has offered a retention bonus program that includes monthly payments and additional bonuses on anniversary years.
“We also offer state-of-the-art aircraft, the [Leonardo AW139], and an excellent work-life balance where you can be home every night versus grueling seasonal work,” Morley said. “I know myself how tough it can be. I’ve had years where I worked three jobs — in firefighting and oil-and-gas — and I know how nice it is to be able to settle down.”
Morley said that after discussions about recruitment in 2024, Ornge zeroed in on an IFR/night rating reimbursement program because it was something that could be implemented immediately. He added that Ornge already invests heavily in training new pilots to fly the 139, so supporting IFR/night training is not an extraordinary measure.
In developing the program, the team carefully considered how many years the reimbursement should be spread over and ultimately settled on two. While full return on investment isn’t achieved within 24 months, the hope is that this support — along with the other benefits of working at Ornge — will encourage pilots to build their entire careers there.
In Morley’s view, HEMS is a uniquely rewarding sector for pilots. “You’re part of a high-performance team, and when you see the paramedics kick into high gear, it’s amazing to be a part of it,” he said. “At the end of the day, you don’t want to give that up. There are new challenges all the time. Every day is different. I’ve done a lot of things as a pilot, and this is the one that’s worth pursuing.”
Ornge plans to keep the reimbursement program in place over the long term. “We also hope others will implement similar initiatives,” Morley said. “Not only does it help with HEMS recruitment, it’s also really good for pilots on the whole,” in terms of professional development and expanding the available talent pool.
