PHOTO: Moncton Flight College

When people think of flying, they naturally think of
pilots. These are the highly skilled, highly trained individuals who keep Canada’s fixed-wing (propeller and jet) and rotary-wing (helicopter) aircraft aloft. Although an airline pilot is the most common image associated with this profession, pilots fly all manner of aircraft: VIP business jets, float-equipped bush planes, small commuter turboprops, sightseeing single-engine propeller planes, and of course, the big passenger and cargo jets that cross the skies daily.

The process of becoming a pilot starts with education, usually at a facility dedicated to flying instruction. This is where students attend both “ground school” (aviation classes) and “flight school” (simulator and in-aircraft training). There are numerous stages of education to go through before one can become a commercial pilot. As well, one has to accumulate “flight hours” – time spent in the air flying aircraft and gaining real-life experience in all kinds of weather conditions. To gain an edge over other job applicants, it may be wise to attend either a college or university that offers aviation courses, depending on where a student wants to go in his/her career path. Training and serving in the Canadian Forces is also a good way to gain a pilot’s licence and flying hours – and to get the chance to fly a wide range of exciting and different aircraft.

Captain Paul Strachan has been with Air Canada for the past 12 years. Before that, he started out in the Canadian Forces, where he earned his wings and subsequently flew C-130 Hercules air transports. “What I love best about the job is the travel, both in Canada and around the world,” Capt. Strachan says. “But you have to be prepared to work irregular hours, sometimes in the day, and sometimes at night. Being a pilot means that you also can be on the job during holidays and family occasions. Still, even with these points, being a pilot is a great career.”

Pilot pay levels vary depending on a number of things, including the type of flying and the level of airline a pilot flies with. Those starting out in the industry should not expect to make big money off the top, but the potential to earn a good salary is there as a pilot gains flight hours and experience.