While the typical work month consists of approximately 80 hours of flying, pilots spend many additional hours on such ground duties as preparing flight plans, readying the aircraft for departure, and completing post-flight reports. A days work may vary from a long-range international flight to a sequence of shorter domestic flights. Reserve duty, in which the pilot is "on call," may also be assigned. Air Canada pilots operate out of one of four crew bases: Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg or Vancouver. Base preferences are awarded in seniority, so pilots must be willing to relocate as assigned. Pilots typically begin their careers as First Officers on domestic aircraft or as Relief Pilots on long-range, international flights.

Job Requirements:

These vary from employer to employer, but to fly for Air Canada, for example, pilots must meet these basic requirements:

• 1,000 hours of fixed-wing flying time
• Completion of schooling to the university entrance level
• Ability to pass the Air Canada and Transport Canada medical and visual acuity requirements for a Category 1 medical certificate
• Canadian Commercial Pilot licence, current Instrument Rating and Multi-Engine endorsement
• Canadian citizenship or landed immigrant status

Pilot applications far exceed job vacancies, so preference is given to candidates with qualifications beyond the basic requirements. Examples of desirable additional qualifications include, but are not limited to:

• Canadian Airline Transport Pilot licence
• University degree or college diploma
• Aviation college diploma
• Military or commercial flight experience
• Jet and/or glass cockpit experience
• Additional language(s)