Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 2271)

Air Pilots:

• Conduct pre-flight inspection of aircraft and check passenger and cargo distribution to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met
• Co-ordinate flight activities with ground crews and air-traffic control, inform crew members of flight and test procedures and direct activities of aircraft crew during flights
• Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions and other information
• Conduct in-flight tests and monitor functioning of aircraft equipment and systems during flights, maintain communications with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters and respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions
• Prepare flight evaluation reports
• Train pilots to use new equipment, or prepare them for examinations to re-validate or upgrade existing licences
• May fly new or experimental planes to examine their flight performance and safety
• May participate in search and rescue operations, forest firefighting, aerial surveying, crop dusting and other services.

Flight engineers

• Inspect aircraft prior to takeoff according to pre-flight checklist and verify passenger and cargo distribution to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met
• Assist air pilots in monitoring aircraft systems, equipment and functions during flight
• Make in-flight repairs, such as replacing fuses and adjusting instruments, and follow emergency procedures to compensate for equipment malfunction or failure
• Perform post-flight inspections, record equipment malfunctions and corrective actions taken during flight and report required repairs to ground maintenance personnel.

Flying instructors:

• instruct student pilots in procedures and techniques of flying aircraft and in ground-school subjects such as navigation, radio procedures and flying regulations
• train licensed pilots for additional certification

Work in this occupation is typically performed in a structured environment, such as an office or school, or inside an airplane or helicopter. Also, work circumstances may be treacherous, a potential source of injuries and produce sufficient noise to cause marked distraction or possible loss of hearing.

Education, training & qualifications

Pilots and flight engineers

• Completion of secondary school and graduation from a certified flying or aviation school are required.
• A university degree or college diploma may be required.
• A commercial pilot's licence or an air transport pilot's licence is required.
• Additional licences or endorsements to fly different types of aircraft are required.
• Flight engineers require a flight engineer license issued by Transport Canada.
• Structured training is provided by employers.

Flight instructors

• Completion of secondary school and graduation from a certified flying or aviation school are required.
• A university degree or college diploma may be required.
• A commercial pilot's or an air transport pilot's licence is required.
• Transport Canada ratings and endorsements to provide instructions on different types of aircraft are required.

Skills

• Directive
• Motor Coordination
• Manual Dexterity
• Detail-Oriented
• General Learning Ability
• Finger Dexterity

View skills definitions

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.