Overview
Air pilots fly fixed wing aircraft and helicopters to provide air transportation and other services such as crop spraying and aerial surveying. Flight engineers assist air pilots with monitoring, troubleshooting and maintenance of aircraft systems and with pre- and post-flight inspections. Flying instructors teach flying techniques and procedures to student and licensed pilots. Air pilots, flight engineers and flight instructors are employed by airline and air freight companies, flying schools and by other public and private sector aircraft operators.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Air pilots
Conduct pre-flight inspection of aircraft and check passenger and cargo distribution to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met
Coordinate 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 revalidate 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.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$60,482
$120,318
$208,560
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
905expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
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.
Additional information
Flight engineers may progress to co-pilot and pilot positions with required hours of flying experience and completion of licensing and endorsement requirements.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors in B.C.
- Transport Canada Pilot Licence
Transport Canada Pilot Licence
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To work as an air pilot, flight engineer, or flying instructor in B.C., you need to have the appropriate licensing from Transport Canada. Eligibility is achieved by meeting age, medical fitness, knowledge, experience, skill, examination, and additional requirements. For specific requirements, refer to the Transport Canada website.
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.