Air Pilots, Flight Engineers and Flying Instructors

## About This Job

Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors work for airline and air freight companies, flying schools and other public and private sector aircraft operators.

### **Air Pilots**

fly fixed wing aircraft and helicopters to provide air transportation and other services, such as crop spraying and aerial surveying.

### **Flight Engineers**

help air pilots monitor, troubleshoot and maintain aircraft systems, as well as with pre- and post-flight inspections.

### **Flying Instructors**

teach flying techniques and procedures to student and licensed pilots.

## Duties

### **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 Environment

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.

## Job Requirements

### **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