CANADIAN PILOTS: how do you become a commercial pilot in canada?

Question

I'm a sixteen year old, canadian girl. lol

thinking about a career as a commercial pilot and I'm not attending air cadets cause i don't want to join the air force.

i have quite a few questions.sorry about this. i just don't know anyone who can answer them for me..please answer them. it would be greatly appreciated

how long does it take to become a pilot?

how do you become a pilot?

if you dont mind me asking, how much do you make a year?

what happens after your flying career?

also, what happens if you have to end your career early then expected due to something (not sure what 'something' is but an incident) what other careers would you move on too? in the aviation industry. what careers are there??

thank you soo much. you dont know how much this would mean to me if you answer this. im sorry for throwing many questions out at you but like i said before i dont have anyone who can answer these questions.

thank you so much again!!

Answer 1

Hello imperfect,

Those are actually the 'perfect' questions to be asking if you are thinking about becoming a pilot in Canada. Asking these questions at age 16 shows a refreshing level of maturity.

I'll do my best to answer your questions. The first piece of advice that I would give you is to find out as much information as possible from as many different people in the industry as possible. What I think about things could vary significantly from someone else and you may agree more with their point of view.

how long does it take to be a pilot?

how do you become a pilot?

There are a couple different answers to this question. There are a number of different routes to get your Commercial Pilot Licence to be eligible to fly an airplane 'for hirer or reward'. If you go at your own pace through a local flying club/school, it is possible to get the licence in less than a year. Although, the realities of limited money, bad weather, other activities means that most people take longer to obtain their licence. The other route that is becoming more popular is to enroll in a College or University Aviation Program. These programs range in length from 2 to 4 years and will have different academic specializations.

Once you get your commercial licence after those 1-4 years of training, you will not walk right into a job as an airline pilot. Airlines in Canada require a certain amount of inudstry experience. In order to gain that experience, entry level pilots have to first work as flight instructors or attempt to gain employment on smaller charter aircraft. In order to get one a job on a smaller aircraft, pilots will usually (but not always) be required to move to a more remote area of the country and/or work on the 'ramp' in a non-flying position before being promoted to a flying position.

As you gain flying experience, you will move up to larger aircraft, often in more urban areas of the city. Usually after about 5-10 years of building up hours you'll be eligible for a job at one of the larger airlines. The 5-10 years is a rough estimate. I know many people who have been flying for 15 years but still haven't made it to the airlines whereas I have a few good friends who were hired by WestJet and Air Canada only 4 years or so after obtaining their licence.

how much do pilots make a year?

This can vary quite a bit. Airline Captains are paid quite well. For example, the most senior Captains who have been with Air Canada for 35 years and who are flying the Boeing 777 are making approximately $200,000 a year. Mid-level pilots at Air Canada and WestJet can make in the $100,000 a year range. So, in the long run the pay can be very comfortable.

HOWEVER, getting to that point takes quite a bit of time and pay for entry level pilot positions is exceptionally low. For the first few years as a pilot you're looking at wages anywhere between $18,000 and $35,000 a year. With most jobs paying in the low $20,000 a year range.

Although this pay will increase as you gain experience, you'll still have to take a pay cut when you start at an airline. WestJet's starting pay is $40,000 a year and Air Canada's starting pay is $37,300 a year.

More information about Canadian Airline's pay can be found at http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/...

What happens after your flying career?

In Canada, airline pilots are forced to retire at age 60. This has changed to 65 in the US and may eventually change in Canada, although there has not been as much of a push to change that. After age 60, many pilots will go and fly business aircraft for private companies or others will simply enjoy their retirement using their pension/savings and airline passes or others will try different ventures. The good thing about flying for an airline is that you eventually can get a fair amount of time off, a number of pilots have started their own businesses on the side and they simply continue doing that in their retirement.

What happens if you have to end your career early?

This is something that I think everyone who is thinking about becoming a pilot should ask themselves. Being a pilot is very dependent on your health. It is a good idea to have a back up plan if things don't work out. As well, the industry can often be unstable with airlines going out of business or pilots being laid off. Knowing how you'd support yourself and your family if you suddenly find your flying job is no longer there is an important question.

It depends on what the factors are that causes a pilot to have to stop flying, but there are a few options for other jobs. Within the industry, pilots can often take management positions, simulator instructor positions or become dispatchers. Outside of the industry there are lots of options. After flying for a few years I had some minor health problems. I didn't lose my medical, but decided it would be good pursue other options; I'm now in law school. There are many options for people, but it just depends on the person.

These are all excellent questions. Please don't hestiate to contact me via the e-mail on my book's webpage if you have anymore questions.

Good Luck!

James Ball

Author of "So, You Want to be a Pilot, Eh? - A Guidebook for Canadian Pilot Training"

http://www.piloteh.com

http://www.piloteh.blogspot.com