Flying As a Career
Canada’s Commercial Aviation Industry
Private Flying School Graduates and Aviation College Graduates
For many students setting off on their commercial pilot training, they are the first in their family to contemplate such a career. All students have internal motivation for this choice, but most do not have external references to follow—they do not know anyone personally who fly for a living. This brochure is designed to paint a picture of professional flying—the practical side of personnel licensing—and, in particular, the all-important subject of career progression. The material in this section—which is based primarily on statistics—is derived from what may be described as a phenomenal study of professional flying in 2001 by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. The resultant publication—entitled Human Resource Study of Commercial Pilots in Canada (9.98 MB)—is based on interview and survey data derived from professional pilots, air operators, flight-training institutes, and student pilots. Some of their findings are summarized below, but everyone contemplating a career as a commercial pilot should read this publication in its orginal form. Even though we approach the 10-year aniversary of this document, the career processes and industry pressures that drive the professional pilot's career still ring true today.
When the study was conducted, 1177 air operator certificates had been issued in Canada.
When the last count was conducted by Transport Canada in 1999, there were 23,964 professional pilot licences (Commercial Pilot and Airline Transport Pilot Licences) issued, but a 1996 census by the Canadian Government found that 11,300 individuals identified themselves as active professional pilots.
The total number of professional licences grew by 2168 between 1998 and 1999.
The average age of professional pilot license-holders was even split between those over 40-years of age, and those less than 40 years.
Female pilots accounted for approximately 3% of professional licence-holders, with 54% of these reporting they had some university education. In contrast, 38% of the male license-holder reported some university education.
Private Flying School Graduates and Aviation College Graduates
Graduates from private flying schools are just as likely to be hired by an Air Taxi or Commuter operator as graduates from aviation colleges; graduates from private flying schools are more likely to be hired by Airline operators and corporate jet operators. Overall, with respect to recruitment sources, private flying school graduates account for 29% of new pilots hired, while aviation college graduates account for 23%.
Career Progression2
It was found that most air operators regard general attitude as the most important factor in assessing pilots for employment, with interpersonal and communications skills, and compatibility with the organization’s culture, ranking second and third, respectively.
With respect to the experience and education requirements applied to pilot selection, 17% of air operators reported they have raised the requirements, and 16% report they have lowered the requirement.
Almost 70% of professional pilots reported obtained their multi-engine rating and instrument rating within 12 months of receiving their Commercial Pilot License.3
The majority of professional pilots (59%) reported obtaining their Airline Transport Pilot License between 2 to 4 years after receiving their Commercial Pilot License.
Approximately 31% of professional pilots reported that their first job in the industry was as a flight instructor.
Approximately 71% of professional pilots reported success at obtaining employment as a pilot within 12 months after receiving their Commercial Pilot Licence.
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The majority of air operators and professional pilots reported that personal initiative was the primary factor that affected career advancement.4
Approximately 20% of air operators reported they experienced an annual turn-over rate in their pilot pool of 30%.
About 9% of pilots expect to leave their profession, and 90% of these respondents expect to do so in the next 3 years.
Income5
The majority of professional pilots reported their annual incomes in excess of $65,000, while just over 25% reported earnings less than $40,000 per year.
Approximately 42% of airline pilots and 28% of corporate pilots earn annual incomes in excess of $100,000.
Among air operators, 25% reported that they use a special start rate for entry-level pilots.
A high level of satisfaction with respect to working conditions was reported by the majority of professional pilots.
One third of the professional pilot reported “good” or “excellent” relations with managers, while an equal portion reported “poor” or “very poor” relations.
Future Skills6
Some observers believe the aviation industry is on the verge of a technological revolution, with changes within the next few years being far greater than was experienced in the preceding 20 or 30 years.
NASA is predicting a major revolution in aircraft design.
Others predict the appearance of new-generation ultra-large aircraft, combined with a new fleet of small-capacity, long-haul transport. Aircraft control will be computer based (i.e., Flight Management System) and likely entail glass cockpits.
Of the air operators, between 24% and 45% felt that there was a shortcoming in pilot skills with respect to technical and non-technical skills.
One-half of all airline operators felt there where pilot skill and knowledge deficiencies in the areas of GPS, de-icing and surface contamination, and navigation; 60% reported deficiencies in the area of cockpit-systems management.7
The aviation industry is described as pro-cyclical, meaning it tends to rise and fall with greater amplitude than is experienced by the general economy (as measured by the Gross Domestic Product).
Worldwide, air travel has doubled since 1985; in Canada, the number of passenger movements grew by 2.7% between 1990 and 1999.
In 1999, passenger movements in Canada were 85.4 million; this is projected to reach 98.2 million in 2004, 115.8 million in 2009, and 132.2 million by 2014.
Canadian international passenger traffic is expected to increase by 4.8% during the period 1999-2004.
Between 1999 and 2004, air cargo is projected to increase by 5%.
The number of retiring professional pilots is expected to increased markedly in the coming years.
