Job Title

Overview As a member of the military, Pilots fly a range of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) aircraft in a variety of roles: Search and Rescue, Fighter, Transport, Tactical Helicopter, or Maritime Patrol. Responsibilities The primary responsibilities of a Pilot are to plan, communicate, coordinate and execute tactical missions in support of civil authority or military objectives, such as humanitarian and disaster relief, and air intercept operations. Pilots work with sophisticated technology for precision tactical navigation systems, advanced communication systems, sensor systems, countermeasure systems and weapon delivery systems. Work Environment Pilots work in a variety of areas, ranging from the northernmost parts of Canada to duties supporting the Royal Canadian Navy. The working environment depends on the military role assigned. Search and Rescue Pilots are deployed anywhere in Canada to rescue people in distress and emergency situations. Fighter Pilots protect Canadians and defend our interests abroad. Transport Pilots deliver humanitarian aid worldwide. Tactical Helicopter Pilots support aid distribution and peacekeeping missions. Maritime Patrol Pilots protect Canadian coasts. Aircrew Selection Centre The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) requires that all Pilots, Aerospace Controllers and Air Combat Systems Officers attend and successfully complete the Aircrew Selection. The selection centre is located in Trenton, Ontario where candidates are tested over a 2day period with computerbased scenarios designed to validate the skills and aptitudes required by the RCAF. Success at Aircrew Selection is a necessary step to continue to be processed for these three occupations. Entry Plans Direct Entry Options Paid Education Options If you already have a university degree, the CAF will decide if your academic programme matches the criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required onthejob training program following basic training. Basic training and military officer qualification training are required before assignment. Vision Requirements Applicants who wear glasses, contacts or have had certain types of laser refractive surgery may apply for the Pilot occupation. However, pilots have more stringent visual requirements than other CAF applicants and must pass additional ophthalmology screening. Radial keratotomy or corneal reshaping procedures are not approved for pilots. Training After enrolment, recruits start basic officer training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in SaintJeansurRichelieu, Quebec, for 12 weeks. Topics covered include general military knowledge, leadership principles, CAF regulations and customs, basic weapons handling, first aid, and a rigorous physical fitness programme. Basic officer training is provided in English or French and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training. Following basic officer training, official secondlanguage training may be offered and can take from two to nine months to complete. Pilots attend Primary Flying Training at the Canadian Forces Flying Training School in PortagelaPrairie, Manitoba. This course introduces the military flying environment and procedures. Continued training depends on successfully completing this course. Following Primary Flying Training, the Prerequisite Training Course introduces pilots to the effects of flying on the human body, air safety procedures and basic survival techniques. The course includes aeromedical training, basic land survival, and basic sea survival. Basic Flying Training takes place at the NATO Flight Training Centre in MooseJaw, Saskatchewan for eight months. Pilots are trained to fly aircraft in a military environment through classroom, simulator and inflight instruction, and receive leadership development training. Based on flying performance, academic standing and leadership evaluation, recruits are assigned to one of three Advanced Flying Training paths. Advanced Flying Training Paths Rotary Wing Training at PortagelaPrairie, ManitobaBasic Helicopter Course on the Jet Ranger helicopter. MultiEngine Training at PortagelaPrairie, ManitobaBeech Raytheon King AirC90A. Fast Jet at MooseJaw, SaskatchewanHarvardII as a Fighter Pilot and an Instructor Pilot. At the end of Advanced Flying Training, pilots receive their Wings and proceed to an Operational Training Unit for training with the aircraft and in the role assigned before posting to an Operational Squadron. Parttime Options Parttime employment is available with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time at an Air Force Wing in their community, may be attending school or working a civilian job, and are paid during training. They are not posted or required to move, although they may volunteer to move to another base or for deployment. Pilots employed part time serve at a Royal Canadian Air Force Wing or Squadron located within Canada, including the North, and fly CAF aircraft in Search and Rescue, Transport and Tactical Helicopter roles. Air Reserve members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts and perform the same job. Reserve members are paid 92.8% of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan. Related Careers Armour Officer Aerospace Control Officer Naval Warfare Officer #J-18808-Ljbffr