Expert: David A. NewMyer - 3/22/2004

Question
Dear Sir,
   I am a retired Flight engineer from Indian Air Force aged 40years, retired in 2002.  I have more than 10 years of flying experience with more than 3300 hours of flying in fixed wing and helicopters.  I also have more than 5 years of experience in Helicopters as engine technician.But I do not posses any civil license.  Now I am jobless, I am looking for an aviation job, can you please guide me to obtain a job specialy in Canada.
   With regards and thanks.

Answer
Hi, Bhaskaran:

I am not totally familiar with aviation jobs in Canada, but, the key things to possess for ANY aviation job in the civilian world are:

1. Education....a BS or BA degree, hopefully in a related or technical field (aviation, engineering, computer science, electronics, or business);

2. Certification as a pilot or mechanic or both; and,

3. Experience in aviation.

Obviously, you have #3 above: Experience.  They key for you now is to capitalize on that experience by pursuing both education (if you do not have a degree....your question did not indicate if you had a degree or not) and certification.  Your experience is divided between both flying (but, you did not indicate if any of the flight hours that you possess are PILOT IN COMMAND flight hours...that is key to searching for a job) and engine technician work.  When working as either a pilot or an engine technician in the civilian world, you must have certification.  The question for you will be: Which certification will "pay off" more quickly, pilot certification or engine technician (or Airframe and Power Plant mechanic) certification?  IF your flight hours are NOT pilot in command flight hours, then, you will have to not only get pilot certification, you will also have to build civilian flight time to begin to qualify for employment.  If your flight time in the military is NOT pilot in command flight time, you might, therefore, consider obtaining your airframe and power plant mechanic certiification to work in engine maintenance in the civil aviation industry.

That is the best guidance that I have for you.

Once you have obtained the certification, keep in mind that the majority of aviation jobs are located in key aviation centers such as Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto.  Helicopters are also used throughout Canada as an oil and mineral exploration vehicle.   Therefore, there might be jobs in rural areas as a helicopter mechanic.

You might check the following sources for job ads:

1.  Air Jobs Digest:  A monthly publication that sells for $49 for a three month subscription.  Call 1-800-AIR-JOBS to order.

2.  www.findapilot.com

3.  www.aviationemployment.com

4.  www.avcrew.com

5.  www.aviationinterviews.com

Best wishes to you,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu