Table of Contents
FOREWORD
CHAPTER ONE: OPENING THOUGHTS
So, You Want to be a Pilot
Purpose
Why I Wrote This Book
The Canadian Aviation Industry
Career Paths
Types of Certifications
What Pilots Do
My Story
Outline
CHAPTER TWO: BEFORE STARTING OUT
The Medical Exam
Air Cadets
Intro Flights
A Back-up Plan
Women in Aviation
CHAPTER THREE: HOW TO GET YOUR LICENCE
Flight Schools
Colleges
List Of Aviation College Programs
College—Own Fleet
College Program in Conjunction with a Private Flight School
University Degree Programs
Pilot Diploma Programs
The Armed Forces
CHAPTER FOUR: STARTING YOUR TRAINING
Choosing Your Instructor
Radiotelephone Operator’s Restricted Certificate (Aeronautical)
PSTAR
The First Solo
Continuing Lessons
The Cross-Country
The Private Pilot Written Exam
Physical and Mental Preparation
Getting There
What to Bring
At the Counter
Getting Organized in the Room
Time Management
Getting Help
Reading the Question
The Four Responses/Answering the Question
“How Goes It” List
Final Check
The Private Pilot Flight Test
Experience Requirements
Standards
CHAPTER FIVE: BECOMING A COMMERCIAL PILOT
Networking
Working at the Airport
Informing Thy Self
In-flight Training
Different Ratings
The Commercial Pilot Licence Written Exam
The Commercial Pilot Licence Flight Test
Experience Requirements
The Webster Trophy
CHAPTER SIX: GETTING THE JOB
Instructing
Working the Ramp
Working the Dock
Other Routes
Finding a Job
Detective Work
Aviation Résumés
Padding your Logbook
Cover Letters
Following Up
Lurking
Interviews
Working for Free
Training Bonds
CHAPTER SEVEN: YOUR FIRST FLYING JOB
Risk Management
The Check Ride
Being a Good Employee
Alcohol & Narcotics
Being a Good Pilot
Being a Good Co-Pilot
Applying to Other Jobs
Leaving a Company
CHAPTER EIGHT: THE NEXT STEP
Larger Charter Companies
Commuter Airlines
Regional Airlines
Requirements
Job Details
Pay
The Hiring Process
Pros/Cons
CHAPTER NINE: THE AIRLINES
Air Canada
Requirements
Job Details
Pay
The Hiring Process
Pros/Cons
WestJet
Requirements
Job Details
Pay
The Hiring Process
Pros/Cons
Other Airlines
Skyservice
Air Transat
Zoom Airlines
SunWing
CanJet
Northern Airlines
CHAPTER TEN: CORPORATE AVIATION
Hiring
Pros/Cons
CHAPTER ELEVEN: OTHER FLYING CAREERS
Instructing
Bush Pilot
Water Bomber Pilot
Geo-Surveying
Transport Canada Inspector
Test Pilot
CHAPTER TWELVE: SO, DO YOU WANT TO BE A PILOT?
Why Do You Want To Be a Pilot?
Do You Require a Set Schedule?
How Do You Handle Being Away From Home?
Do You Have The Intestinal Fortitude to Get the Job Done?
How Much Do You Value Your Sleep?
Can You Work 14-hour Days?
Can You Handle Job Instability?
The Flying Disease
The Future of Aviation
Final Thoughts
Appendix ONE: Sample Aviation Résumé
Appendix TWO: AIR CANADA SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Appendix THREE: WESTJET SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Author Biography
© 2008 James Ball and Writing on Stone Press Inc.
