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Compare what the work involves and which first decision to research. These are starting guides, not employment promises.
Reviewed 24 September 2026 · Primary sources linked by role
Fly aircraft for paid work after meeting Transport Canada licensing rules and an employer's additional requirements. The early decision is whether to pursue training and which training model you can sustain.
In high school: learn the Category 1 medical process, visit providers, compare itemized quotes, and talk to working pilots about first jobs.
Read the Canadian pilot roadmap →NAV CANADA selects and trains controllers. Its current career information sets age, education, citizenship or permanent-resident, language, medical and other conditions. Prior aviation experience is not presented as a requirement.
In high school: study the selection process and assess the role's communication, decision-making and relocation demands; do not pay for pilot training solely to qualify for ATC.
NAV CANADA selection and training ↗Transport Canada describes approved basic training, practical experience, tasks and exams before an AME licence is issued. Licensing and working in a maintenance role are distinct stages.
In high school: compare approved training programs, ask about the experience after graduation, and visit a maintenance organization if an adult organizer can arrange it.
Transport Canada AME licensing ↗Dispatchers help an operator plan and control flights with the pilot-in-command. Transport Canada publishes generic exams and operator training material; the route is not the same as earning a pilot licence.
In high school: compare dispatch duties with pilot and airport operations work, then read the official study and training outline.
Transport Canada dispatcher material ↗Airports need people in operations, safety, maintenance, planning and customer-facing work. Titles and entry routes vary by employer, so an airport's own job descriptions matter.
In high school: identify a nearby airport and compare two actual job descriptions. Ask what training or work experience each requires.
BC Aviation Council operations scholarship examples ↗Aerospace engineering typically requires an engineering degree; other technical and manufacturing roles have different pathways. Canada's Job Bank explains typical aerospace-engineer education and professional licensing.
In high school: compare engineering, technician and manufacturing roles before choosing a post-secondary program.
Job Bank: aerospace engineering requirements ↗Cabin crew, ramp, cargo and customer service roles are part of aviation, but job conditions vary by airline and airport. An airline's current posting is the best source for its own requirements.
In high school: read current postings from more than one employer and separate required qualifications from preferred experience.
Example: Perimeter Aviation career FAQ ↗Pick two roles that appeal to you. For each, find one official entry source, one current employer posting, and one professional who can describe the work. Record the first action you can take this month.
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