Careers at NAV CANADA
A career in air traffic services puts you on the front line keeping aircraft moving safely and efficiently. These are challenging and rewarding careers, where no two days on the job are the same. There are two main professions in the field of air traffic services – Air Traffic Controller and Flight Service Specialist – each with their own specializations and a key role in one of the world’s safest air navigation services.
Visual Flight Rules - VFR
VFR Controllers work at any of 40 airports across the country. Working in towers, these controllers have a direct view of the airport and aircraft. The radio instructions and clearances they provide help maintain a safe and orderly flow in the air and on the ground around the airport.
"Training is an intense but rewarding experience that is entirely focused on skills you will need for your new career. I also like the flexibility of shifts and opportunities to move into other areas if I so choose.
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Training and Salary
Training to become a VFR Controller starts by learning the basic operational rules and phraseology, then moving to simulation training in a generic airport setting.
PHASE 1: Classroom and Simulator Training
- Location: 1 of 7 Area Control Centres
- Duration: 5 to 6 months
- Phase 1 students allowance: $44,000
PHASE 2: On the Job Training
- Location: 1 of 41 airports across Canada
- Duration: 5 to 12 months
- Phase 2 training salary: $44,000.
TOTAL DURATIONS OF TRAINING: 10 to 18 months
SALARY RANGE FOR A LICENSED VFR CONTROLLER: $75,000 to $142,000.
Instrument Flight Rules - IFR
IFR Controllers work at any of the 7 area control centres across the country. IFR Controllers use surveillance displays, flight data processors, and communications systems to issue instructions and ensure that aircraft are kept an adequate distance apart and travel to their destination in the most efficient way possible.
"I enjoy the work as it is dynamic and constantly changing. From the daily procedures to the technology side of the operation, the job keeps you on your toes.
"
Training and Salary
IFR Controllers complete a generic IFR Air Traffic Controller training program and then specialize in specific segments of airspace within their designated flight information region (FIR).
PHASE 1: Classroom and Simulator Training
- Location: 1 of 7 Area Control Centres
- Duration: 6 to 8 months
- Phase 1 students allowance: $44,000
PHASE 2: Speciality Training
- Location: Assigned Area Control Centre
- Duration: 8 to 12 months
- Phase 2 training salary: $44,000.
TOTAL DURATIONS OF TRAINING: 20 to 27 months
SALARY RANGE FOR A LICENSED CONTROLLER: $103,000 to $151,000.
For VFR and IFR Controllers, you could receive:
- Location premiums for isolated postings;
- Evening, weekend and holiday shift premiums;
- Bonuses related to duties as an on-the-job instructor or taking on supervisory duties;
- Premiums for working at sites that offer air traffic services in both official languages.
Flight Service Specialist (AAS)
Area controllers, often referred to as IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) controllers, coordinate the safe and efficient movement of aircraft in flight between airports. Area controllers use surveillance displays, flight data processors, and communications systems to issue instructions and ensure that aircraft are kept an adequate distance apart and travel to their destination in the most efficient way possible.
"People sometimes ask me why I don’t request a transfer to a bigger city or a larger facility. I love living here and I love the sense of community that exists in les Iles de la Madeleine.
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Training and Salary
The Flight Service Specialist course consists of a specialized flight information course where the students are taught basic meteorology theory, local weather effects, pre-flight, and enroute services. This is followed by on-the-job training, where you will be paired with an experienced Flight Service Specialist who will serve as your on-the-job instructor.
PHASE 1: Classroom and Pilot Briefing Course
- Location: 1 of 7 Area Control Centres
- Duration: 5 to 6 months
- Phase 1 students' allowance: $30,000
PHASE 2: On the Job Training
- Location: 1 of 55 Flight Service Stations
- Duration: 3 to 5 months
- Phase 2 training salary: $37,000.
TOTAL DURATIONS OF TRAINING: 8 to 11 months
SALARY RANGE FOR A CERTIFIED FSS (AAS): $60,000 to $93,000.
Flight Information Centre - FIC
Flight Service Specialists can also work in flight information centres (FIC). These teams provide flight-planning services, deliver in-depth interpretive weather information and en-route flight information to aircraft operating in Canadian airspace.
FIC Flight Service Specialists work out of one of seven Flight Information Centres located in Kamloops, Whitehorse, Edmonton, Winnipeg, London, Quebec City and Halifax.
"I love the variety. One minute you’re giving a weather briefing, the next minute you’re delivering a clearance, filing a flight plan or issuing a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen).We provide a very broad range of services to pilots.
"
Training and Salary
Training for Flight Service Specialist (FSS) consists of a specialized flight information course where the students are taught basic meteorology theory, local weather effects, pre-flight, and enroute services. This is followed by on-the-job training, where you’ll be paired with an experienced FIC Flight Service Specialist who will serve as your on-the-job instructor.
PHASE 1: Classroom and Pilot Briefing Course
- Location: 1 of 5 Training Centres
- Duration: 5 to 6 months
- Phase 1 Student allowance: Approximately $30,000
PHASE 2: On the Job Training
- Location: 1 of 55 Flight Information Centres
- Duration: 4 to 5 months
- Phase 2 training salary: Approximately $37,000.
AVERAGE DURATIONS OF TRAINING: 9 to 11 months
APPROXIMATE SALARY FOR A CERTIFIED FSS (FIC): $72,000 to $90,000
As Flight Service Specialists at Flight Service Stations or Flight Information Centres you could receive:
- Location premiums for isolated postings;
- Evening, weekend and holiday shift premiums;
- Bonuses related to duties as an on-the-job instructor or taking on supervisory duties;
- Premiums for working at sites that offer air traffic services in both official languages.
If you’re an adaptable, hardworking team player who is interested in working with state-of-the-art systems and equipment then you should consider a career with our Technical Operations team.
Air Traffic Management (ATM)
Our ATM team works with communications equipment, RADAR displays, flight planning and tracking equipment and other critical safety and performance tools. These mission-critical systems require expert knowledge of communications and operating systems, server hardware and local/wide area networking.
Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS)
The CNS team provides regular maintenance, software upgrades and service restoration to equipment at our airports and remote locations across the country. CNS Technologists are trained in specialty and network communications as well as navigation and surveillance hardware.
If you’re an innovative, curious and interested in working on unique projects, our Engineering group is the right fit for you.
You’ll find our teams hard at work on hardware and software, with responsibilities from coding to field installation. They work collaboratively with other operational employees designing, developing, virtualizing, testing, producing and deploying advanced technology that meets our complex operational requirements, and has a direct impact on air traffic efficiency and safety.
Our employees are professionals from a range of disciplines that includes Avionics, Civil, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, Software and Systems Engineering and Electronics Technology, all making a significant contribution to Canada’s air navigation system.
""While putting a new surveillance system into operation, I participated in flight testing onboard an aircraft, performed an analysis of the data, and then watched Air Traffic Controllers use our data to guide aircraft."
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Our Company offers a wide range of careers and opportunities. From Human Resources to Operational Training, we believe that there is a position that is right for you.
See below for a list of the different departments within NAV CANADA.
For more information about each department, please visit www.navcanada.ca/careers.
Explore opportunities and Apply now