Helicopter Pilot

Job Description

About the Company Airbus Helicopters Canada Ltd (AHCA) carries out helicopter completions, maintenance, quality assurance, training and flight operations from Fort Erie, supporting customers across Canada and the USA. Role Overview As a key member of the AHCA Flight Operations team reporting directly to the Head of Flight Operations, the Helicopter Pilot operates with a high degree of autonomy while collaborating closely with multi-disciplinary teams including Aircraft Completions, Maintenance, Quality Assurance and Training. The pilot supports all assigned flight operations across Canada and the USA in strict adherence to company policies, OEM flight manuals, the AHCA Flight Operations Manual and Transport Canada regulations, consistently placing flight safety first. Duties include post-production and maintenance test flights, customer ground and flight instruction, and technical and administrative guidance to support fleet operations. The role demands high operational adaptability, readiness to manage spontaneous scheduling changes, the ability to travel across North America at short notice, and support during weekends or statutory holidays when mission requirements dictate. Key Responsibilities Maintenance flights, deliveries and demonstrations Conduct maintenance flight tests ensuring full compliance with technical manuals, OEM flight manuals, safety standards and Transport Canada regulations. Perform rigorous flight testing and troubleshooting to evaluate airframes and onboard systems, identify technical issues and work across departments on effective solutions. Support customer deliveries, new helicopter completions (NHC), major alterations and repairs (MAR) and ferry flights as assigned. Execute dedicated flight test programmes and Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) compliance flights as assigned. Review all relevant technical documentation, flight controls, procedures and historical aircraft logs before test operations. Maintain operational proficiency with new or modified avionics, systems, instrumentation and specialised mission equipment. Debrief and coordinate post-flight test results with Quality Assurance, Flight Line, Engineering and Flight Operations personnel. Partner with Commercial and Marketing teams on customer demonstration flights, static displays and trade show presentations. Training Deliver ground school instruction and conduct flight training for initial and recurrent pilot courses covering normal, abnormal and emergency procedures. Act as an operational subject matter expert for customers, giving technical guidance on aircraft performance, flight-related maintenance and operational considerations. Deliver high-standard flight instruction, skill evaluations and pilot assessments in designated aircraft or flight training devices (simulators). Flight and operational safety Prepare pre-flight and post-flight documentation, risk assessments and flight plans before all operations. Document and report significant operational occurrences, safety events or hazards promptly to the Head of Flight Operations and/or the Aviation Safety Manager. Champion an uncompromising safety culture across all flight test and training activities. Ensure all aviation training, operational standards and regulatory safety requirements are met across the Flight Operations team. Maintain operational readiness, personal flying proficiency and completion of all assigned recurrent training programmes. Communication, coordination and travel Take part in policy, planning and cross-departmental meetings to align flight operations with organisational goals. Uphold and enforce Transport Canada regulations, company policies and the Flight Operations Manuals (AH FOM / AHI LFOM). Advise the Head of Flight Operations on training, safety protocols, flight operations and regulatory updates. Interface with clients to promote Airbus training solutions, tailoring programmes beyond standard schedules to meet customer needs. Maintain readiness for short-notice travel across Canada and the USA. Complete all administrative duties accurately and on time, including expense reports, flight test reports and operational documentation. Licences & Qualifications College diploma in aviation or equivalent experience. Transport Canada Commercial Helicopter Licence or higher, with IFR Group 4 and a valid, unrestricted Class 1 medical certificate. An FAA commercial helicopter licence or higher would be an asset. Type rating and experience on any of H125/H130 (EC130), H135 and/or H145 (H135 is highly preferred). A Transport Canada Flight Instructor Rating is preferred. Experience Minimum: 2,000 total helicopter flight hours. 500 hours as pilot in command (PIC). 1,000 hours in turbine-powered helicopters. 100 hours of instrument flight time (IFR). At least 100 flight hours completed within the past 12 months. Demonstrated experience on multi-engine helicopters. Proven flight and ground instruction experience. Post-maintenance flight test experience. Preferred: more than 3,000 total helicopter flight hours, more than 1,000 hours as PIC, more than 500 hours on multi-engine helicopters and more than 400 hours IFR. Night Vision Goggles (NVG) operational experience. Experience with new aircraft deliveries and with OEM training standards is highly valued. Prior flight or operational experience on Airbus helicopter platforms is highly preferred. Requirements Residence in the Niagara vicinity, or a commitment to relocate there, is a mandatory prerequisite. Comprehensive understanding of aircraft systems, flight testing, training methodologies and Transport Canada regulations. Proven ability to work independently with high self-management while integrating into multi-disciplinary teams covering Maintenance, Quality, Completions and Training. Willingness and availability to travel across North America at short notice, with flexibility for weekend, holiday and evolving schedule requirements. Legally authorised to work in Canada and eligible for unhindered travel to and within the United States. Professional English proficiency is required; fluency in French is highly advantageous. Proficient with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace and Learning Management Systems (LMS). Additional Information AHCA is committed to inclusivity, and accommodations can be made available for all applicants except where a bona fide occupational requirement applies. Company: Airbus Helicopters Canada Ltd. Employment type: permanent. Experience level: professional. Job family: Testing. The role requires awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity.

Requirements

• Conduct maintenance flight tests ensuring full compliance with technical manuals, OEM flight manuals, safety standards and Transport Canada regulations.
• Perform rigorous flight testing and troubleshooting to evaluate airframes and onboard systems, identify technical issues and work across departments on effective solutions.
• Support customer deliveries, new helicopter completions (NHC), major alterations and repairs (MAR) and ferry flights as assigned.
• Execute dedicated flight test programmes and Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) compliance flights as assigned.
• Review all relevant technical documentation, flight controls, procedures and historical aircraft logs before test operations.
• Maintain operational proficiency with new or modified avionics, systems, instrumentation and specialised mission equipment.
• Debrief and coordinate post-flight test results with Quality Assurance, Flight Line, Engineering and Flight Operations personnel.
• Partner with Commercial and Marketing teams on customer demonstration flights, static displays and trade show presentations.
• Deliver ground school instruction and conduct flight training for initial and recurrent pilot courses covering normal, abnormal and emergency procedures.
• Act as an operational subject matter expert for customers, giving technical guidance on aircraft performance, flight-related maintenance and operational considerations.
• Deliver high-standard flight instruction, skill evaluations and pilot assessments in designated aircraft or flight training devices (simulators).
• Prepare pre-flight and post-flight documentation, risk assessments and flight plans before all operations.
• Document and report significant operational occurrences, safety events or hazards promptly to the Head of Flight Operations and/or the Aviation Safety Manager.
• Champion an uncompromising safety culture across all flight test and training activities.
• Ensure all aviation training, operational standards and regulatory safety requirements are met across the Flight Operations team.
• Maintain operational readiness, personal flying proficiency and completion of all assigned recurrent training programmes.
• Take part in policy, planning and cross-departmental meetings to align flight operations with organisational goals.
• Uphold and enforce Transport Canada regulations, company policies and the Flight Operations Manuals (AH FOM / AHI LFOM).
• Advise the Head of Flight Operations on training, safety protocols, flight operations and regulatory updates.
• Interface with clients to promote Airbus training solutions, tailoring programmes beyond standard schedules to meet customer needs.
• Maintain readiness for short-notice travel across Canada and the USA.
• Complete all administrative duties accurately and on time, including expense reports, flight test reports and operational documentation.
• College diploma in aviation or equivalent experience.
• Transport Canada Commercial Helicopter Licence or higher, with IFR Group 4 and a valid, unrestricted Class 1 medical certificate.
• An FAA commercial helicopter licence or higher would be an asset.