Summit Helicopters is seeking an experienced and safety-focused Chief Pilot to provide operational leadership and oversight for our CARs 702 and 703 operations. Reporting to the Director of Flight Operations, the Chief Pilot is responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance, standardization, pilot training, flight crew management, and operational excellence across IFR and VFR helicopter operations.
This leadership role is based in Kamloops, BC and includes oversight of pilot qualifications, scheduling, operational standards, and flight operations activities. The successful candidate will also actively support flight operations and may act on behalf of the Director of Flight Operations during periods of absence.
Essential Responsibilities - Provide leadership, supervision, and professional oversight to all flight crew members through Fleet Chief Pilots
- Ensure pilot qualifications, training, PPCs, medicals, and recency requirements remain compliant with Transport Canada regulations and company standards
- Act as the primary liaison with Transport Canada regarding flight crew management and operational compliance
- Participate in Transport Canada audits, client audits, inspections, and surveillance activities
- Oversee pilot training programs including initial, recurrent, upgrade, transition, simulator, and line training
- Coordinate pilot scheduling, training events, rotations, and staffing requirements while ensuring compliance with fatigue management and regulatory limitations
- Support operational standardization, mentoring, line checks, and flight crew development initiatives
- Assist with recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and retention of flight crew members
- Support budgeting, staffing, operational planning, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Maintain operational proficiency and actively fly company aircraft when required
- Act on behalf of the Director of Flight Operations during periods of absence as delegated
Qualifications - Valid Airline Transport Pilot Licence - Helicopter (ATPL-H)
- Valid Instrument Rating
- Type rating on at least one helicopter type operated by the company
- Minimum 500 hours of helicopter pilot-in-command time, with at least 250 hours acquired within the previous 3 years
- Previous Chief Pilot or senior flight operations leadership experience preferred
- Strong working knowledge of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), company operations manuals, SOPs, and training programs
- Experience working with Transport Canada and regulatory compliance requirements
- Bell 412/429 or EC135 type ratings considered an asset
- NVG experience, training, and/or checking experience considered an asset
- Knowledge of client operational standards such as BARS, Contrail, and IOGP considered an asset
- Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and decision-making skills
- Collaborative and professional approach with crews, management, regulators, and clients
- Commitment to safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement
- Must meet Transport Canada requirements for the Chief Pilot position
Work Conditions- Based in Kamloops, British Columbia
- Combination of office, classroom, simulator, aircraft, and field environments
- Sedentary work when not flying, with occasional physical activity including loading and fueling aircraft
- Regular use of computers, aviation software, and helicopters
- Travel required approximately 30% of the time
Additional InformationSummit Helicopters, a member of the Ledcor Group of Companies, delivers helicopter aviation solutions with one of the largest and most diverse fleets in the industry. Learn more at www.summithelicopters.ca
Our competitive total rewards package provides compensation and benefits that support your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. We offer exciting, challenging work with opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge.
