Captain Nav Kainth

Captain Nav Kainth

Embraer E190

"Whenever I have the chance, I invite kids to visit the flight deck before or after the flight. I hope some of them get inspired about flying the way I did – it is a demanding but extremely satisfying career."

Nav first flew when he was three years old. This is a photo of Nav en route to London with his grandfather in December 1984.

When I was three, I remember flying with my grandfather from Toronto to London. We visited the flight deck and the Captain gave me a children’s book called Dilbert at Heathrow. Dilbert was a cartoon version of a Boeing 747. I was hooked. I made my Mom read Dilbert to me every night. I still have that book today.

I found an aviation program at a local high school, and after that I enrolled in The University of Western Ontario’s new Commercial Aviation Management program. I had a full university course load as well as 30 hours per week of flight training. It was demanding, but being in an airplane was the most fun I could have had.

When I graduated in 2004, it was extremely difficult finding a flying job. The industry was in the midst of a downturn after the 9/11 attacks. Even experienced pilots were struggling to find jobs. I ended up working in airline customer service and used my flight benefits to travel around Canada begging small operators for a flying job. I then took an entry-level job working the ramp for Perimeter Aviation in Thompson, Manitoba.

Spending $100k on an education only to load bags for minimum wage might seem ludicrous. But in the aviation industry, it’s just how you pay your dues.

Every so often a pilot would leave for a job at a bigger airline. Those working the ramp would backfill those vacant positions. After two years loading bags, my number was called and I started my actual flying career.

I spent just over a year as a First Officer before being promoted to Captain. I moved from Perimeter to Porter Airlines, and then finally landed my dream job at Air Canada in 2011.

A pilot’s life is full of changes and surprises. I really enjoy having a fairly random schedule. I grew up Mississauga, Ontario, but my parents were born in India. My Mom was raised in England, and my Dad spent his twenties working in Greece and Cyprus. Today, our extended family lives all over the world, and I get to see friends and families during layovers in many cities. I do sometimes miss out on events at home, but I knew what I was getting into, and I’m lucky to have such an understanding family.

The challenges of this job never really end. We are evaluated in a simulator every six to eight months, which requires a lot of preparation, studying, and effort on our own time.

Over my 15 years in the industry, there have been many changes, especially regarding security. In the past, pilots had face-to-face contact with passengers. Now we’re behind a locked, bulletproof flight deck door. Whenever I have the chance, I invite kids to visit the flight deck before or after the flight. I hope some of them get inspired about flying the way I did – it is a demanding but extremely satisfying career.

"The challenges of this job never really end. We are evaluated in a simulator every six to eight months, which requires a lot of preparation, studying, and effort on our own time."