NOC 72600: Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
Air pilots fly fixed wing aircraft and helicopters to provide air transportation and other services such as crop spraying and aerial surveying. Flight engineers assist air pilots with monitoring, troubleshooting and maintenance of aircraft systems and with pre- and post-flight inspections. Flying instructors teach flying techniques and procedures to student and licensed pilots. Air pilots, flight engineers and flight instructors are employed by airline and air freight companies, flying schools and by other public and private sector aircraft operators.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
NOC 72600 (Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors) is a TEER 2 occupation, so it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It is on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 2: +40 CRS for 12+ months of Canadian work, or 70 for a job offer. It is eligible for Transport category draws.
TEER
TEER 2
Skilled for Express Entry
High-wage
Level 2
+40 work · 70 job offer
Category draws
Transport
IRCC 2026 lists
| NOC 2021 code | 72600 |
|---|---|
| Title | Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors |
| Broad category | Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations |
| TEER | TEER 2 — usually requires a college diploma or apprenticeship of 2+ years, or supervisory roles |
Category-based draws
- Transport Occupations, 2026-Version 2 — have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 12 months of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience) — this experience does not need to be continuous (in a single occupation listed in the table below (no matter your primary occupation); in Canada or abroad).
CRS points for this occupation
Under the Labour Market Integration factor, IRCC gives you the higher of: your Canadian work-length points plus 40 for 12+ months of qualifying work in a Level 2 occupation, or 70 points for a valid job offer in it. How job offer points work.
Example job titles
- air pilot
- captain - air transport
- check pilot
- chief flying instructor
- chief pilot
- co-pilot
- flight engineer
- flying instructor
Main duties
- Air pilots
- Conduct pre-flight inspection of aircraft and check passenger and cargo distribution to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met
- Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air-traffic control, inform crew members of flight and test procedures and direct activities of aircraft crew during flights
- Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions and other information
- Conduct in-flight tests and monitor functioning of aircraft equipment and systems during flights, maintain communications with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters and respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions
- Prepare flight evaluation reports
- Train pilots to use new equipment, or prepare them for examinations to revalidate or upgrade existing licences
- May fly new or experimental planes to examine their flight performance and safety
Your duties should match the lead statement and most of the main duties to use this NOC — check the full profile on the official NOC site.
Related occupations
- NOC 72601 — Air traffic controllers and related occupations
- NOC 72602 — Deck officers, water transport
- NOC 72603 — Engineer officers, water transport
- NOC 72604 — Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
- NOC 72010 — Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
- NOC 72011 — Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- NOC 72012 — Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
- NOC 72013 — Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
- NOC 72014 — Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
- NOC 72020 — Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
← NOC 72501 Water well drillers · NOC 72601 Air traffic controllers and related occupations →
Calculate your CRS score → · All NOC codes · High-wage list
TEER 2 also matters for work permits: see the spousal open work permit (TEER rules for spouses of workers), LMIA explained and the Atlantic Immigration Program (job offers in TEER 0–4).
Sources: Statistics Canada NOC 2021 V1.0; IRCC high-wage occupations; IRCC category-based selection; IRCC who can apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is NOC 72600 eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 72600 is a TEER 2 occupation. IRCC counts work in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations as skilled work experience for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, as long as all other program requirements are met.
Is NOC 72600 a high-wage occupation?+
Yes. It's on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 2. From November 3, 2026, 12+ months of qualifying Canadian work in it adds 40 CRS points, or a valid job offer in it is worth 70 points (whichever is higher).
Which Express Entry category draws include NOC 72600?+
As published by IRCC: Transport Occupations, 2026-Version 2. Candidates generally need have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 12 months of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience) — this experience does not need to be continuous.