Virgil’s aviation career began with a childhood dream of becoming a pilot. Long before he was working around the aircraft, he was fascinated by airplanes and imagined himself one day sitting in the cockpit.
In 2022, that childhood dream took a significant step forward when Virgil was accepted into the Atik Mason Indigenous Pilot Pathway program. The opportunity gave him a chance to begin turning his passion into a career. But becoming a pilot would take more than flight training; it would take experience, patience, and a willingness to learn every part of the operation.
Each summer, Virgil focused on his flight training. During the winter, he worked as a Ramp Agent with Perimeter Aviation. He says, “It gave me an opportunity to learn the operational side of aviation while continuing to work towards my goal in becoming a professional pilot.”
Working on the ramp also allowed Virgil to see the coordination, communication, and attention to safety required to keep operations moving. His journey eventually led him to his current role as a Northern Station Agent, where he continues to build his aviation experience while working toward becoming a professional pilot.
For Virgil, choosing Perimeter Aviation was an easy decision.
“I chose Perimeter because it’s the company I’ve always wanted to fly for,” he says.
Growing up in a northern Indigenous community, Virgil understands firsthand how important reliable air transportation is to northern communities. “Aviation connects families, delivers essential supplies, and provides access to health care and other vital services,” he says.
That personal connection gave Virgil a strong sense of purpose in his role. Today, as a Northern Station Agent, Virgil has gained an even broader perspective of the operation.
When asked his favourite part of the job, Virgil says, “My favourite part of being a northern station agent is that I get to work alongside people who care about safety and serving northern communities.”
Being part of the Northern Station team has also shown Virgil just how many moving parts are involved in every flight. “Being a part of the team has shown me how every department works together to keep flights moving safely and reliably,” he adds.
Virgil’s advice to anyone considering a career in aviation is simple: stay curious, take every opportunity to learn, and value every role along the way. Your first step may not look like the destination you imagined, but every experience can bring you closer.
Now, Virgil is preparing to take the next step in his aviation career. After working his way through different roles and gaining valuable experience on the ground, he is excited to begin training as a First Officer with Perimeter Aviation.
“I’m excited to now be taking the next step in my career as I prepare to begin training as a First Officer with Perimeter,” he says. “I wouldn’t have done it without all the support I’ve received along the way.”
From dreaming about airplanes as a child, to working on the ramp, serving northern communities as a Station Agent, and now preparing to take his place in the cockpit, Virgil’s journey is a reminder that careers are built one experience at a time.
His story shows that you do not have to start at the destination to know where you are going. Stay curious, learn from every opportunity, take pride in every role, and keep moving toward your goal. Sometimes, the path to the flight deck starts on the ground.
If you’re interested in following a similar path, visit our careers page to explore current opportunities.
