Alumni Profile: Jessica James

Alumni Profile Jessica James Harbour Air, First Officer

Feature Article Editor's note: Many thanks to VFC alumna Jessica James for taking time out of her busy schedule to share where she has gone with her career after VFC.

Current position: I’m a First Officer, on the Twin Otter, DHC-6 with Harbour Air Seaplanes.

Daily work life: I start my day by doing a daily inspection on the plane, then I check the weather. Our schedule throughout the day changes due to scheduling needs, but usually in the fall/winter months we do 4-6 legs and in the spring/summer months we do 6-8 legs. On the Twin, we fly back and forth between downtown Victoria and Vancouver. In the summer months sometimes we get to do charters.

How did you get into aviation? Starting from a very young age I’ve always been very fortunate enough to be surrounded by aviation. I grew up on Nimpo Lake, B.C. which at the time was the float plane capital of the province. With my Dad being a pilot and my Mom learning the ropes as co-pilot, my first flight was at eight months old. Being surrounded by bush pilots, I’m lucky enough to say I grew up with it.

Why did you choose this career path? My mom is a big advocate for school. As soon as I graduated from high school, she told me I had to do something. Without knowing what I wanted to do career-wise, I started my private as I knew I always wanted to at least get my private.

14 MARCH 2020 Once I finished I never looked back and knew I wanted to continue on with my commercial training.

What is it like working for a smaller airline? I thoroughly enjoy working for a small airline because I get to know the majority of everyone at the company I work for. It just feels like one big family rather than just being an employee with a number. Everyone is very helpful, they want you to succeed, and it feels like family.

What is your favourite part of working as a pilot? Every day is different, you get to see and experience some beautiful places, and there are so many opportunities it can take you.

What opportunities are there in aviation that people aren’t aware of? When you are first getting your licence, you only think of being an instructor, airlines, or flying up north, or at least I did. Flying commercially now, I’ve realized there are so many cool things you can do with your licence: overseas

contracts, medevac, executive jets and those are only a few to name.

What is the biggest challenge for women in aviation? Honestly, I think it starts with questions like this. I’m not naïve and I know it will take years to come, but I hope for a future where people don’t have to “check in” with females to see how the industry treats us. I hope for our future aviators we are just seen as pilots male or female.

What advice would you give to a woman who is interested in aviation?

You might have to work a little harder at times which can be hard to swallow at first, but it will be worth it in the long run. Promise.

Favourite quote? Perseverance is the secret to success.

Favourite past teacher? Laura Van Buskirk.

I am most inspired by? Always trying to do my best and being happy.

Images: Left to right:: 1: on route to Green Lake/Whistler. 2: In front of one of the Twin Otter's at Harbour Air. 3: Me & BJ in the Air North B737 cockpit. BJ is a First Officer there. 4 & 7: Flying to Whistler. 5: 2nd photo-flying into Victoria Inner Harbour. 6: On Green Lake. 8: Doing weight and balance.