Nangmalik Qanatsiaq has set the flight path for his career in the cockpit of a plane.

SA国际影视传媒淚 feel calm. I feel at peace, like ISA国际影视传媒檓 actually doing what ISA国际影视传媒檝e dreamed of my whole life, so it brings me a sense of pride and accomplishment,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Qanatsiaq, an Arviat resident, is enrolled at HarvSA国际影视传媒檚 Air flight school in Steinbach, Man.

He started his training in early January.

He sent an application to the school last July and received an acceptance letter a week later. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a good time to be getting into the industry, he said, because itSA国际影视传媒檚 gearing up again after a couple of years of drastic cutbacks due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition to getting a plane airborne and safely landing it again, Qanatsiaq and his classmates are learning about the parts of the aircraft and basic maintenance, the use of panel instruments, the theory of flight and meteorology.

Weather, including visibility or lack thereof, can present a life-or-death factor in deciding whether to attempt a trip.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou have to understand what your limits are and have a SA国际影视传媒榞o or no goSA国际影视传媒� position to fly,SA国际影视传媒� he said of the focus on safety.

Find more stories on NWT and Nunavut students advancing their education in the Degrees of Success 2022, available online here:

QanatsiaqSA国际影视传媒檚 initial flights in the two-seater Cessna 152 trainer are with an instructor at his side, performing stalls and spins at an altitude of close to 600 metres. Solo flights will come later.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 feeling a lot more confident than I did at the beginning,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

His fascination with flying has existed as long as he can remember.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 been my childhood dream to become a pilot,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淓very time we went down south for trips, ISA国际影视传媒檝e always been interested in flying.SA国际影视传媒�

His ability to his follow his passion was made easier through financial support from the Kivalliq Inuit Association and the territorial governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) program.

Having lived in Nunavut essentially all of his life, adjusting to the south has been made easier by residing in Steinbach with its SA国际影视传媒渟mall-town vibe,SA国际影视传媒� said Qanatsiaq.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 almost similar to a community in Nunavut. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a little bit bigger,SA国际影视传媒� he said of the town of almost 18,000 residents.

It will take a year for Qanatsiaq to achieve his requisite ratings and his pilotSA国际影视传媒檚 licence. In the meantime, heSA国际影视传媒檒l get a two-week break in the summer to return home to visit family and friends.

When his training is complete, he aspires to fly in Nunavut for an airline or piloting medevac flights.

SA国际影视传媒淲hichever opportunity is open,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding that he hopes to inspire others to consider the same career path. SA国际影视传媒淣ot a lot of Inuit are in the aviation business.SA国际影视传媒�