May
2023

RieiIwamoto_1

Riei Iwamoto

Airline: Air Canada
Crew Position: First Officer
Aircraft: B-787
Domicile: Toronto, Canada (CYYZ)


Where did you do your flight training?

Riei:
Boundary Bay Airport (CZBB), near Vancouver, BC, Canada

How did you get interested in aviation?

Riei:
I have always wanted to become a pilot since I was very young. My oldest memory is of being on my father’s shoulders, crying due to the noise created by five single-engine fighter jets flying a low path with trailing colored smoke. I was only two years old at that time, and I believe my interest in aviation started then.

What airplanes have you flown during your career?

Riei:

  • Cessna 152/172: Instructing
  • Piper Navajo Chieftain PA31-325: Air Taxi
  • Kingair 200: MEDEVAC
  • ATR42/72: Regional flight for cargo and passengers
  • Embraer 175: Air Canada Express (Regional Airline)
  • Airbus 319/320/321: Air Canada 
  • Boeing 787: Air Canada 
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Have you had any mentors throughout the years?

Riei:
I have met many pilots who were already flying commercially when I was a student at flight school, and I received various opinions and advice throughout my career. However, I haven’t had one person mentoring me consistently throughout this journey.

What have been some recent challenges you’ve faced?

Riei:
One of the challenges I’ve faced is carrying on a good conversation on non-aviation related topics in depth with colleagues in the flight deck during long cruises, as English is my second language.  There have been moments sometimes that I wish I had more vocabulary on various topics to express with the details of my opinions or what is in my mind.

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Do you have any future aviation goals you hope to achieve?
 

Riei:

I am currently enjoying where I am at in my career. I am flying for a company I had dreamed of since my first day at flight school, and I am now flying my dream airplane. 

My next goal is to  move to the left seat eventually.  I had the privilege of being a captain during my regional days and I would like to do it again at Air Canada. It could be either, on the narrow body first, or to wait and hope to hold it on the wide body before my retirement. 
What would you say to girls looking to become an airline pilot?
 
Riei:
I would strongly encourage them to give it a go! There are always ways forward, even if you find yourself in an environment that doesn’t seem supportive. Do your research, connect with people who are already in the industry, and you will surely find a path.

What has been your favorite flight or aviation memory?

Riei:
My favorite memory must be my very first flight into Tokyo Narita in Japan, which happened in March 2022. I asked my sister to bring my mother to Narita Airport and have her at the observation deck to see me land the B787. After 20 years since I started flight school, it was an incredibly emotional and the best moment of my entire aviation career.

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What do you feel is a benefit of being an ISA+21 member?
 
Riei:
Connecting with others in the industry is a huge benefit for all of us. Although I’m fairly new to ISA+21, I’m already amazed by the strong support system it provides for all girls in the industry, as well as those who aspire to join in the future.

What has ISA+21 meant to you in your aviation journey?

Riei:
I didn’t learn about ISA+21 until last year. I met Kyoko through a community for Japanese pilots flying overseas, and she introduced me to ISA+21. But even in the small amount of time I’ve been part of ISA+21, I have loved being part of the camaraderie we share.

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