A Lifelong Love of Aviation

For Zoli, flying was never just a job. It was a dream that began almost as early as he could remember. “I’ve always wanted to be a pilot,” he says. “I remember being five or six years old and playing with airplanes. So, it started there.” 

After high school, Zoli was accepted into an aviation program at Trinity Western College. While training to become a pilot, he also took some academic classes alongside his flying. He finished the program in 1978 and soon began looking for work in the aviation industry.  

Soon after, he began his professional flying career in northern Manitoba. His first role was as a swamper on a de Havilland Otter, where he gained hands on experience in real world conditions. By the following summer, he was trusted with his own aircraft, flying a Cessna. 

Joining Harbour Air 

In March of 1989, Zoli joined Harbour Air. What began as a new opportunity quickly turned into a lifelong career. 37 years later, he is still flying with the company and loving every minute of it. 

Zoli clearly remembers his first day flying with Harbour Air, which began with a flight familiarization test in a Cessna 185. Even then, Harbour Air was already deeply connected to the coastal industries of British Columbia. “The company originally started to support the lumber industry,” Zoli explains. “We flew from our bases to different areas in the Lower Mainland where the logs were stored.” 

Life Flying the Coast

Alongside industry flights, Harbour Air also operated scheduled service along the coast. Some days required serious problem solving. “There were times when you would have a five-stop scheduled route through the Gulf Islands,” Zoli recalls. “You had to figure out how to fit everyone on board. Sort of like a Tetris thing.” Zoli’s personal record was completing a five stop schedule in just an hour and a half. Those busy days highlighted the unique challenges and rewards of coastal flying. Among all his routes, Whistler stands out as his favourite. 

Technology Then and Now 

Over the years, Zoli has seen major changes in aviation technology. The biggest one, he says, has been GPS. Early in his career, navigation meant flying with a paper map on his knee, drawing lines, setting headings, and matching lakes below with what he saw on the map. “Now you can enter a waypoint and it takes you there,” he says. 

Despite the advances, Zoli takes pride in the fact that flying remains one of the few jobs that does not rely entirely on computers. And if needed, he’s confident that he could still navigate the old-fashioned way. Weather information has also improved dramatically. Pilots once relied on limited reports from a few locations, but today's webcams and real time data offer a much clearer picture.

What Makes Seaplane Flying Unique 

When asked what people might not know about seaplane pilots, Zoli highlights the constant decision making involved. “We are always making mini decisions,” he explains. On land, aircraft usually take off and land in one direction. On water, there are often many options. Floatplane flying requires flexibility and careful judgment, making every landing a little different. 

Advice for Future Seaplane Pilots 

For those dreaming of flying seaplanes, Zoli has encouraging advice. While most pilots need to gain experience elsewhere first, Harbour Air offers real opportunities for growth. “We have had people who have risen from being on the dock to being assistant chief pilot,” he says. 

Being willing to relocate early in your career can also open doors. As for Zoli, one of the things he values most is being home every day. “That’s something I am very grateful for.”  

If Zoli could sum up his time at Harbour Air in one word, it would be: “Thankful.” After 37 years at Harbour Air, Zoli’s passion for flying remains as strong as ever, making him a true Harbour Air legend and an inspiration to future pilots.