EDMONTON -- Searchers are looking for a light plane that went missing after taking off from a small airport west of Edmonton.

The Royal Canadian Air Force says the Cessna 172 took off from Edson, Alta., on Sunday afternoon heading for nearby Westlock but did not arrive.

The pilot did not report for work on Monday.

The air force says military and civilian aircraft are searching the route between Edson and Westlock for any signs of the plane.

People who were between the two communities on Saturday are also being asked if they spotted a small plane between 4:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.

Rob Dunham, a friend of the pilot, identified the missing man as Scott Schneider, who was flying with his dog.

"If there was ever a person who could make it through a situation like this, it would be Scott," Dunham said Tuesday.

"He's very much an optimist and a very determined guy."

It's not clear if weather was a factor in the plane's disappearance, but there was some fog and rain along the flight path.

A preliminary Transport Canada report says the missing Cessna was built in 1956 and is owned by the W.S. Bar Cattle Company Ltd.