Start Date: Fall Start (September)
Slip the surly bonds of Earth
Flying has been a dream of yours for years. Why not make a career of it?
You can, with Confederation College’s Aviation - Flight Management advanced diploma program. Your private pilot flight training begins the first week of the first semester right from our hangar at the Thunder Bay International Airport. You’ll also receive training on some of the most advanced simulators available, learning to react to many situations in different weather scenarios.
From your first flight through to your graduation, we give you all the skills you need to land your first aviation job. Our veteran flight instructors at Confederation College’s state-of-the-art Aviation Centre of Excellence (ACE) will give you a solid foundation for a long and successful career.
Top Highlights
- You’re flying in the first semester
- Learn and work in our dedicated Aviation Centre of Excellence (ACE) building, located at the Thunder Bay International Airport
- 13 aircraft
- Three flight simulators
- Industry-based instruction — you learn the skills required to work as a commercial pilot
Upon Graduation
With our guidance and your dedication, you will earn:
- Written private pilot exam: you will write the Transport Canada PPAER at the end of Semester 1, paving the way towards your first license.
- Private Pilot License flight test: you will earn your TC PPL as part of your journey towards a rewarding career.
- Written commercial pilot exam: you will write the TC CPAER at the end of Semester 4, moving closer toward your ultimate goal.
- Written instrument rating exam: you will write the TC INRAT at the end of Semester 4, which you can use to further your flight training.
- Commercial Pilot License flight test: a TC CPL is required by all those who wish to make a career of flying.
- Written two-crew exam: you will write the Transport Canada IATRA at the end of Semester 5, which you will need to work in a two-crew or cruise relief pilot role.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- operate an aircraft independently and proficiently through all phases of the flight as outlined by Transport Canada.
- select and use relevant terminology, technologies, and strategies to communicate effectively with all functional divisions within an aerospace industry, airline, or flight operations.
- implement and participate in a Safety Management System (SMS) to create an industry wide safety culture.
- use Crew Resource Management (CRM), Threat and Error Management (TEM), and Pilot Decision Making (PDM) skills to maintain safe and efficient operations.
- exhibit a professional and ethical attitude towards the pilot profession including a desire to maintain the highest professional standards with a positive attitude towards lifelong learning.
- complete all work in accordance with Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARS), aircraft operating procedures, and company policies and procedures.
- apply operational and administrative initiatives to ensure economic growth and sustainability within the aviation industry.
What to expect
2.5-Year Advanced Diploma – Length of Program
Our target is for students to complete all flight training within 21 months (5 continuous semesters). However, students should be prepared for the possibility that flight training duration may extend up to 2.5 years due to variability in individual flight training progression and the potential for uncontrollable factors.
Who can apply?
Candidates who meet our academic program requirements, are a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident and can hold a Transport Canada Category 1 Medical Certificate are invited to apply. Check the TC website at for an approved examiner in your area.
How do I get started?
https://www.confederationcollege.ca/apply
This program is highly competitive, so it’s important to note a few important dates.
- Early October: access to the online college application becomes available for programs beginning in the following academic year.
- February 1st: apply on or before this date in order to receive equal consideration for admission to programs starting the following fall.
- May 1st: applicants must confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission by this date. Log in to your ontariocolleges.ca account to confirm your offer. Only those who receive an offer will hear from the college.
Highly competitive?
Because our program is subsidized (no extra fess for your flight training), we get quite a bit of interest from potential students. We can receive over *350 applications and will accept between *30 & *60 students, depending on the year. High grades in math, English and physics will help your chances of getting accepted. The lowest grades for the last few years were *85%.
*These figures change from year-to-year and are approximate.
Pre-Technology Technology/Aviation Stream?
https://www.confederationcollege.ca/program/pre-technology-technologyaviation
Whether you’ve been out of school for a while and want a refresher, or you just don’t have all the requirements needed, Pre-Technology can help by allowing you to upgrade your skills and prepare for your future learning.
Where do I live?
Confederation College has housing available for our students. The residences are located at our main campus, about 6.5 km from the ACE.
Check out some things to do in the city.
Our graduates have great success finding employment in northwestern Ontario, as well as major (international) airlines, medevac and charter operations, scheduled services, flight instruction and the Canadian Armed Forces.
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