Commercial Aviation Diploma

Please note, students entering the September intake must have their Private Pilot’s License. Those entering the program in January do not require their Private Pilot’s License until September. This admission requirement can be satisfied by taking the required private pilot’s training courses and labs (AVIA 104, 105, 106, 107).

The Commercial Aviation Diploma (CAD) program is for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in commercial aviation. The program provides students with university-­level business competencies as well as Transport Canada commercial aviation licensing requirements. Graduates are qualified to be employed as pilots with charter companies, regional carriers and private corporations, and upon attaining sufficient flying hours, will also have job opportunities with major airline companies. Graduates may also find employment in other aviation-related careers.

The Commercial Aviation diploma program consists of two distinct and separate areas of study - aviation and flight training courses, and university-level academic courses. The flight training is taught at the Southern Interior Flight Centre facility located at the Kelowna International Airport and consists of Transport Canada-prescribed flight training, simulator training, aviation theory and exams. The academic portion of the program is completed at Okanagan College and consists of eight 3-credit courses taken as part of this program.

The Commercial Aviation program is made available through a co-operative partnership between Okanagan College and the Southern Interior Flight Centre (1993) Ltd. The academic portion offered by Okanagan College is subject to normal Okanagan College regulations and tuition fees. The aviation and flight training portion is offered by Southern Interior Flight Centre and is not subject to Okanagan College control and regulations, although all tuition fees for academic courses and flight training are paid to Okanagan College. Okanagan College will maintain records of the student's flight training achievements as provided by Southern Interior Flight Centre on the official Okanagan College transcript.

Fees (subject to change): Students with an approved Canadian Private Pilot's Licence can expect to pay approximately $59,000 for tuition and flight training fees. Students without an approved Canadian Private Pilot's Licence can expect to pay an additional fee. Tuition fees for the flying portion are dependent upon the number of hours required to complete the flying and training requirements. These hours will vary according to the skill level of individual students. Please note that students who book an aircraft, simulator or instructor are responsible for related charges and cancellation penalties will apply. Fuel costs will be reimbursed to students at the Kelowna fuel rate set by Southern Interior Flight Centre. Costs above this rate are the student's responsibility.

Student Dress and Survival Equipment: Students will be required to wear the prescribed clothing for commercial pilots and should anticipate the costs of purchasing and maintaining their clothing. Prescribed clothing consists of: black pants, socks, dress shoes, and tie plus a white "pilot" shirt. Students should anticipate preparing and maintaining their own personal survival pack to be carried on cross-country flights.

Course Registration Requirements: Aviation courses must be taken in the prescribed order and must be taken in concurrent blocks each semester as shown in the program outline below. All semesters must be taken contiguously (with allowance for summer break). Students unable to meet this requirement must withdraw from the program.

Career Opportunities: include pilots with charter companies, regional carriers and private corporations as well as additional job opportunities with major airline companies. 

Admission Requirements

• B.C. secondary school graduation (or its equivalent), or mature student status.
• English 12 with minimum 60% or alternatives.
• Students graduating from secondary school in or prior to 2012: Principles of Mathematics 11, or an equivalent Advanced Level Adult Basic Education mathematics course; or a minimum grade of 70% in Introductory Mathematics 11; or a minimum grade of 60% in Applications of Mathematics 11.
• Students entering Grade 10 in or after 2010 and/or completing the new mathematics curriculum: A minimum of 60% in one of Pre-calculus Grade 11, Foundations of Mathematics Grade 11, or Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics Grade 11, Workplace Mathematics 11, or the equivalent Advanced Level Adult Basic Education mathematics course.
• Category 1 Aviation Medical.
• Letter of recommendation from the Southern Interior Flight Centre indicating successful completion of a personal interview, aptitude test, and proof of financial ability.

NOTE: Canadian private pilot training is included in the program and requires a minimum of two semesters of full-time attendance. Students must complete the Canadian Private Pilot Licence prior to continuing in the program. Students with a Canadian Private Pilot's licence at admission, with approval of Southern Interior Flight Centre, may be granted exemptions from the private pilots training courses and labs -AVIA 104, AVIA 105, AVIA 106, and AVIA 107. Contact the flying school for details.

Program Outline

Graduation Requirements

Successful completion of the required courses as listed in the program outline with a minimum graduating grade average of 60% and a letter from Southern Interior Flight Centre indicating satisfactory completion of aviation theory courses, Transport Canada Commercial Pilot Licence, a Multi-Engine Instrument rating, and the IATRA written exam.