Information for Aspiring Professional Pilots

Aspiring professional pilots are strongly urged to choose their training program carefully to spend precious training dollars in the right kind of program, to graduate job-ready and to remain competitive down the road applying for airline positions. Recent industry studies and surveys¹ highlight three key points to keep in mind when you choose:

• Pilots are well advised to build college level aviation education into their professional training. The surveys show that many employers in both smaller and larger aviation companies prefer pilots who have at least some higher education. Already 12% of employers surveyed require some college education. This percentage is bound to increase over the coming years as you enter the aviation job market.
  
  
• Employers are looking for applicants with personal and people skills. They want training programs that incorporate training in Pilot Decision Making, Crew Resource Management, Interpersonal communications skills and a good attitude and work ethic.
  
  
• Employers are looking for enriched technical training in the areas that concern commercial pilots, areas such as workplace hazardous materials; de-icing techniques and issues; Cockpit systems management; Global Positioning Systems (GPS); and flight operations issues for small charter operations, such as flight dispatch, duty time, flight planning for charter

¹See especially 2001 Human Resources Study of Commercial Pilots in Canada, administered by the Air Transport Association of Canada, 200, and updated 2004.

Our Value-Added Program and Aviation Business Environment

Our Aviation Certificate Program is designed to spend your dollars most effectively, with a view to employers’ job requirements. Unlike many pilot training programs, our college level courses are accredited by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities so you graduate with the desired educational background. You also acquire the personal and technical skills employers want. And of course our professional pilot training courses are accredited by Transport Canada.

Your can obtain your Commercial Pilot Aviation Certificate on a part-time basis for approximately $35,000 + tax. (For cost details see page 11 and following.) With guidance from our staff, you can then choose the Multi Instrument Rating, the Flight Instructor Rating, or both, to maximize your job-readiness.

You also benefit from exposure to the multi-faceted aviation business environment at Toronto-Buttonville Airport. Businesses and activities on the airport include fixed wing and helicopter flight training, charter, specialty air operations, scheduled airline services, aircraft maintenance, fuelling, de-icing and hospitality services to hundreds of based and visiting aircraft.

The contacts and networks you will start building in this environment are very important to your future in the aviation business. Students and graduates may also gain valuable experience and contacts working in our Dispatch, Line Service, Million-Air and Prop Shop.

Acquiring a Flight Instructor rating will dramatically increase employability upon graduation. Toronto Airways is one of the largest employers of Flight Instructors in Canada. TAL guarantees job interviews to Flight Instructor graduates of this program who show competence and professionalism during the program and particularly in the Instructor Rating course.

About the Seneca College/Toronto Airways Partnership

Seneca College has trained over 850 pilots for the aviation industry in Canada. Its 3 year Aviation Flight Technology Diploma Program is recognized as a premier professional pilot training program, and a number of its experienced staff lend their expertise to this Fast Track Aviation Certificate Program. Students in this program enjoy access to all of Seneca's services.

Toronto Airways Limited (TAL)has been training recreational and professional pilots since 1963. TAL owns and operates Toronto Buttonville Municipal Airport. Toronto Airways, along with its sister school Canadian Flight Academy in Oshawa, has a fleet of 45 aircraft. Basic Flight Training will be conducted on Cessna 150 and 172 aircraft with advanced training on twin engine Seminole aircraft. Ground instrument procedures training utilizes Transport Canada approved Flight Training devices. Our facility and Druxy’s coffee shop in the terminal at Toronto-Buttonville Airport are open to the public for you to visit seven days a week.

Both partners are accredited by Transport Canada and are active members of the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC).

Academic classes are offered at the airport in Seneca’s Buttonville Campus state-of-the-art classrooms. Flight preparation sessions are held in Toronto Airways’ modern briefing rooms and classrooms. Our airport is easily accessible from anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area. The airport offers complete Air Traffic Control Services including instrument approaches, a control tower and 24 hour flight service and weather facilities. Our training area is only minutes of flight time from the airport, an important consideration for training at city airports.

Industry Demand and Career Paths for Pilots

Now is the time to start gaining the necessary qualifications and experience. Industry forecasts indicate a significant increase in the demand for commercial pilots, especially those with some post-secondary education. Global air traffic growth and upcoming “aging boomer” retirements in airlines mean that many more experienced pilots will be needed.

Many graduates will initially find employment as flight instructors and then proceed to small charter operations after using this apprenticeship period to hone their basic skills. The next step towards the major airlines is often a regional airline position. Pilots should expect to spend three to five years in these positions before aspiring to the major airlines. Other opportunities for seasoned professionals include positions in corporate charter, government, and flight training administration.

Admission Requirements

The pre-requisites for admission to this program are:

• OSSD at or above the General Level including Grade 12 Mathematics and English OR mature student status (19 years or older)
• A basic understanding of computer technology
• Proof of a Transport Canada Category 1 Medical Certificate*
• Medicals can be booked at our airport Medical Centre. Book through our Dispatch (905) 477 8110.

Special Notes about Industry Requirements and Policies

• A security check will be required for access to many airports.
• Some employers may screen for drug and alcohol use.
• You are advised to obtain higher education to keep up with the industry trend in this direction
• Some airlines have vision requirements higher than the Transport Canada standard. They may also have height and weight restrictions. You will need to research the individual airline policy.

The Aviation Certificate Program

You will take your 10 academic courses at Seneca Buttonville Campus. For more detailed descriptions of Seneca College courses, consult the Seneca College Part Time Calendar and look in the Technology Section for the Aviation Certificate Program. Or go to the Seneca College website, Faculty of Continuing Education/Technology section: http://www.senecac.on.ca/parttime/main.html. Courses beginning with AVI are Seneca College academic courses.

Courses beginning with TAL are Toronto Airways Limited flight preparation and training courses. You will

Scheduling of Academic Classes

Courses begin each semester (September, January, and May). Each Seneca academic course is one evening a week, from 6.30pm to 9.30 pm, for 14 weeks. Classes are scheduled Monday through Thursday. Not all courses are offered each semester.

The first Seneca academic course you enroll in should be AVI 100, which is scheduled once a week for 14 weeks. At your discretion you may enroll concurrently in one or two other academic courses for a limit of three if you can manage the time for studying and also completing doing some flying.

Plan to take one to two academic courses per semester.

The ten academic courses necessary to complete the Commercial Aviation Certificate are:

• AVI 100 Aeronautics
• AVI 110 Meteorology
• AVI 120 Pilot Navigation (prerequisite)
• AVI 130 Instrument Procedures I
• AVI 140 Instruments & Avionics
• AVI 150 Basic Aircraft Systems
• AVI 160 Human Factors
• AVI 170 Airport Design
• AVI 180 Economics
• AVI 190 Computer Systems

All courses are 42 hours in length, one night a week at the Seneca-Buttonville Campus.

Plan to consult on the order in which you take the remaining 5 courses to qualify for the Commercial Aviation Certificate.

Scheduling of Flight Training

You may begin flying at any time. You will need to fly a minimum of 200 hours to obtain a commercial pilot licence. (See the last two pages for details on flying hours.) Flying schedules can be tailored to your convenience. You can schedule flights seven days a week at Toronto Airways. Keep in mind that the initial 65 hours of flight training (TAL 2) must take place during daylight hours.
If you have not already started flying when you enroll in AVI 100, you should also enroll in at Toronto Airways to begin your flying. You can tailor your flying schedule to suit your personal convenience, with the following conditions:

• Plan to complete a minimum of 10 flight hours during your first course, AVI 100.
• Plan to complete 65 hours of flying before enrolling in your fourth academic course, or get special permission to continue in the academic courses.

Budget approximately $43,000.00 + applicable taxes to obtain the Commercial Pilot Aviation Certificate on a part-time schedule. For more detailed information on estimated costs, see the last section of this document.

For More Information

To arrange a phone or in-person consultation please call or email to: John Davis, Toronto Airways Program Director, (905) 477 8100. 

To Apply

Contact  John Davis Toronto Airways Program Director, for complete details on how to apply, and an appointment to talk about the program if desired. You will be asked to complete a Class I aviation medical as soon as possible if you have not already done so.

Students will register separately at Seneca College for their academic courses. Seneca College will require proof of academic prerequisites. Questions about Seneca courses should be directed to: Norma Columbus, Technology Coordinator, (416) 491 5050 x2515.

Security Checks

Prospective students should note that you will need to be able to pass an airport security check to work at airports. You will also need to be eligible to cross the border to the USA.

Notes on Costs

1. Toronto Airways Limited does not require you to deposit large sums for flight training in advance. This policy protects you from borrowing and paying interest on large amounts before you will be using them.
   
   
2. A substantial portion of the cost is tax deductible.
   
   
3. All payments are plus applicable taxes
   
   
4. Costs may vary slightly from those listed below, since hours flown and numbers of  courses taken may vary somewhat from student to student. However, costs provide reasonable estimates of how to budget for the certificate.
   
   
5. While every effort will be made to minimize price increases, we cannot control increases in costs such as fuel and insurance. Therefore, prices are subject to change during the programs.
   
   
6. Prices for some of the items you will require (books, pilot supplies, and flight testing and licensing fees) are set by third parties such as aviation suppliers and Transport Canada, and may change at their discretion. They are included as guidelines for your budgeting convenience. Flight kits, headsets and other pilot supplies are available at the airport Prop Shop.

Please be sure to review the notes about these costs on the previous page.

As of July 1st, 2010, HST where applicable

Advanced Training Options, Instructor, Multi-IFR and Float Ratings,

Airline and most charter pilots need the multi-IFR option. Airline candidates are strongly urged to choose the Instructor Rating as well, even if they do not intend to make a career of instructing. This choice helps you to obtain a job where you can build up your own hours towards the Airline Transport Licence (1500 hours required) while helping other candidate become pilots.

Most other pilot careers require at least one of the three advanced training options. Bush pilots will require the float rating. You will consult with flight training staff during your private and commercial training to determine the best options for you.

Option 1 Multi Engine and Multi-Instrument Ratings

Completion of this segment will round out the candidate's background skill and knowledge. It will provide the basic tools required for employment as a multi-engine, instrument rated pilot in the air carrier environment after acquisition of further flight experience. Students who also wish to complete the Flight Instructor rating will be able to do so.

Option 2, Instructor Rating

You may proceed directly to the Instructor Rating on completion of the Commercial Licence. On completion of Option 2, the candidate will have acquired a Transport Canada Class IV Instructor Rating as well as further training in the business of aviation and human factors in aviation. Employment as an instructor offers the opportunity to acquire further experience and polish skills in the teaching environment. Most instructors will also use this period of their careers to acquire their Instrument Ratings.

Option 3 - Float/Bush Pilot/Outfitter Training

If you choose the Float/Bush Pilot Career path you will need a float rating. You can discuss ways to obtain this rating with Toronto Airways staff.

As of July 1st, 2010, HST where applicable