Abbotsford BC – The sky’s the limit for grade 12 students starting next February, when Abbotsford School District launches its Aviation Ground School Course. Developed and administered through the district’s Career Programs department, the new course will be offered by Coastal Pacific Aviation at Abbotsford Airport. This ‘tuition-free’ course is Transport Canada approved – and a UFV recognized course – that pilots must have in order to obtain their license. The AV-100 Ground School theory is provided for individuals who are interested in obtaining their private pilot’s license and/or those interested in gaining knowledge in a career in aviation. Although not offered as part of this course, flight training is available for graduates of the program, as well as ‘preferred entry’ into Coastal Pacific’s and UFV’s Aviation programs.
“This course will allow students to maximize opportunities for future career development in aerospace while still in high school,” says Board of Education Chair Cindy Schafer. “Our district strives to align educational outcomes with career opportunities through our Career Programs. It is the kind of course we continue to develop as part of our district strategic plan, especially around flexible access to programs and services.”
“An additional benefit for participants in the district Aviation Ground School Course is the surging aviation demand felt in both local and international markets,” notes Patricia Tebbutt, District Principal of Career Programs. “Recent reports have noted that according to Boeing, airline fleet expansion around the world will drive what it calls an ‘exponential increase’ in demand for pilots and mechanics over the next 20 years. Boeing predicts a record need for an additional 533,000 airline pilots and 584,000 maintenance technicians to meet global aviation requirements.”
Benefits of the Aviation Ground School course for students include: High school course credits, Coastal Pacific course credit, Transport Canada Private Pilot Training Record and preferred entry into Coastal Pacific’s and UFV’s Aviation programs. Upon successful completion of the course students with 70% or more will earn the student a recommendation to write the Transport Canada Private Pilot License – Aeroplane (PPAER) exam provided they have completed 10 hours of flight training. This will also provide an additional two-credits at UFV. Future plans include development of a work experience component in the aerospace industry. Coastal Pacific is currently working with aviation industry partners to provide this opportunity to students in the Abbotsford School District.
Classes will be held at Coastal Pacific Aviation after school, two nights per week (2.5hrs each class) for a total of 20 weeks over semester. Further can be found at http://careers.sd34.bc.ca
