TO THE SKIES
- MHC offering aviation program starting this fall
Medicine Hat College is offering an aviation program starting in the 2019-2020 school year.
The program, which is a partnership with Super T Aviation Academy, will allow students to get an Aviation Management Certificate.
Dennis Beaudoin, MHC’s dean of trades and technologies, says the school was approached by Super T about the prospect of starting a flight program.
“They’re going to take care of all the in-flight training — the mechanics of flying the airplane — and we’re going to go in and provide all the academic backbone to the program itself, such as business classes and some trade math,” Beaudoin said, adding that advanced meteorology, aeronautics and geography will also be on the syllabus.
The in-flight portion of the program will take about 18 months, he added.
Terri Super, the president and CEO of Super T, says it’s crucial for students to get both the academic and practical education for aviation.
“We’re more than ready to launch aviation careers with years of experience, a fleet of aircraft, and state-of-the-art flight simulators. It is a natural step for us to connect with MHC to offer enhanced academic background to our students,” said Super.
According to a news release from the college, Super T already has two students undergoing aviation training and MHC has received nine applications for September.
“A unique aspect of our program is the ability for students to begin with no flight experience at all,” Super says. “This offers us the ability to build strong, professional skills and attitudes from day one.”
Students who graduate from Super T have preferred access to aviation careers via West Jet’s Flightpath program.