Aviation Diploma

Your take-off to a career as a professional pilot

Sky Wings Aviation Academy Ltd. of Red Deer, Alberta, offers more than just Pilot Training.

Today's airline pilot must possess business and managerial skills in addition to a superior level of flying skills. Airlines expect their pilot candidates to have completed College or University training in fields of Business, Commerce or Science.

Benefits that you will receive from the Sky Wings Aviation Diploma Program:

• A tour of an Air Traffic Control Centre
• Cross country trip (in aircraft) crossing Canadian/US Border
• Low Level Navigation Competition (for up to $500.00  scholarship)
• Group aircraft tours
• Crew Resource Management
• Familiarization training (regional or national carrier)
• First Aid Certificate
• Survival Training

(Availability restrictions may apply.)

The Aviation Diploma Program is a cooperative credited program of Red Deer College and Sky Wings Aviation Academy Ltd.

Topics on this page:

The Potential Job Market
Admission Requirements & Fee Structures
General Program Description
Program Curriculum
An Introduction to Red Deer College
A Brief Look at Central Alberta & the City of Red Deer
Application Form

The Potential Job Market

The International Air Transport Association says that 65% of the world's airline captains will retire during the next decade.

You can be a part of this process once you have gained the required education and total flying hours.

Transport Canada has minimum requirements each pilot must meet for licensing standards. Sky Wings Aviation goes one better! Recognizing that hours alone don't fit the need, our programs are laid out with customized instruction and experience to help you see where your niche may be.

Operation Job Find

Sky Wings Aviation Academy has developed a revolutionary program in assisting our graduates to find employment opportunities. Our Operation Job Find is designed to help our graduates turn opportunities into reality. We believe that the success of our students makes our industry stronger.

Sky Wings graduates are employed by such places as:

... and at Sky Wings Aviation, we hire approximately 10 - 15% of our graduates each year.

Admission Requirements & Fee Structures

A. Academics

Successful completion of high school including the following courses or their equivalent. If you are unsure if your transcript will meet requirement, please contact us by telephone or fax.

• Mathematics 30 or 33
• English 30 or 33
• Accounting and Computer experience is recommended
• Physics is an asset, but not required
• Mathematics 31 is also recommended

B. Medical Fitness

Candidates must be cleared to Commercial Pilot Medical Standards (Category I ) by a Ministry of Transport Doctor. (Where to get your medical in Alberta). Call us for a list of specified Doctors in your area.

C. Private Pilot's License

Applicants without a Private Pilot's License may be conditionally accepted into the program subject to being in possession of a medical at the time of registration. Sky Wings Aviation offers an accelerated six week private pilot course during the months of July and August. You may also enter the private pilot course in September, subject to space availability.

D. Fee Structure

Fees will vary for individual students, however, an approximate figure of $35,000 for the two years may be used for planning purposes. Students will be required to make a deposit of $500 to hold position upon registration, and a payment of $3000 prior to the commencement of each semester. Subsequent course costs are payable mid-way through the term. Maximum funding available from Alberta Student Loans to qualified applicants is currently $4,400 per semester. Out-of-province students may be eligible through their respective provincial Student Finance Boards.

E. How to Apply

Application forms are available at Sky Wings Aviation Academy. Since, for practical reasons, each class is limited to 25 students, you are advised to complete and return the application form with the $50 non-refundable fee as soon as possible. Applications should be submitted by April 1st for September enrollment, by August 30th for classes starting in January. Late applications will be accepted only as space permits. (Faxed applications are acceptable and fee may be paid by credit card)

F. Duration of Program

The Aviation Diploma program includes 2 semesters in each of two years. Each semester is fifteen weeks long. The academic part of the program will take approximately half the student's time, and the flying theory and flight instruction part of the program will take the other half of his/her time. The program can be structured for the individual and an accelerated flight curriculum can be arranged (contact the program coordinator at Sky Wings for assistance).

General Program Description

Red Deer College have designed an Aviation Diploma Program that has been preparing pilots for the aviation industry for almost a decade. This two-year course of studies enables the student to earn a certificate in Business Management while obtaining an Aviation Diploma. In the highly competitive world of Commercial Aviation, the Aviation Diploma is an excellent means of meeting most airlines' educational and flying requirements.

Program Curriculum

Private Pilot Course or by direct entry into the professional pilot program.

Semester	Courses*
Preparatory as Required**	Flight training to obtain Private Pilot License Typing Courses from list below may be taken during this preparation stage.
Semester 1	Bus 358 Acct 102 Geog 231 Aviation 101 Aviation 102: Flight Training
Semester 2	Bus Adm 132 Bus 303 Acct 103 Aviation 201 Aviation 202: Flight Training
Semester 3	Electronics Comm 250 Econ 201 Aviation 301 Aviation 302 or 303: Flight Training
Semester 4	Bus Option Bus Adm 110 Econ 202 Aviation 401 Aviation 402: Flight Training

* Some courses may be subject to change.
**NOTE: Preparatory term is necessary only for those candidates who need to obtain their Private Pilot License, or require upgrading of academic prerequisites.

An Introduction to Red Deer College

Red Deer College was established in 1964 and has developed into one of the premier community colleges in Canada. It offers more than 70 academic programs that attract students from throughout Canada and many foreign countries.

The Red Deer College campus is located on the western outskirts of the city of Red Deer, Alberta, (see location maps) and includes classrooms, residences, sports facilities and a 600-seat theatre. The student population is approximately 5000, many of whom live in apartments, suites or townhouses within walking distance of the campus.

Red Deer College provides high quality academics that are critical to the credibility of the Aviation Diploma Program. Most courses are University transferable, which gives you the ability to move up in your chosen career.

A Brief Look at Central Alberta & the City of Red Deer

(see location maps). Large cattle ranches and enormous grain fields are dotted with oil and gas wells and laced with clear-running rivers and mountain fresh streams.

The City of Red Deer with a population of over 85,000, supports a variety of light industry and offers many shopping outlets for its residents and surrounding communities. Thanks to some superior long range planning, this city boasts an enviable collection of parks, campsites, bike paths, cross country ski trails and golf courses. To the east, on the steep banks of the Red Deer River lies a popular ski area. The south side of the city is home to a 5,000-seat arena and convention centre. A 100 acre wilderness centre is located on the north edge of the city.

Red Deer College lies on the western outskirts. The Red Deer Industrial Airport is a short ten minute country drive from the Red Deer College campus (see location maps).