Airline and Flight Operations Commercial Pilot (Rotary-Wing Option): Diploma

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British Columbia Institute of Technology

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Applications are submitted externally through the BCIT website.

Intake

Summer

Program Start Date

May
Campuses

Aerospace campus (Richmond/Sea Island)

Resources

Need more information about Richmond?
City of Richmond
Length

57 weeks
Tuition Estimate
(domestic students)

$113,000
Book & Supplies Cost Estimates

$2000 (Terms 1&2); $400 (Term 3)
Credential Granted

Diploma
Learning Method Options
- Face-to-Face
- Off-site

Learning Method Option:

Face-to-Face: Program is fully delivered in class with face-to-face interaction
Online: Program is fully delivered online
Blended (Face-to-Face + Online): Program is delivered using a combination of face-to-face and online learning
Off-site: All or part of program is delivered in a physical location away from regular classroom/campus

Looking for ways to fund your education? Check out BCIT's financial aid and awards page.

Application Deadline Advice

Applications are accepted from June to January.

We recommend that you apply early. All supporting documents must be submitted by the application deadline.

Application Fee: $90 (domestic); $154 (international)

1) Program Admission Requirements

Note:

Transport Canada currently requires proof of vaccination for visitors and workers at many airports in British Columbia. This applies to all students who require access to these airports, including Airline and Flight Operations students who land or obtain fuel at designated airports.

Entrance requirements

Competitive Entry: Two-step process

Preference will be given to applicants with:

Academic grades above the minimum
Requirements completed within the last five years
Related experience*
Additional post-secondary academic courses*

*Applicants with preferred entrance requirements are to submit transcripts and supporting documentation with their online application.

Step 1: Meet the following entrance requirements

English: two years of education in English in an English-speaking country with one of the following:
- English Studies 12 (67%) or
- English First Peoples 12 (67%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- 3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities or social sciences (67%) from a recognized institution or
- BCIT English Trades Entry Assessment (for applicants who have two years of education in an English-speaking country only).
What if I don’t meet these English requirements?

Math: one of the following:
- Pre-Calculus 11 (50%) or
- Foundations of Math 11 (50%) or
- Workplace Math 11 (60%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- BCIT Math Trades Entry Assessment

BCIT Abstract Reasoning Trades Entry Assessment

BCIT Mechanical Reasoning Trades Entry Assessment

Transport Canada Category One or Three Aviation Medical

Valid passport and/or documentation allowing entry into the United States of America is required.

Complete the following form for submission with your online application:
- Mandatory Applicant Questionnaire [PDF]: This form will be used with other entrance requirements in the competitive selection for the program.

Step 2: Requirements for selected applicants

All complete applications will be reviewed by the program and shortlisted applicants will be required to complete the following:

Multiple Mini Interview Process (MMI)

During this process, applicants will be assessed for their suitability for this profession. Final selection into the program will be based on the results of the MMI assessment.

Note: Interviews are usually held the third week of January.

In order to prepare for their interview, applicants are advised to conduct their own research on the profession. Admission is competitive and will be offered to the most qualified applicants.

Recommended for success

It is strongly recommended that all applicants attend an Airline and Flight Operation Information Session prior to applying for this program.
A driver's licence valid in BC is an asset.
A good understanding of MS Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) computer software is highly recommended.
Applicants should also take a familiarization flight at any flying school that offers them.

Validation of previous Private Pilot Licence (PPL) flying time

Candidates that hold a full or partial Private Pilot Licence (PPL) or full Recreational Pilot Permit (RPP) may be eligible for an exemption from a portion of their flying time.

Exemptions from flying time are subject to the following conditions:

You may apply for credit if you have a full and valid PPL, a full RPP, or if you have completed a PPL flight or written test.
Your exemption will be determined for flight training and licensing courses in Term 1 and 2 only.
If granted credit, you will still need to complete a minimum of 20 hours of flight training and a mock flight test with a designated flight test examiner
The maximum flying time you can be credited is 45 hours.

All exemption assessments will be evaluated on an individualized basis by the program selection committee.

International applicants

This program is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.

2) Institution Admission Requirements

Applicants also have to satisfy BCIT's institution admission requirements as listed below.

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English Language Requirements

Review the full English Language Requirements policy here.

There are two ways to meet the English requirement:

1. Complete both of the following:

English 12 or equivalent with the percentage required for your program
For proficiency in reading and writing
Two years of full-time education in English in an English-speaking country
For proficiency in speaking and listening

2. Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening:

Complete courses or assessments including ISEP, PELD, PTE Academic, TOEFL, or IELTS.
Options for demonstrating your English proficiency

English 12 and equivalencies

At BCIT, entrance requirements are program-specific. All programs require English 12, but the percentage required varies by program. Be sure to confirm your program’s specific English requirement before applying.

If you do not meet the requirements, BCIT offers several options to help you upgrade your skills. View more here.

General Admission Requirements (All Students)

The English Language Proficiency requirement for studies at BCIT is detailed here.

Applicants to BCIT are also required to have completed two years of full-time study in a high school or post-secondary program in English in an English-speaking country.

BC Secondary School (or equivalent)

You will need to meet the specific admission requirements of your intended program. Most programs require Grade 12 graduation with specific Grade 11 and 12 courses. Some programs also have non-academic requirements such as submitting a resume or participating in an interview.

For details on BC/Yukon High School credit equivalencies click here.

Review BCIT Entrance Requirements and Application priority .

Out-of-Province

For more information about admission, please review BCIT Entrance requirements and Application priority

BC Transfer Student

For details on how to transfer credits from BC post-secondary institutions to BCIT visit this website.

Out-of-Province Transfer Student

For details on admission with Advanced Placement into BCIT programs, click here .

Mature Student

If you have not graduated from secondary school you may still be admitted to BCIT based on your relevant experience. To gain Mature student status, you must also meet BCIT's English-language requirements as well as any prerequisites for your desired program. Please contact BCIT Admissions to discuss your situation further.

Note: there are several Upgrading options through BCIT.

For other information, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of BCIT's Admissions website.

International Student

For details on applying to BCIT as an International Student check here.

Note: some BCIT programs with a post-secondary entrance requirement will necessitate a comprehensive ICES evaluation for applicants who completed their post-secondary studies outside of Canada, the United States or the United Kingdom. Please review your program’s entrance requirements and contact BCIT Admissions if you have further questions.

Other Student (including Special Consideration)

The Technology Entry Program is for students who want to improve their skills in core areas such as communications, Math, Chemistry or Physics to meet the prerequisites of their intended BCIT Technology Program.

Learn about other BCIT Upgrading options here.

How to Apply

For information on applying to BCIT's programs click here.

BCIT’s application website provide a step-by-step process to help you identify the program that is right for you, find the entrance requirements to your program of choice, prepare your application, submit your application in a timely manner, and track your application status online.

Training in a program like this one can lead to different careers. Related occupations are presented to show potential career options, not definite outcomes.

Follow the links to learn more about these careers on WorkBC's career profiles.

Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors