Seneca College — inside the world of aviation

Briana Ear - The Seneca Aviation Program

What is Seneca Aviation

Seneca Aviation allows students to be equipped with industry leading experience and knowledge through emphasizing real world readiness and adaptability in the ever evolving world of aviation. The facilities sport 6 top of the line simulators including a CRJ regional jet, King air, and two Cessna simulators with immersive surround screen systems to provide the utmost immersion for students. Their impressive aviation fleet also holds 19 well maintained aircrafts primarily composed of Cessna 172s and Beechcraft Barons allowing students a progressive flight training experience. The Seneca Aviation School strives to provide students with technology that closely mirrors commercial airline procedures, allowing them to stand out from graduates of schools such as Waterloo and many private training schools.

Academics

A typical entrance grade averages around high 80s to low 90s with a minimum conditional acceptance at 65% although due to rigor retention is far lower. Core prerequisites include Math, English and Physics. The school itself provides a heavy academic workload which is coupled with an inconsistent and variable flight schedule. Flight blocks which often start before 6 AM simulate the strain of the commercial airline industry, allowing students to practice key fundamentals such as self management, punctuality, and resilience. These factors can result in high attrition rates and retention struggles due to a demanding pace and self directed workload.

Training Philosophy

Most classroom instructions are concentrated into 1-2 day weeks which allows for ample flight training time. Students typically must complete flight prep before dawn, followed by in-air instructions and simulator sessions. Manual flying is emphasized in smaller aircrafts while auto-pilot is gradually introduced, providing preparation for larger aircraft systems. The school stresses the development of skills such as adaptability, time management, tolerance and procedural accuracy. Government subsidies and student loans hope to lower the barriers for qualified applicants, allowing accessibility to programs for people from a variety of backgrounds.

Career Pathways

A standard progression in the industry involves employment as a flight instructor for 6 to 12 months to gradually build a foundation of 750 flight hours. This is generally proceeded by work for  regional or charter airlines as a bush flyer or transporting small cargo. Eventually pilots can hope to graduate to major carriers which come with the requirement of additional certification and aircraft type ratings. With a recent increase in demand for pilots, one graduate was capable of advancing to Jazz Airlines within 3 months of beginning instructing. Recruiters hold Seneca to and their graduates to a high standard due to their strong familiarity with airline protocols such as boarding, reducing transition times.

Future Of The Industry

While training aircrafts are generally piloted manually to reinforce the student’s skill, in larger aircrafts, auto pilot is generally engaged aside from landing and taking off. Over the years, the industry has faced a steady increase in automation, both in aviation and navigation systems. Despite this, there remains a persistent need for human oversight and expertise to be capable of handling high pressure situations and thoroughly understanding the technology of the industry. To adjust for this Seneca utilizes a frequently evolving curriculum to emphasize technical literacy and system management.

Student Experience

Peer mentorship is available through upperclassmen with Ear noting the substantial effect mentoring initiatives have on both retention and recruitment to the program. While regulatory restraints on flight internships results in most hands-on exposure being found in-house, the school still provides students with strong experiences and understanding of the profession. However, managing the irregular schedules and keeping a balanced study/flight hour schedule can give students a challenge. Ear suggests developing strong math and physics foundations early as well as gaining initial exposure through discovery flights and aviation events, and stresses the importance of prioritizing interpersonal skills, as networking can play a decisive role in job placement.

Conclusion

Seneca Aviation programs remain a benchmark in Canada’s hands-on airline oriented training. The program strives to supply workforce ready graduates, who are well equipped for a constantly evolving industry. Continued mentorship and education gives graduates a strong support system which allows them to excel and continue to sustain an elite reputation. Their goal of giving students the tools to understand not only the fundamentals of aviation but also the unique protocols of the industry allow Seneca graduates to seamlessly integrate into their workplace, giving them an edge in the demanding job market. For high school students interested in an aviation focused career, Seneca Aviation provides an in-depth and top of the line education allowing students to succeed at the pinnacle of the industry.