In 2024, Select Aviation College is celebrating not only another successful year in aviation training, but also a major milestone: our 10th anniversary!
To mark this special occasion, we are proud to unveil our 10th anniversary logo. This symbol embodies our commitment to excellence and our passion for training future pilots, which have guided our journey over the past decade.
We’d like to express our gratitude to our incredible community – student pilots, flight instructors and partners – everyone who has flown with us and made this journey possible. Join us in celebrating a decade dedicated to training tomorrow’s pilots.
An Overview of the Past 10 Years at the College
Select Aviation College took off from a modest start, originally established in the basement of Drummondville airport’s CSC3 aerodrome terminal. This marked the beginning of our journey filled with significant milestones along the way:
- Our first international student, Jean-Baptiste Carré, earned his Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) in 2015 and now serves as the College’s Vice President of Operations.
- Another important member of our current team, our Chief Flight Instructor Maxime Delage-Damon, was one of our first five pilots to graduate.
- In 2016, the College expanded by moving to Hangar #10, which was transformed by major renovations and the addition of a 3-axis motorized REDBIRD flight simulator, enhancing our aviation training capabilities.
- By July 2017, Select Aviation College obtained its permit from Quebec’s Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur, officially becoming a designated private learning institution awarding three Attestations of College Studies (ACS) leading to Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPL).
In 2018, Transport Canada authorized Select Aviation College to offer the Integrated Air Transport Pilot college program leading to the Integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Integrated ATPL), positioning us among the top flight training institutions in Canada. That same year, the College enriched its pedagogical experience with the purchase of a state-of-the-art ALSIM ALX flight simulator, enabling multi-crew cooperation (MCC) training.
Commitment and Resilience: Advancing Pilot Training in Canada
The journey of Select Aviation College has not been without its challenges. In June 2017, the College community was deeply saddened by the loss of helicopter chief flight instructor Philippe Landes in a motorcycle accident. In his memory, the College established a $90,000 aviation scholarship fund. This scholarship supports exceptional student pilots in their pursuit of aviation excellence and honors Philippe’s legacy of passion and dedication to flight training. One such recipient, Ms. Laurie Marin, joined our team as Director of Studies and Registrar, exemplifying the resilience and commitment that define our community.
In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Select Aviation College contributed to the development of a sanitary protocol in collaboration with the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) and the Association québécoise du transport aérien (AQTA). Adopted in May 2020, this protocol enabled all Canadian flight training centres to safely maintain their operations. The same year, demonstrating a commitment to cutting-edge technology the College invested in a twin-engine Piper PA-44 Seminole 2020 aircraft equipped with a 100% digital instrument panel.
Growth and Strategic Partnerships at Select Aviation College
In January 2021, the College inaugurated a flight school in Gatineau, which became its new head office in June 2022 following the closure of the Drummondville campus. Meanwhile, the city of Gatineau completed major work at the Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport, including new taxiways and a brand-new building housing six classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology, an investment of over $13 million.
As a leading Canadian flight school, Select Aviation College is dedicated to forging strategic partnerships. In January 2024, the College partnered with Porter Airlines, qualifying for its Destination Porter mentoring program, thereby enhancing our pilot training offerings.
Building a Community of Future Pilots in Gatineau
Select Aviation College actively invests in its student pilots and aims to hire as many of its graduates as possible for key positions within the organization. This approach values talent within the school, but also ensures continuity and a deep understanding of our College’s core values and objectives. By offering career opportunities to alumni, the College strengthens its commitment to their professional and personal success.
The College also encourages student participation in extracurricular activities and benefits from their active involvement in several committees:
- The Green Council has been instrumental in earning the College the Cégep Vert du Québec certification from ENvironnement JEUnesse for our strong commitment to environmental protection and the École Bleue certification from Eau Secours for our efforts in advocating for sustainable water policies and equitable access as part of the Blue Communities Project. Lastly, in April 2024, Select Aviation College was selected to participate in the Vélovolt Outaouais program. As part of that program, electric bikes and scooters were loaned to our employees and student pilots over a period of two to four weeks, effectively conveying the message that active transportation is healthier, greener and much cheaper!
- Fostering a safety culture remains our top priority, and our Safety Committee plays a crucial role in maintaining high standards. Tasked with overseeing the safety of the College’s air navigation services and training programs, the committee monitors and evaluates our risk management policies to ensure their effectiveness. Comprising both student pilots and staff, the committee organizes seminars several times a year to promote safety awareness within the school.
A Vision for the Future of Aviation Training in Quebec
Our flight school currently welcomes over 250 student pilots each year from around the world and continues to grow by remaining at the forefront of innovation and excellence in pilot training. In addition to its educational mission, Select Aviation now offers helicopter charter flights, as well as a range of touristic services such as helicopter tours over the National Capital Region, introduction to piloting experiences, and customized private flights.
Select Aviation College has established a strong track record and eagerly anticipates the ongoing success of its graduates, who are now flying for several major airlines, both in Canada and internationally. Our dedication to training airplane and helicopter pilots and fostering skills in bush flying remains unchanged since day one, and we hope to continue training tomorrow’s pilots for decades to come with the same passion.
Join us as we continue this exciting journey and explore new heights in aviation training. For more information about our programs and offerings, learn more on our website or contact us today!
