Program: Aviation Business
Department:
Location:
- Thebacha Campus – Fort Smith
Program length: 2 Year Diploma
Start date: September
Credential:
- Diploma
Delivery:
- Full Time
- Part Time
- Classroom
- Field-based Training

Program Description
The Aviation Business Program is intended to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for active flying careers in the aviation industry. Emphasis is placed on helping students develop knowledge and skills that are appropriate for the unique aviation business environment in the NWT. The Aviation Business Program provides students with an opportunity to acquire a two-year Diploma.
The Aviation Business Diploma is composed of two distinct segments. One segment consists of the ground school and flight training component to achieve a Commercial Pilot’s Licence delivered by the Fort Smith based Terry Harrold School of Aviation, or other Transport Canada approved Flight Training Unit. The other segment is relevant business courses delivered by Aurora College. Tuition fees and costs related to obtaining the pilot’s licences are paid directly to the Flight School, and are in addition to Aurora College’s tuition and student fees.
To graduate, students must earn Transport Canada’s Commercial Pilot Licence, plus ten Aurora College courses (30 credits) and a non-credit Wilderness Survival and First-Aid course.
Program Eligibility
Applicants must have a NWT high school diploma (general or advanced), with a minimum mark of 50 per cent in English ELA 30-1 or 30-2, and in Math 30-1 or 30-2. Applicants will be eligible if they have the ALBE equivalents, ALBE English 150 and ALBE Math 150. Applicants needing Math 30-2 should complete the Pre-Business Math course.
Applicants must pass a Class 1 Medical administered by a Transport Canada-approved physician.
Mature students who do not have the required academic background will be considered individually. In the absence of the above listed entrance requirements, the Aurora College academic placement test will be required.
Applicant Assessment
Applicants must complete an Aurora College application form and submit official transcripts (high school and post-secondary). Applicants are encouraged to apply early and submit all required and requested documentation.
Applicants who are currently enrolled in one or more of the required academic courses for admission are encouraged to apply early and provide transcripts that demonstrate that they are currently registered in these courses. Applicants may receive a conditional acceptance that is dependent on their successful completion of the required courses (50 percent or higher). Applicants who are conditionally accepted will be required to provide a final transcript upon completion of the required courses to be fully accepted.
Students who have already completed post-secondary course work in Business Administration or related courses may have transferability into this program. Post-secondary transcripts and course syllabi/outlines will be required for evaluation. Students seeking transfer credit will be required to follow process defined in Aurora College Policy C.01 Transfer Credit.
Personal or telephone interviews with the Program Head or designate are encouraged for all applicants. A one-page letter of intent will be required from applicants.
Program Admission
Applicants will be admitted to the program based on how well they meet the program eligibility requirements and on space availability. Graduates of the UCAP/Business Administration Career Pathway at Aurora College will be given priority in the selection process if they have submitted a complete* application before April 1. Priority consideration for admission will not be considered for applications received on or after April 1. Applications will be processed based on the date that their application is complete**.
* A complete application is one in which all required documentation (ex. application, transcripts, letter of reference) and all requested documentation (ex. additional documentation that supports your eligibility that is requested for your application) is received.
Program Information
The Aviation Business Program is two years in length.
There are five required courses which students typically complete in first year. There are also five electives that students must select and successfully complete from the approximately twenty courses available to earn an Aviation Business Program Diploma.
The Aviation Business Program may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis.
Successful completion of the Program requires hard work, time management skills, organizational skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to deal with stress.
The Aviation Business Program is designed to complement technical flying skill with business knowledge and skills that can facilitate success in the aviation industry. Over time, and in consultation with the northern aviation industry, business course content will be adjusted to better meet the changing needs of the industry and students.
Each of the courses in the Aviation Business Program will be delivered face-to-face at one or more of the three campuses of Aurora College. As well, some or all of the classes will be delivered through video or internet based conferencing to students at the other two campuses and those attending remotely.
Students will therefore receive face-to-face instruction for some of their courses from an instructor in the classroom, while they will receive instruction for other courses through video or internet based conferencing, delivered by instructors on another campus.
Program Objectives
- To provide students with knowledge and skills in the subject areas of the Aviation Business Program.
- To help students prepare for employment in business and government aviation positions in the NWT.
- To provide students with a sound educational base so that they can continue their education after graduating and obtain additional educational or professional credentials.
Completion Requirements
- Students must complete all course assignments. The passing mark for each course will be 50 percent. However, students must maintain a minimum cumulative average of 60 percent in the Aviation Business Program.
- Aviation Business Diploma students must successfully complete the 30 Flight School credits, plus 30 Aurora College Business Course credits, including five required courses and five electives. For the five electives, the student can select from the wide range of business courses offered to tailor their program to their unique interests.
- A non-credit Meteorology course and non-credit Wilderness Survival and First-Aid courses are also available.
Document of Recognition
Aurora College Aviation Business Diploma and Commercial Pilot’s Licence from Terry Harrold School of Aviation, Fort Smith.
Courses in Program
- ACCT 0222 - Automated Accounting
- ABUS 0116 - Aviation Business 1
- ENGL 0104 - Business Communications I
- ENGL 0114 - Business Communications II
- BUSI 0201 - Business Law
- BUSI 0213 - Business Leadership
- MATH 0103 - Business Math
- FLSC 0201 - Commercial Pilot Licence
- BUSI 0212 - Community Economic Development
- FNCE 0225 - Corporate Finance
- ACCT 0105 - Financial Accounting I
- ACCT 0115 - Financial Accounting II
- BUSI 0202 - Human Resource Management
- CMPT 0107 - Information Technology for Business
- BUSI 0106 - Introduction to Business
- BUSI 0204 - Macroeconomics
- BUSI 0205 - Management
- ACCT 0223 - Managerial Accounting I
- ACCT 0224 - Managerial Accounting II
- MRKT 0116 - Marketing
- BUSI 0117 - Microeconomics
- GVMT 0210 - Northern Governance
- BUSI 0113 - Organizational Behaviour (BUSI 0113)
- FNCE 0206 - Personal Finance and Income Tax
- FLSC 0101 - Private Pilot Licence
- BUSI 0255 - Small and Medium Sized Enterprises for Local Economic Development in the Extractive Sector
- BUSI 0211 - Small Business Management
- MATH 0203 - Statistics