Domestic students
TBD
Commercial Aviation Diploma
Program at a glance
Credential
Diploma Diplomas offer practical, career-focused training and are usually completed in one to two years. They help you gain technical and workplace skills that are in demand across many industries.
Delivery mode
On-campus All classes take place in-person at one of our campuses.
Time commitment
Full-Time You take a regular course load and move through the program at the standard pace. Expect to study most weekdays.
Duration
2 years
Program codes
- Code: AVIA
Cost
TBD Domestic students: 2025-2026: TBA - Additional for those without a PPL (Private Pilot License)
Location
- Kelowna Full program offered in Kelowna
- Vernon, Penticton or Salmon arm Partial program offered in Vernon, Penticton and Salmon arm
Available for
- Domestic students
Program features
TBD
Program overview
About the program
The Commercial Aviation Diploma at Okanagan College is a 60-credit program designed to prepare students for exciting careers in the aviation industry by combining academic business foundations with professional flight training. Students complete 30 academic credits through Okanagan College, gaining essential knowledge in areas such as management, accounting, economics, and communications. The remaining 30 credits are earned through flight training completed with any Transport Canada–approved provider, allowing students flexibility to choose the training school that best meets their needs. This balanced approach ensures graduates are equipped with both the technical skills to fly and the business acumen to succeed in aviation management, operations, and related fields.
Okanagan College is proud to partner with Southern Interior Flight Centre as our preferred flight training partner. The Mission of Southern Interior Flight Centre is Flight Training built on excellence in student/staff experience, instruction and safety.
Successful pilots and business professionals share many qualities. They excel in communication, create strategic plans for success, evaluate situations, and anticipate changes. Elevate your passion for aviation with Okanagan College's Commercial Aviation Diploma (CAD) which gives you the business skills you need to grow your career.
The Commercial Aviation Diploma (CAD) consists of two separate areas of study: aviation and flight training courses, and academic courses. The Commercial Pilot Licence is completed through any Transport Canada certified flight training provider and accepted by Okanagan College towards the Commercial Aviation Diploma. Note that a Private Pilot Licence is a prerequisite to the Commercial Pilot Licence. The academic portion of the program is completed at Okanagan College and consists of ten 3-credit courses which can be taken before, during or after the Commercial Pilot Licence.
Graduates are employed as pilots with charter companies, regional carriers and private corporations. Their business administration skills can open doors to roles like airport administrator or operations manager and upon attaining sufficient flying hours, graduates will also have pilot job opportunities with major airline companies.
Admission and program requirements
Regular Applicants
- B.C. secondary school graduation (or equivalent).
- English 12 or alternatives.
- Math requirement:
- A minimum of 50% in any of:
- Pre-calculus Grade 11
- Foundations of Mathematics Grade 11
- Principles of Mathematics 11
- Applications of Mathematics 11
- Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics Grade 11
- Apprenticeship Mathematics 11
- Adult Basic Education MATH 011
- Adult Basic Education MATH 080
- Adult Basic Education MATH 084 and MATH 085
- Adult Basic Education IALG 011
- Or a minimum score of 16/25 on the Okanagan College Mathematics Diagnostic Test.
Mature Applicants
- Mature applicants are at least 19 years of age and have been out of full-time secondary study for at least one year.
- Secondary graduation will be waived for mature applicants.
- Mature applicants must meet the English and Mathematics requirements.
Qualifying status:
- Applicants who have not satisfied the specific English and/or math entrance requirements may be granted admission to and be allowed to remain enrolled in the business program as qualifying students subject to the availability of space after the admission and registration of qualified applicants.
- Qualifying students may concurrently register in a maximum of three first-year business courses, any three for which they satisfy the prerequisites.
- Qualifying first-year business students will not be considered to be continuing students and will, therefore, be allowed to continue in the program after the qualifying year only if all outstanding course entrance requirements have been successfully completed.
Program requirements:
- A personal laptop is required. See the program for computer specifications.
All of the academic credits (50% of the program) must be completed through OC.
Schedule and campus options
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Start date
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Location
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Delivery mode
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Application status
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|---|---|---|---|
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Sep. 2026
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Vernon
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On-campus
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Open
|
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Note: While the Commercial Aviation programs are primarily based at the Kelowna campus, students may begin their studies at our Penticton, Vernon, or Salmon Arm campuses. These regional locations offer several 100-level courses, allowing students to complete up to 75% of the program requirements before transitioning to Kelowna for the remaining components.
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|||
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Sep. 2026
|
Penticton
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On-campus
|
Open
|
|
Note: While the Commercial Aviation programs are primarily based at the Kelowna campus, students may begin their studies at our Penticton, Vernon, or Salmon Arm campuses. These regional locations offer several 100-level courses, allowing students to complete up to 75% of the program requirements before transitioning to Kelowna for the remaining components.
|
|||
|
Sep. 2026
|
Salmon Arm
|
On-campus
|
Open
|
|
Note: While the Commercial Aviation programs are primarily based at the Kelowna campus, students may begin their studies at our Penticton, Vernon, or Salmon Arm campuses. These regional locations offer several 100-level courses, allowing students to complete up to 75% of the program requirements before transitioning to Kelowna for the remaining components.
|
|||
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Sep. 2026
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Kelowna
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On-campus
|
Open
|
|
Jan. 2027
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Kelowna
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On-campus
|
Open
|
Tuition and fees
- Domestic students: 2025-2026: TBA - Additional for those without a PPL (Private Pilot License)
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Check if this program is student loan eligible. View Financial Aid and Awards
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Tuition and fees for the flight portion of the Commercial Aviation program are set by the flight training provider and paid directly to that organization. Please reach out to your selected provider for information.
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Tuition for Business Administration courses at Okanagan College are additional.
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These fees above do not include fees and costs included but not limited to Activity fee, Health & Dental, Student Association fee, Education Technology fee, Development fee, as well as books or other classroom materials.
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All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
Program details
Program Outline
Required Academic Courses
Complete All of the following:
Notes
As well as the required courses above, students select 2 additional BUAD courses as electives.
Substitute courses may be pre-approved by the department as appropriate.
In addition to the required and elective courses, students must obtain a Transport Canada Commercial Pilot Licence from a Transport Canada certified flight training provider.