Domestic students
TBD
Commercial Helicopter Pilot Certificate
Program at a glance
Credential
Certificate Certificates are short programs focused on specific skills or subjects. They are a fast and flexible way to start a new career, upgrade your qualifications or gain professional recognition.
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
1 year
Program codes
- Code: HELI
Cost
TBD Domestic students:
Location
- Kelowna Full program offered in Kelowna
Available for
- Domestic students
Program features
TBD
Program overview
About the program
The Commercial Helicopter Pilot Certificate at Okanagan College is a 30-credit program designed for those seeking a dynamic career in the helicopter industry. Students complete 15 academic credits through Okanagan College, developing strong foundations in business, communication, and aviation-related studies that complement their technical flight skills. The remaining 15 credits are earned through flight training with any Transport Canada–approved helicopter training provider, giving students flexibility to select the school that best fits their goals. This combination of academic learning and professional flight experience prepares graduates to enter the workforce with both the practical expertise and business insight needed to excel as commercial helicopter pilots.
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 Helicopter Certificate which gives you the business skills you need to grow your career.
The Commercial Helicopter Certificate consists of two separate areas of study: aviation and flight training courses, and academic courses. The Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence is completed through any Transport Canada certified flight training provider and accepted by Okanagan College towards the Commercial Helicopter Pilot Certificate. The academic portion of the program is completed at Okanagan College and consists of five 3-credit courses which can be taken before, during or after the Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence.
By blending commercial helicopter pilot training skills with business administration skills, graduates will enter the industry with more advanced education than that of a general pilot and be prepared to advance their professionalism within future career positions.
Admission and program requirements
Regular Applicants
- B.C. secondary school graduation (or equivalent).
- English 12 or alternatives.
- Math requirement:
- 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
- A minimum of 50% in any of:
- 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.
Tuition and fees
-
Check if this program is student loan eligible. View Financial Aid and Awards
-
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.
-
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.
-
All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
Program details
Notes:
Semester 1
Semester 2
Required Academic Courses
Complete at least 5 of the following:
BUAD 111 - Financial Accounting I
BUAD 116 - Marketing
BUAD 123 - Management Principles
BUAD 201 - Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
BUAD 251 - Personal Financial Planning
BUAD 262 - Organizational Behaviour
CMNS 112 - Professional Writing I
MATH 114 - Business Mathematics
Substitute courses may be pre-approved by the department as appropriate.
In addition to the required courses, students must obtain a Transport Canada Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence from a Transport Canada certified flight training provider.