Industry Support

Students in the Aviation Operations programs benefit from industry support through field trips (such as the field trip with AeroMag below), guest speakers, practicum opportunities and guest lecturers/instructors with current industry expertise. Theory supported by industry experiences are some of the best indicators of the support our program receives from industry.

 


Craig Richmond, CEO of the Vancouver Airport Authority, was the keynote speaker at the graduation of Airport Operations Class 19 in February of 2015:
     

BC Aviation Council 
The BC Aviation Council awarded the BCIT Aerospace Campus with the Robert S. Day Trophy in 2013.  This prestigious trophy  is awarded annually in recognition of outstanding excellence, contribution and leadership of an individual or organization for the promotion and development of aviation in British Columbia, in keeping with the objectives of the BCAC.

Program Advisory Committees

BCIT’s Airport Operations and Airline/Flight Operations programs are fortunate to have close ties with the aviation industry through business and aviation industry partners and supporters.

We believe that these two aviation programs must align with - and fulfill - the employers’ needs for competent, high-performing employees who enter the workforce with a combination of technological expertise and fundamental job-success skills.

Of course, aviation industry employers also have a vested interest in ensuring that the education provided through the Airport Operations and Airline/Flight Operations programs continues to meet their current and future needs.  This confluence of interests is the basis of our Program Advisory Committees.

The Program Advisory Committee, or PAC,  provides an effective and dynamic link between the aviation industry and BCIT’s AVOPS program. The PAC is comprised of experienced representatives from aviation industry employers, partners and alumni. The PAC role is to advise, assist, support and advocate for the respective program. To fulfill this role, each PAC provides guidance and advice on such issues as emerging trends in technology, environment, areas of growth and potential recruitment. They also fulfill a liaison role by providing a conduit to their respective organizations. For example, the Airport Operations PAC assists the program by helping the Chief Instructor to secure practicum placements and mentors for current students, and both PACs help to secure scholarships for current students and placements for graduates.

Each PAC meets with the Associate Dean of Aerospace (Gordon Turner) and the Chief Instructor at least twice, and often more frequently, throughout the year to discuss current issues. For example, at the most recent PAC meetings in June, the up-coming program reviews were discussed as one furthertool used to gather feedback that will help to keep the programs on track to meet the needs of the key stakeholders - current students, alumni and the aviation industry.

Aviation Operations at BCIT is indeed fortunate to have such committed and expert members on our Program Advisory Committees:

Airport Operations PAC: John Buckle (Chair) General Manager Vancouver Airport South; Jamie Roche, Airport Operations alumni and Superintendent Cranbrook airport; John Buckle, Superintendent YVR Airport South; Carol Liber, Training Consultant with Marquise; Keith Leung, Airport Operations alumni and Project and Planning Technician with Kamloops Airport; Raman Bindra, Airport Operations alumni and Airport Duty Officer with Abbotsford International Airport; Ray Poirier, Director Safety and Security with Grande Prairie Airport; Cuyler Green, Director of Operations with Prince George Airport Authority; and Mark Coates, Senior Manager Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Authority.

Airline and Flight Operations
PAC
Airline and Flight Operations PAC: Blair Nadeau (Chair), Director Business Development, Aeroinfo Systems; Glenn Oerzen, Manager Line Operations, Air Canada; Tim Kingston, Captain B737, West Jet; Clark Duimel, Chief Flight Instructor, Pacific Flying Club; Pat Kennedy, Chief Operating Officer, Pacific Flying Club; John Milligan, Superintendent, Safety Oversight Ops, Transport Canada.

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