Commercial Flight and Aviation Leadership
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Program Overview
Commercial Flight and Aviation Leadership is a three-year Ontario college advanced diploma program for students interested in becoming a pilot or manager in the airline industry. In addition to flying, students will study a variety of aviation oriented courses centred around flying operations, the aviation industry, human factors, leadership, ethics and more. Students will train on flight simulators and log approximately 205 hours of flight training in the simulator and aircraft. Take your career to the skies with Fanshawe's Commercial Flight program!
Program Details
Program Code
CFA1
Credential:
Ontario College Advanced Diploma
Duration
90 weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2026 January
London - Airport
Open
2026 January
London - Airport
Open
2024 September
London - Airport
Closed
2025 January
London - Airport
Closed
2025 September
London - Airport
Waitlisted
2025 September
London - Airport
Waitlisted
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2025 September
London - Airport
Open
2025 September
London - Airport
Open
2026 January
London - Airport
Open
2026 January
London - Airport
Open
2024 September
London - Airport
Closed
2025 January
London - Airport
Closed
Your Learning Experience
Note: English language requirements for CFA1 will be changing effective September 2024. The new admission requirement will be 7.0 IELTS (or equivalent) which is up from a 6.0 IELTS requirement.
Become a leader in the booming aviation industry. Industry dictates that there will be 804,000 global aviation jobs by 2038 and this three-year advanced diploma will provide you with a strong background to take a leadership position.
Study safety management systems, Canadian air regulations, flight operations and logistics and airline operations, all while completing a Fixed-wing Canadian Private and Commercial Pilot license with Multi Engine and Instrument Ratings.
- Learn to fly in new aircraft;
- Gain experience in the classroom, hangar and in the cockpit;
- Train on modern flight simulators.
Collaboration with Diamond Flight Centre London Inc.
This three-year Commercial Flight and Aviation Leadership Advanced Diploma is designed to prepare domestic and international students for a career in aviation.
The program includes training in the following areas:
- Safety management systems
- Canadian Aviation Regulations
- Flight operations
- Professional standards and practices
In this program, students have the option to complete a Canadian Private and Commercial Pilot license including night, multi-engine and instrument ratings. Graduates will be able to seek opportunities in aviation flight operations and business ventures as well as professional flight positions.
Flight training will be delivered by Diamond Flight Centre London Inc., located at the London International Airport. Completion of flight training is not required for graduation from the Advanced Diploma program.
NOTE: Most of your academic courses will take place in the evenings with flight training typically taking place during the day, three times per week. Your flying schedule is based around your academic schedule.
The tuition and fees for this program are calculated in two parts: academic (Fanshawe) and flight training (DFC London).
The Fanshawe costs are eligible for OSAP funding, however, the flight training costs are not.
| Fanshawe Tuition - Domestic Students | Fanshawe Tuition - International Students | Flight Training Cost - DFC London |
PROGRAM PROGRESSIONS
Fall Intake
| Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|
| Start Level 1 | Level 2 | Break |
| Level 3 | Level 4 | Break |
| Level 5 | Level 6 |
Winter Intake
| Winter | Summer | Fall |
|---|---|---|
| Start Level 1 | Level 2 | Break |
| Level 3 | Level 4 | Break |
| Level 5 | Level 6 |
Learning Outcomes
- Select and use relevant terminology, technologies, and strategies to communicate effectively with all functional divisions within an aerospace industry, airline, or flight operation;
- Solve problems and contribute to decision-making processes to support aviation operations by recognizing airport and aircraft component and system characteristics and interpreting aeronautics, navigation, and meteorology concepts and data;
- Select and implement Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM) techniques to meet the needs of a commercial multi-crew operational environment;
- Develop flight plans to address a range of mission conditions;
- Select and implement risk management strategies to support the safe and secure operation of an aircraft, airline, or flight organization;
- Implement and participate in a Safety Management System (SMS) program to meet regulatory requirements;
- Formulate and implement leadership, management, and team building strategies for corporate/business to contribute to a positive work environment;
- Plan, implement, and evaluate projects by applying project management principles to support the operation and management of a business from requirements and financial perspectives;
- Investigate and monitor relevant trends, emerging technologies, and local and global issues to enhance work performance and guide decision-making;
- Develop and use strategies for ongoing professional development to remain current with industry changes, enhance work performance, and explore career opportunities;
- Perform all work in compliance with Transport Canada commercial pilot proficiency standards and regulations relating to flight preparation, professional conduct, uniform, and on-time performance.
Academic School
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent,
or a mature
applicant with a minimum final grade of 65 in each
of the following courses:
- Grade 12 English (C or U)
- Grade 12 Math (C or U)
Students who do not meet the admission requirements are
recommended for academic
upgrading. A conditional offer may be possible with proof of
enrolment. Alternatively, applicants may choose to do the
one-year Pre-Technology
preparatory program that provides all the admission
requirements for this program (minimum grades of 65%
required).
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
| TEST | SCORE |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 92 (22 writing, 26 speaking, 20 reading and 20 listening) |
| IELTS Academic | Overall score of 7.0. 6.5 in reading and listening and a score of 7.0 in writing and speaking |
| CAEL | A score of 70 in writing, reading, and speaking, and a score of 80 in listening. |
| PTE Academic | 65 |
| Cambridge English | Overall score of 185 with no language skill less than 176 and a score of 185 in listening |
| ESL4/GAP5 | Minimum grade of 80% in Level 10 |
| Duolingo | Not accepted |
Recommended Academic Preparation
Recommended Academic Preparation
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 Physics (C) or (U)
- Additional Grade 12 Mathematics (C) or (U)
Applicant Selection Criteria
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:- Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
- Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
- Achievement in the Admission Requirements
- Admission to the Fanshawe College Pre-Technology program does not guarantee admission in a subsequent year to the Commercial Flight and Aviation Leadership program. Successful completion of the Fanshawe College Pre-Technology program, however, does enable the student to be given additional consideration when applying to the Commercial Flight and Aviation Leadership program. The Pre-Technology program is the preferred designated preparatory program for admission to the Commercial Flight and Aviation Leadership program.
Post-Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
The following items are applicable to the program and are time
sensitive:
1. Transport Canada Class 1 medical exam
- Required prior to first class
- In accordance with Transport Canada's requirements
- Students cannot proceed to flight training without proof of application to receive medical exam
2. Ontario Colleges Math Test
- Required prior to first class
- Completion of the Ontario Colleges math test
Courses
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| WRIT-1032 | Reason & Writing Business 1 | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce business students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| MATH-1224 | Math for Aviation | 3 | ||
| This course in fundamental aviation mathematics is designed to be completed without the use of a calculator. It is expected that students have a solid grasp of basic arithmetic operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as concepts like fractions, ratios, proportions, and percentages. In addition to these foundational mathematical skills, the course will cover specific topics relevant to aviation. These aviation-related topics include techniques for converting units of speed, distance, and time; practical rules of thumb like the 1 in 60 Rule and the relationships between knots and nautical miles; methods for calculating descent rates; and determining the speed of headwinds, tailwinds, and crosswinds. Other areas of focus encompass understanding pressure and density altitude; utilizing the speed, distance, and time formula; interpreting and interpolating performance charts; and performing weight and balance calculations. This course places a strong emphasis on the application of mathematical principles to real-world scenarios encountered during flight planning. By working through a variety of math-based problems, students will develop the skills necessary to effectively solve problems and make informed decisions when planning flights | ||||
| LAWS-1085 | Pre-Solo Air Law & Regulations | 3 | ||
| The Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and radio phraseology are introduced in this course. Students will complete the Transport Canada pre-solo written exam and the requirements for the Industry Canada restricted radio operator certificate. Regulations and radio phraseology will be applied to operating the aircraft. Theory and concepts will be applied to the aircraft being flown. The knowledge acquired will be applied to flight maneuvers and operational flying | ||||
| AVIA-1080 | Airframes & Engines | 2.5 | ||
| This course provides an overview, functionality, and applicability of varied power plants and structures used in general and commercial aviation. In this course, students study weight and balance, power distribution and management, and aircraft performance and stresses as specific applied topics. | ||||
| AVIA-1082 | Flight Principles 1 | 6 | ||
| This course introduces the curriculum required for the private pilot licence, including air law, navigation, meteorology, and general aviation knowledge. The course aids in the preparation to write the Transport Canada exam for the private pilot licence. Theory and concepts will be applied to the aircraft being flown. The knowledge acquired will be applied to flight maneuvers and operational flying. | ||||
| SPKG-1023 | Aviation English Language Support | 4 | ||
| In this course, students who are non-native speakers of English will improve the speaking and listening skills which are critical to the aviation industry. Students will learn communicative strategies essential to maintaining an operational rating or achieving the expert proficiency necessary to have success with the formal aviation language proficiency demonstration, the aviation program, and future employment. | ||||
Tuition Summary
London - Airport (Fanshawe Costs)
*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.