Aviation program taking off at North Surrey Secondary

Surrey Schools is launching the new Exploration in Aviation careers program this spring, teaching students about different career opportunities in the industry, beyond just flying the friendly skies.

Starting in February, the district will host the program out of North Surrey Secondary, with 24 students taking courses in aircraft maintenance and engineering, airport operations/management, flight operations and skills exploration, as well as taking part in a work experience.

“The intention is to give the students a broad exposure to the aviation industry so perhaps they might see something they’re more interested in,” said Arnel Aliwalas, a technology education teacher at North Surrey Secondary who will teach the program. “Some people decide to become a pilot, but halfway through, decide to become a mechanic, and through this program, they can have more doors open up for them.”

Aliwalas has an extensive background in aviation as a training officer for the 819 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron and tactical helicopter pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force, as well as having worked as a commercial helicopter pilot.

The program is run in partnership with BCIT’s Aerospace Technology Campus, where students will spend a month rotating through five aerospace programs: gas turbine technician, aircraft maintenance mechanic, aircraft maintenance avionics, flight operations and airport operations. The partnership grew from the district’s longstanding relationship with BCIT, which also offers hands-on opportunities through electrical, trades sampler and metal fabrication programs to Surrey students.

“We knew about their aviation program, so we went to our contact at BCIT and they were really receptive to create something that would meet the needs of our students,” said Mark Flynn, District Principal of Career Education. “They were quite happy to open their doors and find a way to bring our students in.”

Additionally, students will have a chance to try out a flight simulator donated to North Surrey Secondary by the Pacific Flying Club, as a tool to learn about components of aircrafts.

After a few months in class followed by a month at BCIT, students will have three weeks of work experience at an aviation company, which Aliwalas said he hopes will lead to further job opportunities for students in the summer.

“It’s pretty exciting to bring that passion and share that with the students to see who might become part of the industry,” he said. “I foresee some of these students becoming pilots or mechanics and coming back to the program as guest speakers to share their story with future students.”

The program is offered to current district students age 15 or older with good attendance and punctuality, and successful completion of a Math 10 and an English Language Arts 10 courses.

For more information about Explorations in Aviation, click here.