Conestoga College and Great Lakes Helicopter announce Helicopter Pilot Training Program

Conestoga College will be expanding its Aviation program to include pilot training on helicopters.  Starting this September, aviation students who want to acquire both a commercial pilot's licence and receive a College diploma can enrol in this joint program.  It is being conducted through a partnership arrangement between Conestoga College and Great Lakes Helicopter, which operates out of the Region of Waterloo International Airport.

A similar and very successful partnership arrangement has existed between Conestoga College and the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC) since 1996.  Graduates of this program receive their Ontario College Diploma for the General Arts and Science Aviation program and their commercial pilot training leading to a Transport Canada pilot's licence through WWFC.  Under this new arrangement, students will now be able to enrol in the same program at Conestoga College, but will now have the option of completing their Commercial pilot licence training through either WWFC on fixed wing aircraft or through Great Lakes Helicopter on helicopters.

"Great Lakes Helicopter is delighted to be working with Conestoga College and the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre in this joint venture," said Bill Leyburne, President. "The addition of this program thru the hard work and professionalism of the parties involved will establish the Region of Waterloo Airport as one of the pre-eminent pilot training centres in the country."

Great Lakes Helicopter is a Transport Canada approved, Private Career College Flight Training School and Charter operation based at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.

Nick Booth, CFI and our staff of reliable professionals has helped Great Lakes Helicopter flourish into a successful helicopter flight training operation. We pride ourselves on our safe, professional staff and well maintained helicopters.

Currently, we offer a fleet that consists of  three Robinson R22's, two Robinson R44's and Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter, which allow us to perform a wide variety of operations to suit most people's needs.

Official signing ceremony to be held today, Tuesday, April 6, 11:00 a.m.