Just posting this for all those who are looking into the program at Sault College Aviation, passed on to me from a current student.
The program currently has 3 class years of students in it, NOT 2 as stated below in the letter.
Class of 2020 which stated in 2017
Class of 2021 which started in 2018
Class of 2022 Which stared in 2019
*The "Class of" refers to the graduation year for that class.
The class of 2020 (started in 2017) should have been finished in April. However most of the class year did not even have their private completed at the start of their 3rd and last year which was Sept 2019. This should have been completed around Oct 2018 for most according the Sault timeline . It has been reported on numerous sites that students were waiting approx 20-30 days or longer repeatedly between flights.
A few students left, some parents removed their son/daughter for lack of progress in the program and the many delays. Inconsistent scheduling in flight training may have also been a factor. There was also the issue of the academic classes being so out of sync with the flight training due to these flight delays. It appears on average flight training has been behind academic classes by up to an approx 2 semesters. These issues are all pre Covid.
The class year of 2017 will get most of the flight time during the prime flying weather months of this upcoming semester. Most students in this class year of 2017 have 30 plus plus more flight hours to finish.
Most are still working on the Commercial rating and yet to start their Multi and Multi IFR. Again they should have graduated in April. Tying to get the class of 2017 finished would further delay the class years of 2018 and 2019 as they may be pushed back into the Winter months and the new year for flight training to restart.THINGS TO CONSIDER:
**There is no discount for students for the upcoming Semester fees, even though all classes are online. You also have to pay the almost full additional approx $300 in student compulsory fees ex , athletic association fees etc.
**The school uses the wording " voluntary and it has limited scope" which means you have to opt in. Which also means you take some of the responsibility if you do not get what you paid for in short.
**If courses are "Online Only" if it was not for the flight training, students could study/work from home rather then paying approx $800/month with rent and cost of living. If you are not flying because for example the school is only pushing the class of 2017 to complete, your per cost flight can get $$$ waiting. The college has said they are ONLY flying the class of 2020 (those who started in 2017) first and flying Monday-Friday, no weekends.
**Off topic: The Airline Association this week estimated it will be 2023/24 before air travel and with that jobs, return to pre Covid levels. Something to consider in your timeline.
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July 23, 2020
Dear Students:
We hope this letter finds you well. We are writing to you to provide you with an update regarding the Aviation Technology Program at Sault College.
As you are aware the global pandemic related to COVID-19 has affected nearly every aspect of our lives. The virus has also impacted post-secondary operations across Ontario. While we are working hard to minimize any impact to students and ensure minimal disruption to programming at the college, there are challenges in specific areas that are unfortunately beyond our control. The aviation sector in particular has been significantly impacted by COVID-19.
Flight Training Units were given permission to open as of July 6th. The College has been approved by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities to participate in a re-opening pilot project for graduating students requiring practical learning toward completion of their program. We have prepared a pilot start up program that will allow potential graduates to return in phases. Participation in this program is voluntary and it has limited scope.
As indicated in our update on June 10, 2020, in order to offer our program, inclusive of flight training, in the best interests of our students and minimize the potential impact of an occurrence of COVID-19 infections in the FTU or a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the province, we will be implementing a modified program for the 2020/2021 academic year.
We have modified our original plan for the fall but we will be starting the Fall 2020 term on 8 September. We will be providing flight training on site in Sault Ste. Marie this fall, however academic courses will be online only. As previously indicated only two student cohorts will be on campus this fall and be scheduled for flight training. We are trying to reduce the density of aviation students on campus and at the hangar as a way to help with social distancing and reduce the risk of infection in the aviation student community. Our procedures to combat the virus will reduce our capacity for flight training hours. This will mean that individuals will be added to the schedule as resources become available throughout the fall. As students are notified of their pending start up of flight training throughout the fall term they will have the option of self isolating in Sault Ste. Marie for 14 days or schedule a COVID-19 test.
The college and the aviation department in particular will have processes and procedures in place to protect staff and students at the hangar and in the simulators. We will be defining requirements for Personal Protective Equipment which you will need to supply at your expense. These procedures may continue throughout the academic year and are developed to remain in compliance with public health and government directives.
Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation throughout this time.
Sincerely,
Chair, Aviation Technology – Flight
P.S. Here is a link to contact APH for information on the pandemic and on scheduling an appointment for a COVID-19 test http://www.algomapublichealth.com/disea ... assessment
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The Students of the 3 class years should consider reaching out to the school to clarify the above.
Example: What does "limited in scope"mean exactly?
When can they expect to return to flight training if NOT in the class of 2017.
Will you be flying more then 3 times a month if flights are limited?
Update:
As of Sept only aprox half of the the Class year of 2017 returned to flight training which started again early August. That half is still working on their Commercial along with the first half. The college has said it maybe early 2021 before all of the Class of 2021 (those who stared in 2018) have returned to their flight training.
What this means is many of those students will be in their last semester (7) of the program, learning Multi IFR, advanced systems etc. However most just finished their private rating and still have to do their Commercial/Multi/Muilt IFR. Following them will be the Class of 2022 that started in 2019.
