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On Friday, Aug. 24, Seneca hosted the School of Aviation’s 50th anniversary reception at Peterborough Campus.
The event, sponsored by MBNA Canada, celebrated the school’s milestone with guests including local politicians, industry partners and alumni dating back to the early 1970s.
Since the school started in 1968 with three planes and 25 students, it has grown to become a groundbreaker and leader in the field of aviation training with 22 planes, 10 flight simulators and wait lists for its one degree and two diploma programs: Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology, Aviation Operations and Aviation Safety.
Today, the school also offers the Airline Pilot Flight Operations graduate certificate program, the Seneca/Jazz direct-entry cadet program, which Linthwaite helped build, and the Royal Canadian Air Force Pilot Training Program among others.
For 45 years, Seneca’s School of Aviation operated out of Buttonville Airport in Markham, Ont. In the early days, private pilot training was contracted out to Toronto Airways and the program evolved slowly but steadily.
“We’ve always taken our time,” said Lynne McMullen, Director, Business Development, School of Aviation. “We have embraced changes in technology and training methodology, renewed our fleet, increased our faculty and broadened the scope of training.”
The bachelor program, for example, is the only technology-based degree program.
As the first Transport Canada-approved Integrated Airline Transport Pilot training program in the country, it now receives more than 500 applications annually from prospective students wanting to become commercial airline pilots. The program admits 90 students each year.
The move to Peterborough Campus in 2014 enabled the school to “co-locate” the academic and flight line aspects of the study for students in the second, third and fourth year of the degree program.
“It’s more cohesive,” said McMullen. “It’s a positive environment for our students, with unrestricted air space for practice in all directions.”
Steve Linthwaite, a Seneca graduate and vice-president of flight operations at Jazz Aviation LP, agrees. As chair of the Bachelor of Aviation Technology Program Advisory Committee, he has paid close attention to the school’s development over the years.
“The strength of Seneca’s aviation program continues to
evolve,” he said. “It remains at the cutting edge of technology and its faculty and aircraft are industry-leading.”
Linthwaite was one of three Senecans of Distinction who were honoured at the Aug. 24 event.
Learn more about the recipients:
Russel Bannock
Russel Bannock joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1939 as a pilot officer. He flew night missions over Europe in a de Havilland Mosquito, one of the few aircraft that was able to intercept German buzz bombs.
Following the war, Bannock went on to become president and CEO for de Havilland Aircraft. As a long-time supporter of the School of Aviation, he sponsors an award for a graduating student who demonstrates academic achievement, leadership, involvement in student life and participates in varsity athletics. He received an honourary degree from Seneca in 2017.
Steve Linthwaite
Steve Linthwaite graduated from Seneca in 1985. He is chair of the Bachelor of Aviation Technology (BAT) Program Advisory Committee and President of the Seneca Alumni Council. As vice-president, Flight Operations at Jazz Aviation LP, Linthwaite led the development of the groundbreaking Jazz/Seneca direct-entry cadet and flight instructor pathway programs. He was instrumental in establishing two scholarship programs for BAT students, awarding as many as six students annually.
Through Jazz, he has provided annual sponsorship for the United Way golf tournament and Campaign for Students.
Joan Williams
Joan Williams was a member of the School of Aviation Program Advisory Committee. She was chief flight instructor of Toronto Airways Limited, where Seneca students completed their private pilot flight training until it was brought in house in 2001. As chair of the board and vice-president of quality at Ottawa Aviation Services (OAS), Williams developed a pathway program for BAT graduates to earn a flight instructor rating free of charge after which they are hired to work for OAS. She was a good friend and mentor to many Seneca aviation faculty. She passed away on July 3, 2017.
