Taylor Shaw

First Officer, Air Canada

I began my aviation career as an instructor at Southern Interior Flight Centre. Having completed most of my training at other flight schools on the coast I can honestly say that the Commercial Aviation Diploma is top of the line training that exceeds the standard. The industry experienced Flight School Director provides a real world learning atmosphere that prepares students for today's industry.

After instructing at SIFC, I was hired by Carson Air to fly the Metroliner, and now I am a First Officer on the Embraer 190 for Canada's flagship carrier, Air Canada. SIFC and Carson Air provided me the experience and industry contacts that allowed me to go from graduation to a major airline in only 3 and a half years.

I have seen first hand how quickly program graduates have gained entry level jobs and progressed up the ranks of the aviation industry. The network of SIFC graduates that are currently working in all corners of the industry provide pivotal contacts that help graduates secure their first flying job. I would recommend the Commercial Aviation Diploma program at SIFC to anyone who is looking to fast track their career to the airlines.

Vanessa Hardy

Jazz Aviation Pathways Program Recipient

I have recently completed all of my flight training at Southern Interior Flight Center. After first obtaining my Private Pilot’s License, which I did self-paced over the summer, I entered the Commercial Aviation Diploma Program with Okanagan College.  

The CAD program is extremely well designed to provide you with all the necessary licenses and ratings needed for your first job in aviation. The experienced staff and structure of the program have prepared me well for a future job in the Aviation Industry. 

I received the Jazz Aviation Pathways award during my time in the CAD program. Unfortunately, due to the effect that COVID has had on the aviation industry, I was unable to start the interview process. I decided to get my Instructor Rating at SIFC and was subsequently hired as a flight instructor. The skills and experience I have gained through being a student, and now an employee at SIFC, are helping me achieve my future aspirations as a Commercial Pilot. 

Amanda Hardy

Commercial Pilot

I am currently working towards obtaining my multi and IFR ratings at Southern Interior Flight Centre. Prior to entering aviation, I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UBC Okanagan, which prompted my decision to complete all of my training self-paced at SIFC. 
 
As a self-paced student, I am fully responsible for my own training, which is beneficial in terms of the flexibility it provides, but also requires a great deal of self-motivation, determination, and hard work ethic. 
 
Shortly after receiving my Private Pilot Licence, I was hired to work as a Training Assistant at SIFC. This position has provided me with the perfect opportunity to gain some aviation related work experience, as my duties have included parking, cleaning, and preparing aircraft for flight, coordinating with maintenance, flight watch, and administrative duties.  
 
Through my training and work at SIFC I have had the opportunity to interact with various maintenance personnel, pilots, and administrative staff; I can attest to not only the professional, knowledgeable, and safety-focused instructors and staff of SIFC, but of all members of Carson Air.

Brady Smith

North Wright Airways - C207 Captain

I started my flight training in Vancouver BC and transitioned into the Commercial Aviation Diploma offered through Okanagan College. The level of flight training I received was above and beyond what any other program offered. Survival training, Egress, FMS, Crew resource management, and many more just to name a few.  To go along with the provided training there is always a veteran CFI and Flight school director around to ask those tough questions to!

After Graduating the program at OC and SIFC I quickly got on the job hunt and landed my first airline job starting as a rampie and moving to flight line soon. The North (Norman Wells is where I am now) is not something I have experienced yet before, but I am prepared to put my time in here to get where I want to be. I feel as if the north has some of the most beautiful and eventful flying to be done so hopefully, I will be able to get into that twin otter seat soon to see if for myself. Hard work always pays off. I look forward to the future and thank SIFC and everyone there for the support and giving me the tools, I need to succeed. I would recommend SIFC to anyone that is looking to do flight training self-paced or program whether that be for fun or career path. The city of Kelowna is a great place to live and has some great flying to be done. For anyone considering becoming a pilot go for it you won’t regret it!

Steve Bechtel

First Officer, Air Canada

I am now a First Officer on the Airbus A320 with Air Canada, based in Vancouver. Prior to joining Air Canada, I flew as a First Officer on the ATR 42 with West Wind Aviation in Saskatoon, and as a Captain on the Jetstream 32 fleet with Northwestern Air Lease in Fort Smith, NT. I began my flight training at SIFC in July 2005. After completing my commercial licence and multi-IFR rating, I obtained an instructor rating, and was subsequently hired as a flight instructor at the school. I have no doubt that the quality training and supportive learning environment allowed me to progress with confidence in the aviation industry. The many contacts I made during my time at SIFC have been a tremendous asset to my career thus far. The Flight School Director, Marc Vanderaegen, takes a personal interest in the professional development of his students and employees: the education you receive at this school will set you on a path for success in aviation.

Aimee Wintle

Jazz Aviation Pathways Award Recipient, Metro Captain

The Commercial Aviation Diploma is a great way to begin a career in aviation. The school has a reliable fleet of 172s, knowledgeable instructors, and provides students with a lot of networking opportunities through connections with many Canadian aviation companies including Jazz and Encore. The partnership between SIFC and Okanagan College allows students to finish their training with many useful skills that are helpful both with flying and with all other aspects of being a pilot. The program is very structured and is designed to help get students into flying jobs and make sure they're successful once they're there.

I completed the CAD program in 2018 and left SIFC with the opportunity to be a part of the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program as well as a job offer to fly metroliners with Carson Air, an offer I would not have received had I not been a student at SIFC. My job at Carson Air has allowed me to quickly gain incredibly valuable hours in a turboprop multicrew environment, as well as experiences and challenges that will help me throughout my entire aviation career. I thoroughly recommend SIFC's CAD program, and if you get the opportunity to instruct or fly metros then it's a great way to begin a career in aviation!

Dean Ticehurst

Captain, Air Canada Jazz

After I completed my Commercial Aviation Diploma at the Okanagan School of Business I had the opportunity to work for Southern Interior Flight Centre as a flight instructor. I decided to attend Okanagan College because of the opportunities it offered post graduation. I had noticed a trend that seemingly all the top graduates from the Aviation Diploma Program had been offered instructing jobs which eventually led into the charter division of Carson Air Ltd; or potentially many other entry level jobs that had been taken by Okanagan College Alumni and needed replacement by new graduates. Having the opportunity for job placement and multiple connections, post graduation is one of the most important parts of anyone's aviation career. In June 2007 I was hired as a first officer for Carson Air Ltd, and became a Captain by April 2008. In April 2009, my education and experience in the airline industry presented me with an opportunity to work for Air Canada Jazz as a first officer.

I chose the Okanagan College Aviation Diploma Program because it provided me with a chance to get my foot in the door and build strong relationships within the airline industry. I feel that Okanagan School of Business gave me the confidence and determination to make it in a competitive industry. The Aviation Diploma Program gave me the skills and tools needed to succeed throughout my evolving career.

Dave Evans

First Officer - Dornier 228, Island Aviation, Philippines

Not every problem is in the book. Thats why SIFC provides the real world preparation needed for the turbulent aviation industry. Whether  you're training to become a commercial pilot or just for recreation, flying with SIFC in the beautiful Okanagan is a great step in the right direction. 

When I joined the commercial aviation program in 2009, I never would have expected to be where I am today, flying charter flights in the Philippines.

SIFC played a huge role in helping me achieve that dream. The opportunities for SIFC graduates are endless for anyone willing to pursue them. 

Cheers and safe flying!

Jon Marcellin

Boeing 767 RP, Air Canada

I began my flying career with SIFC in the accelerated private pilot summer camp. From there I transitioned into the Commercial Aviation Diploma Program offered by SIFC and Okanagan College. This program offers all the essential groundwork to move forward in the aviation world as a corporate or airline pilot. Kelowna is the perfect training environment to learn how to fly for both beginners and more experienced pilots. It is located very close to training areas to minimize costs and has the perfect balance of big and small aircraft that utilize the airspace. The staff at SIFC are very knowledgeable and keen while the maintenance department is kept to a very high standard.

After graduating from the Commercial Aviation Diploma program I bridged into the Okanagan College's Bachelor of Business Administration program and started working as a flight instructor at SIFC. From there I was hired with Carson Air to fly the Metroliner and accumulated valuable turboprop and IFR experience throughout BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. My next position was a Beech 1900 captain with Central Mountain Air which prepared me perfectly for my current position at Air Canada on the Boeing 767.

I would recommend SIFC to anyone looking to simply take flying lessons or those who are looking for a career as a pilot.

Adam Buray

Captain, Super King Air 200

Looking back on my training at Southern Interior Flight Center is a place I would return in a heart beat. I remember starting off with cadets going for my first flight ever in a private airplane; it was amazing. The inspiring pilot let me take the controls my first time being up in the cockpit of an airplane. Right from that moment I knew this was for me! As I grew old enough I returned to Southern Interior to challenge myself in a difficult and rewarding accomplishment. I proceeded to undergo my commercial training which was a milestone in my life! Sounds like quite the success story, but really I have to take my hat off to the flight school. To myself I believe SIFC has outstanding staff that will do what ever it takes to help anyone learn and grow into this small family called Aviation. I can't stress enough how much this school has done for me when I was struggling through my own training. It was as if the instructors took you under their own wings and treated you as part of a big family. Now a graduate of the Commercial Aviation Diploma, I look back and remember all the great times I had, wishing I could repay SIFC for what they have done for me.

I have been out working for about 4 years now and have already made a name for my former flight school. The quality training helped me through the bush environment, making sound and cost effective decisions which led me to a Chief Pilot position. Even after a few years of flying low level bush and survey single pilot, I have recently taken a First Officer position for the Air Ambulance Program in Alberta. This is much different working with another pilot on board but the straight forward training from Marc Vanderaegen and his staff bring you up to speed on how to work effectively in a "team" environment. If you're looking to learn and work hard, Southern Interior Flight Centre will help you rise to the industry standard in many different fields of aviation.

I can say that if you're looking into a career in aviation or just recreationally, make a point to drop in at SIFC. Fly Safe.

James Burke

Captain, King Air 350 - Carson Air

There is an old saying in the aviation industry that it's not what you know but whom you know. In some cases it is very true. At Southern Interior Flight Centre, you don't just get excellent training; you also get a team of well-respected instructors who work within the aviation industry. Over the many years SIFC has been able to build a solid reputation that attracts some of the youngest and brightest instructors as well as seasoned industry experts. After graduating with a commercial aviation diploma in 2009 I knew I didn't want to jump into the industry through the instructor route. I decided to earn my stripes by going up north to Yellowknife, NT and working my way into a plane.

With the guidance of the instructors at Southern Interior, they showed me that there are many ways to break into this sometimes difficult industry. With the skills I learned at the flight school as well through Okanagan College I was able to join Air Tindi as a flight coordinator.

I have no doubt that the reason I have a job within the aviation industry today is because of the expertise of the team at SIFC and the help they were willing to provide me. I developed a relationship with all my instructors at SIFC that I know will help me throughout my career. I can't thank them enough for all the help and training I've already received and I know I will continue to receive.

Ross Baadsvik

Air Canada

After completing the Commercial Aviation Program through Southern Interior Flight Centre I immediately landed my first job aerial mapping/photography in a Cessna 206 out of Pitt Meadows. Training in Kelowna's mountainous terrain and variable weather conditions allowed me to gain experience that would have been hard to find elsewhere. Kelowna is a great place for the IFR training as it has every kind of an approach including an ILS. SIFC allowed me to make many contacts which I believe will help me move up within the aviation industry. We also had the opportunity to train with experienced pilots such as Neal Titanich from Buffalo Airways, Rob Rantucci from Air Canada, and many more. Overall, SIFC has a great professional atmosohere and I would highly recommend the program to anyone interested in aviation.

Brandon Simunac

Air Canada Jazz

Bottom line, if you are looking for a great learning experience without breaking the bank, SIFC is the place to do it. With an experienced staff, a standardized fleet, and one of the best locations for flight training, they have it all. They even prepare you for your first job in the airlines, and they do it exceedingly well. Not only was I well prepared for my interview, once I got the job, I was easily able to apply the lessons learned at SIFC onto my current job. My personal thanks to everyone at SIFC for a phenomenal job well done!