Penn College Aviation Gains 'Transport Canada' Certification

With a keen eye on the horizon, Pennsylvania College of Technology's aviation technology programming has added certification by Transport Canada to its educational roster. Transport Canada is the Canadian equivalent to the Federal Aviation Administration; Penn College's curriculum already is approved by the FAA.

Transport Canada certified Penn College as an Approved Training Organization after the College submitted an extensive training control manual and added a course – Canadian Air Regulations – to its aviation curriculum.

According to Colin W. Williamson, dean of the College's School of Transportation Technology, Penn College is only one of three public schools in the United States to gain this approval.

Williamson says the addition of Transport Canada training will increase the College's marketability in Canada and give Penn College aviation graduates more employment options. In addition to being eligible to take the required examinations for the FAA's Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance Certificate, graduates now are eligible to sit for the Transport Canada certification exam.

While similar to U.S. aviation, Williamson notes that the Canadian aviation industry has its own qualifications and distinct features, including a greater focus on and need for maintenance of helicopters and float planes.

Brett A. Reasner, associate professor of aviation at Penn College, adds, "Harmonization of the regulations between the United States and Canada, along with this certification, provides expanded opportunities for our students. Students who successfully complete the Canadian license will be eligible to work in Canada and Canadian firms based in the U.S."