Fanshawe Cleared for Takeoff With New Aviation Programming

Fanshawe College still has space available in its new Avionics Technician program, but seats are filling up fast. The program, a two-year diploma at the newly-opened Centre for Applied Transportation Technologies (CATT), will be the first in a growing suite of aviation programming to be offered by the College.

At right, a young visitor sits in the cockpit of a helicopter during the CATT grand opening in May 2011.

"We're very excited to announce that the College is launching the first of its aviation programs this September," said Rob Gorrie, Chair of the School of Transportation Technologies. "With the purchase of five aircraft, combined with two complete state-of-the-art avionics labs and brand new curriculum, Fanshawe knows it has a winning formula to provide highly qualified graduates for the growing avionics repair and maintenance field."

Earlier this year, the City of London had to shut down access to Oxford Street, a major artery, to allow the College to move its new acquisitions to the CATT. Students in all the new aviation programs will make use of the decommissioned aircraft, which include two single-engine Cessnas, a twin-engine seven seat Piper Navajo, a twin-engine Hawker business jet and a Bell helicopter.

Fanshawe has already successfully partnered with Sault College to offer their one year Aircraft Structural Repair Technician program at the London campus. Many students from this program are hired before they graduate.

"With ongoing growth in the aviation maintenance sector, we anticipate that our graduates will have ample opportunity for employment both locally and throughout Ontario and the rest of Canada," Gorrie said. "Keep your eye on Fanshawe College in the near future as our aviation programming expands."

Fanshawe's CATT, a brand-new $32 million state-of-the-art centre, provides training for apprentices and post-secondary students in Automotive, Truck and Coach, Agricultural Equipment and Auto Body programs. For those interested in registering for Avionics, there are still seats available for the September 2011 program start.