Rotary Wing Certificate Program

Commercial Helicopter Training

Type: Certificate Program​

Length: 1 Year (2 semesters)

Delivery: In-person

Locations: Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory

Next Intakes: Fall 2027

Tuition and Fees: Please reach out to us for a full cost breakdown. Our team will work with applicants to the best of our ability to source funding for this program.

Please Note: The equal consideration date for applications is February 1, 2027. Applications received after this date will be directed to our waitlist.

Complete Interest Form

Once you complete the interest form, our team will reach out to you with more information and next steps!

The development of this program was supported

with funding from the government of Canada.

OVERVIEW 

FNTI’s Rotary Wing Certificate Program is a holistic, one-year program that prepares Indigenous learners for careers as Commercial Helicopter Pilots.  Grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and being, the Certificate integrates traditional knowledge with Transport Canada standards and current industry practices.

For many Indigenous communities, air transportation is a lifeline. While fixed-wing aircraft are often used for long-distance travel, helicopters (rotary wing) play an equally vital role by providing emergency medical evacuations, search and rescue support, wildlife monitoring, wildfire suppression, and assistance with critical infrastructure.
The need for Indigenous helicopter pilots has been identified and the goal is to train helicopter pilots who will meet the variety of needs of Indigenous Communities.

The purpose of this program is to increase Indigenous participation in the rotary wing sector by training the next generation of helicopter pilots.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Commercial Helicopter Ground School

Applied Maintenance

Crew Resource Management 

Winter Survival 

Curriculum

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Flight Instruction

Tourism

Emergency Medical Services

Fire Fighting

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS 

Applicants must identify as having First Nation, Métis, or Inuit ancestry.  

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, including Grade 12 English (ENG4C or ENG4U), Grade 12 Math for College (MCT4C or MAP4C) or University Math (MHF4U or MCV4U). Grade 11 or 12 Physics is strongly recommended. 

Applicants must submit a "Letter of Intent" outlining their reasons for applying to the aviation program. This letter may outline their professional goals, commitment to their community/Nation, and/or personal aspirations. This letter should be no longer than 500 words.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION 

  1. Official Transcript - Secondary or Post-Secondary 

  2. Transport Canada Category 1 Medical Certificate (contact us to determine your local Certified Aviation Medical Examiner) 

  3. Criminal Record Check (must be completed no more than six months prior to the date of admission) 

  4. Letter of intent (see "Admission Requirements" above)

  5. Proof of Indigenous Ancestry

Please upload all official documentation to the online portal link sent to your email.

For more information, contact our Recruitment Office at 1.800.267.0637 ext. 141 or email us at recruitment@fnti.net