Scholarships valued at $150,000 are now available through BC Aviation Council (BCAC) to support future pilots
This record funding includes the Bain and Brown Commercial Pilot Career Scholarship, the largest single award in BCAC history at $20,000. Past BCAC Chair Heather McCarley emphasized that these scholarships aim to ease the financial burdens faced by future commercial pilots in British Columbia, Canada.
The Bain and Brown Scholarship was made possible through a generous donation from aviation enthusiasts Ted Bain and Nancy Brown. It is available to students enrolled in pilot training programs at any of BC’s 42 Transport Canada-certified flight schools.
Pilot Shortage: Urgent Call for Funding, Training and Diversity
On March 21, 2024, Transport Canada highlighted labour’s crucial role in aviation during a briefing on infrastructure. The department is engaging industry partners to create sustainable jobs and exploring cadet programs to address pilot shortages.
In a recent BCAC media release, Ted Bain, a former Royal Canadian Air Force pilot, expressed his commitment to helping new pilots. He stated, “I think the price of an aviation education turns a lot of people away. I would hate to see somebody who would love to become a pilot change career paths due to a lack of funds.”
Bain noted the global pilot shortage, adding, “The dramatic commercial pilot shortage is affecting Canada, the United States, and many other countries.”
The pilot shortfall is projected to remain substantial due to an aging pilot population, pandemic departures, and supply constraints.
“In her interview with Investment Reports, Suzanne Benoit, President of the Quebec Air Transport Association, discussed the ongoing pilot shortage. She stated that North America will face a significant shortfall for the next decade, with CAE Aviation forecasting a need for 63,000 new pilots in the region. This shortage is forcing airlines to ground aircraft, leading to high costs.
Benoit emphasized the need for more scholarships, loans, and airline cadet programs to alleviate financial barriers to training. She also highlighted the importance of diversifying recruitment, noting that only 4% to 6% of airline pilots worldwide are women. See her full comments in Investment Reports.”
Funding Open to Aviation Careers and Awards Celebration
The $150,000 in scholarships offered by BCAC this year represents a remarkable 65% increase from 2023. This funding will support not only commercial pilot training but also careers in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Flight Instruction.
It will also benefit those keen on pursuing Aviation Operations and Management. These fields are increasingly in demand due to workforce shortages. BCAC administers Canada’s largest Aviation and Aerospace Scholarship Program. To apply, click here.
The BCAC will celebrate this year’s scholarship recipients during the Silver Wings Industry and Scholarship Awards Celebration on October 18 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. This open event highlights the community’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of aviation talent. Details and registration here.
