CQFA

Established in 1968, the Centre quebecois de formation aeronautique (CQFA, www.cqfa.ca) is one of the oldest flight schools in Canada. It belongs to the Government of Quebec's Ministry of Education via the Chicoutimi College, Quebec's first legally constituted community college established in 1967 (today 609 employees). The CQFA campus is located at St-Honore Airport (CYRC), 20 minutes north of the Saguenay River. Founding member of the Canadian Association of Aviation Colleges (www.caac.ca), the CQFA is the only French-speaking aviation college in North America and perhaps the only one with a complete, three-year program completely free of tuition. Once the first academic year is completed and Private Pilot License level is achieved, the yearly intake of 40 cadets is specialized in one of three career paths. Roughly 10 cadets will be trained as bush pilots on Cessna 185 amphi/wheels/skis, 10 cadets will become helicopter pilots using the CQFA's two B206 helicopters, and 20 will aim for a career as airline pilots and will be trained for multi-engine IFR crew-concept on PA31-310, BE200 King Air FTD, and B737-800 FTD for FMS/EFIS. The latter simulator is located in the CQFA's Montreal campus as it mainly serves the industry. The selection process begins in March and requires from the applicants to be Quebec resident on December 31st, takes 3 months to complete, and culminates with medical exams, an interview, and the WOMBAT Situational Awareness and Stress Tolerance Test. In June, applicants are notified of their acceptance and the first classes begin early August. Operations run 11 months/year. Cadets graduate with 225 hours on average. Usually, 36-37 cadets will graduate form the original 40 intake. The CQFA has been operating a Continuing Education Department for 25 years. More info on www.cqfa.ca.