Moncton Flight College
| Moncton Flight College | |
|---|---|
| File:MFC logo.gif | |
| Location | |
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| , | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Established | 1929 |
| President | Mike Doiron |
| Enrollment | 300 |
| Campus | Urban |
| Website | www.mfc.nb.ca |
The Moncton Flight College (MFC) is a pilot training school based at the Greater Moncton International Airport (CYQM) in Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada. MFC is the largest pirvate flight school in Canada as well as the only school currently authorized to conduct Joint Aviation Authority training in Canada. The college has trained over 16,000 pilots from around the world since 1929.
History
The official organizational date of the Moncton Flying Club coincides with the date of the first Air Pageant, held July 1, 1929, to raise money for the airport. A group of citizens had decided that Moncton should be an air center of the Maritimes. The site for the first airport in Moncton was chosen, and work was started in April 1929. However, hard times followed shortly after the airport was complete with the onset of the Great Depression, and all flight activity virtually ceased. It was not until the late 1930s that flight training began again at the Moncton Flying Club. By the end of 1939, the Flying Club was officially incorporated and had a fleet of two privately owned planes.
Canada declared war on Germany on September 10, 1939, and the Moncton Flying Club was given the opportunity to run the "Elementary Flying Training School, Royal Canadian Air Force," (#21 E.F.T.S., R.C.A.F.) newly opened in Chatham, New Brunswick. Training got started at the school in early July 1941, immediately after the first intake of airmen. The Fleet Finch biplane used by the school was a hardy machine with a five-cylinder engine and fabric-covered wings and fuselage. By 1945, Moncton Flying Club was operating three Elementary Flying Training Schools across Canada.
By the 1950s, the Moncton Flying Club had acquired a considerable fleet of aircraft, including four or five Tiger Moths, two Fairchild Cornells, three Aeroncas, and a Cessna T50. Despite tough economic times, membership numbers increased and the Club's notoriety grew. When an allocation of Air Cadets arrived for training, a dormitory and canteen were set up on the premises. In 1949, night flying was added to the curriculum, despite the lack of radar equipment. The Club even put together an air show, the first of many to come, with Harvards and Sea Furies competing and a stunt pilot from Quebec City participating.
The school grew quickly in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and in 1961 the Flying Club was awarded its first Yorath Trophy, symbolic of Canada's top Flying Club. In 1962 the Club took over operation of Atlantic Central Airlines, which consisted of a twin Apache and amphibious Cessna 180. These additions complimented the Club's single engine charter service and enabled it to conduct twin engine training.
June 12, 1965 marked a black day in the Club's history, the historic hangar was destroyed in a devastating fire. However, those involved with the Club were determined to rebuild the premises, and on October 8, 1966 the new hangar and dormitory was officially opened.
By the mid 1970s, students were joining from almost every country in Europe and Asia. In 1973, a Flight Dispatcher was added to the staff — a young air cadet graduate of that summer's class, Mike Doiron, who went on to become the current principal and CEO of Moncton Flight College. An Eight bay "T" hangar was built during 1974–75, and were used by private owners and the club's aircraft.
In more recent times the college has been growing quicker than ever, becoming the largest in Canada. In 2006 the school was awarded the largest pilot training contract ever in Canada, to train 800 Chinese pilots. The college announced in 2007 it would soon open a new campus in Fredericton to handle the quickly increasing student population. MFC has also recently signed an agreement with Mount Allison University to offer a Bachelor's degree in Aviation.
Programs & Courses
- Bachelor of Science, Aviation Major (BSc(Av))
- Diploma in Aviation Technology (PILOT)
- Integrated Commercial Pilot Course (ICPC)
- Traditional Pilot Training Program
- Recreational Pilot Permit
- Private Pilot License (PPL)
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
- Instrument Ratings
- Multi-Engine Rating
- Class 4 Instructor Rating
- Aerobatic Instructor Rating
- Advanced Education
- Safety Management Systems (SMS)
- Crew Resource Management (CRM)
- Airside Vehicle Operator Permit (AVOP)
Fleet
- Diamond DA20-C1 Eclipse
- The Diamond Eclipse has become the college's primary trainer as of September 2003. The college owns and operates 14 Eclipses.
- The college owns and operates 7 Cessnas.
- Piper Seminole
- As one of the world's most popular twin engine trainers, it is used for Multi-Engine training, as well as for Instrument Ratings. The college owns and operates 3 Seminoles fitted with the latest technology including HSI and Garmin 430's.
- Bellanca Citabria
- This tail dragger is used for Aerobatic instruction, upset training and tailwheel checkouts. The college owns and operates 1 Citabria. The Citabria was recently ground-looped, and is awaiting a final decision on replacement.
- King Air C90
- On April 16, 2007, MFC acquired a King Air C90 for use in its ATPL direct entry pilot training contracts. It can cruise at over 280 miles/hour above 25,000 feet.
- King Air 200 Simulator
- The King Air 200 FTD offers a wide range of benefits for pilot training in facets of Turbine Aircraft Systems, Multi-Crew Operations and compliments the Cockpit Resource Management course. Able to simulate virtually any mechanical and weather situation, the King Air 200 FTD is one of the schools most prized assets as it is incorporated in the training of the Diploma in Aviation Technology (PILOT) program, the Integrated Commercial Pilot Program (ICPL/IR) option "B" as well as used for the Beech King Air 200 Familiarization course. The first one bought in Canada, the King Air 200 FTD is certified level V by Transport Canada. The sim offers a full 200 degree view from the flight deck. Equipment includes HSI, DME, Autopilot, GPS and so much more. Although it is not full motion, it will simulate the aircraft to the point that you will think that the aircraft is moving.
- ATC 810 Simulator
- The ATC 810 Simulator is used to introduce the student to the first stages of instrument flying. During this stage of training the student will log essential simulator time on this unit, concentrating on procedures and IFR navigation. The Moncton Flight College owns and operates 2 ATC 810's which simulate the Piper Navajo. Both are fitted with HSI's, DME's VOR's, ADF's and dual radios. Each simulator also has a plotter to allow the student to see exactly what they have done during their session.