Resources for aviation students

MTA Aviation Society

Your Executive team

President: Nevis Hunt
Vice-President: Nawfal Emad
Secretary: Abby Kapuscinksi
Treasurer: Jett Smith

Council Members 2023-2024

1st year rep: Ronnie Sawyer
2nd Year rep: Joel Williams
3rd year rep: Jason Sun
4th year rep: Saifan Ashvani
Radio hosts: Vincent Bodwell, Jervis Dharmai, Zaid Hasan
Academic resource coordinators: Roman Jung, Imed Abdou
Social Affairs coordinators: Katrina Meinders, Caren Godli, Ella Johnson

What we do!

Events — One of our goals is to create a network among aviation students at Mount Allison. We believe that community centered events help us connect to one another and grow stronger.

Merch — First solo jackets, sweaters, stickers, t-shirts

Support — We strive to help students manage their stress by providing them with the right resource. We want to help and support our peers while they achieve their goals within the aviation industry

Join us!

MTA Aviation Society

@MTAaviationsociety

To access the Aviation society on Moodle, go to home tab, search Aviation. The society page is called APR aviation!

Cat 1 Medical Test

The Category 1 Medical test uses Transport Canada's rigorous set of medical and health criteria for those who perform flying duties for hire or reward, and for transporting numerous persons and goods. Transport Canada uses the test to ensure that pilots do not have any conditions that can cause sudden or insidious incapacitation of their physical functions or faculties.

More information

The best way to be 100% sure you can obtain a Cat 1 Medical is to undergo examination with a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME) appointed by Transport Canada prior to program start.

In no way does the following information carry any medical or regulatory weight. Below is an overview that simplifies and highlights some of transport Canada's major areas of concern for pilots.

Cardiovascular (heart & blood vessels)

Blood pressure should be normal (120/80 or so)
ECG will check for abnormal heart rhythms and conditions
Family health history will be asked in relation to this

Vision

Correctable to 20/20, normal fields of vision
Colour Blindness is disqualifying (some workarounds exist for mild cases, but usually not when piloting commercially)
Refractive Laser Eye Surgery is more widely accepted now, but still considered by case, check with a CAME. More information: Refractive Eye Surgery (“Laser Eye Surgery”)

Hearing

You will be tested on range and volume. For your initial medical, you may need to book a separate audiogram exam at a different facility depending on the equipment your CAME office has on hand. The CAME will be able to advise when you are booking the appointment. Ruptured or perforated eardrums are not necessarily disqualifying once they have healed.

Musculo-skeletal, digestive, balance (vestibular)

Muscle and bones are looked at in regard to fine motor control and as required for the manipulation of aircraft controls etc...
Some digestive issues may present a hazard for pilots, as gas expands with altitude.
Normal balance is assessed as spatial disorientation and loss of balance while flying is very incapacitating in numerous ways.

Diabetes of certain type has not been immediately disqualifying for many years now. You will need to consult a CAME for your specific case.

Psychological (nervous system)

No psychological disorders or persistent unresolved mental health issues.
If there are questions in regard to mental health as it relates to your potential aviation career, we recommend you consult a psychologist/psychiatrist and then a CAME.

Drugs & Medication

Transport Canada would like to minimize the risk of any drug interactions, withdrawal, or medication side-effects, that could incapacitate or impair you while in the operation of aircraft.

Cannabis and other recreational drugs

Since legalization, use of cannabis is not immediately disqualifying. However, from the perspective of holding a Cat 1 Medical, best practice is to not use cannabis at all.
Transport Canada's current 28 day regulation available here: Consumption of Cannabis.
Some employers will have more strict restrictions (possibly zero tolerance) on cannabis and other recreational drugs.

Flight training resources

MFC Training Student Resources

Industry trends

Women in Aviation

Canadian Women in Aviation (CWIA) organization

Approaching Finals - This is a group dedicated to supporting community members working towards becoming pilots in Canadian training programs. The community is for both domestic and international students, and has one Team Lead who ensures that this program is inclusive of international students and their unique experiences. This community launched in May of 2021 runs socials, study sessions and general talks This program is centered on women and gender-diverse people but open to everyone. To join the community of support, anyone can sign up through the link.
CWIA Circles - a Monthly social where people from across the country come together in small groups. A great opportunity to meet different women from across aviation, network and make friends. Invitations are sent monthly to their email list.

Due to the prevalence of mentorship programs by peer organizations, CWIA focuses on creating communities of support and a place for community care. Their aim is to complement the available programs with their peer organizations and fill any gaps that they identify.

The CWIA recommends that female pilots look for local chapters of both The 99s and Women in Aviation International (WAI). If there are no active chapters, they encourage students to start local chapters under one or both of these organizations.

Organizations that are doing great work to support women and gender-diverse pilots:

External Resources

The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) is proud to present the Dave Caddey Memorial Scholarship, supporting students in their choice of a career in aerospace, space, and defence sectors.

AIAC_Caddey Scholarship_2024.pdf