Conestoga Aviation students were honoured at the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre’s (WWFC) annual Wings Banquet on March 15. In addition to celebrating top student accomplishments and flight training milestones, the event also provided an opportunity to network with airline partners as well as an address from a keynote speaker.
Suhail Mohammed receiving his award for earning the highest combined commercial pilot licence score at WWFC in 2023.
“We’re very proud to showcase the talents of our Aviation students and perform the wing pinning ceremony, which recognizes the dedication and commitment required to obtain a private pilot’s licence,” said Emily Crombez, aviation program coordinator.
“This year saw our students achieve numerous licences, awards, and ratings, and graduate Suhail Mohammed earning the highest combined commercial pilot licence score at WWFC - an impressive feat.”
Mohammed’s score was based on a written exam and flight test, and was tops among the 95 commercial pilot licences that were issued at WWFC in 2023 to Conestoga, University of Waterloo and private stream students.
This year’s award winners are:
- Conestoga College Aviation Award for Professionalism: Jesse Schill and Evan Juergensen
- Jazz Pathway Award for Professionalism: Hayden Lewis
- Jazz Pathway Award for Professionalism & Diversity: Evelyn Rae Mage
- Porter Star Award: Garret Clarke
- Private Air Scholarship: Evelyn Rae Mage
- WWFC Lift Scholarship: Evelyn Rae Mage
Conestoga’s Aviation - General Arts and Science pilot training program is the only collaborative diploma program that offers a choice between flying airplanes at Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre or flying helicopters at Great Lakes Helicopter. Through pilot training at one of the flight centres, and classes at Conestoga, students can complete a diploma in two years as well as the pilot training to allow them to undertake the Transport Canada Commercial Pilot Licence testing.