AIM HIGHER at Providence: Meet Bardia

OTTERBURNE, MB – Since air travel is such a taken for granted mode of transportation, it’s hard to conceive that engine-propelled planes themselves have only been in operation for little more than 100 years. Considering this relatively short period of time in world history, it’s significant that for fifty of those years, Harv’s Air in Steinbach has provided flight training to prospective private and commercial pilots, and that since the early 1980s, Providence is the only university in Manitoba – and one of only a few across Canada – that offers a bachelor’s degree in Aviation alongside licensing.

This is what brought Bardia Salimkhani to Providence back in 2013. Growing up in Tehran, it was Bardia’s dream since childhood to become a pilot. While considering his options after completing secondary school, he was debating between a flight school in Florida, another in California, and one in Otterburne. Needless to say, Bardia chose Providence, graduated in 2017, currently works as a first officer at one of Canada’s major airlines, and is the president of the Steinbach Flying Club. But why Providence?

“I’ve never been part of a community like Providence before or after my four years there as a student. The one-on-one experience you have with both your peers and the faculty is like no other place. It’s more than just an education; it’s about a greater calling and purpose. Studying at Providence has allowed me to pursue my passion, to use my gifts, and realize the dream I first had when I was six years old.”

There are also some specific reasons why someone who is seeking flight certification in Canada should consider Manitoba as their top choice.

“The province has the most sunny days in a year compared to the rest of Canada, which can expedite training – as clear weather is key for consistency. You can also experience really high temperatures into the 30s and all the way down to minus 40 degrees Celsius in the winter. With this range of hot and humid days to freezing conditions with snow to deal with, most of the things you read about in meteorology textbooks, you can experience here in Manitoba.”

Through this partnership that Providence has with Harv’s Air, students not only complete all their ground school, in-flight and simulator training requirements, successful graduates like Bardia also come away from the program with either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Aviation. This way, in addition to being able to earn an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), pilots will also have a university degree – allowing them to pursue graduate studies and other career options.

“Since being a pilot is such a demanding job, I wanted to make sure that I have other plans to fall back on if for whatever reason I can’t stay in aviation. That way, I wouldn’t have to start completely from scratch in a different industry.”

Looking to earn your commercial or private pilot’s licence while pursuing a faith-based post-secondary education? Look no further than the Aviation program offered at Providence University College.

Hear more stories about how Providence is preparing students for meaningful careers at Prov.ca/AimHigher.