Timmins Flying Club launches bursary program for aviation students

Timmins Flying Club addressing pilot shortage The aviation sector is experiencing a shortage of pilots & others in the field, so the Timmins Flying Club is stepping up.

Conner Chenier of Timmins wants to be a pilot. He’s in his third year at Fanshawe College, enrolled in the Commercial Flight and Aviation Leadership Program. Upon graduation, he wants to return to the city to work.

Conner Chenier Conner Chenier is the first aviation student to receive a bursary to go towards his education from the Timmins Flying Club. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)

“Really just anything like float flying or anything medevac… feel like that'd be the best experience for me,” said Chenier.

Chenier’s interest in flying began when he participated in the Young Eagles Program. It offers free flights to youths between the ages of seven and 17.

“I feel like one of the biggest things for my interest in aviation was the Young Eagles Program actually here,” said Chenier.

“Probably did that when I was about ten or 11 and then also some support from my uncle and my grandfather--they were pretty interested in aviation, plane spotting, stuff like that.”

In an effort to encourage aviation students, the Timmins Flying Club has launched a bursary program and Chenier is one of two students this year to receive a $500 dollar bursary.

“So this is… part and parcel of thanks to our group for collecting funds during the year and our sponsorship for the Young Eagles and essentially, we go out and we ask for a little bit of help and anything left over, we put it into a pot aside to be able to help,” said Noel Belair, a member of the Timmins Flying Club and the local coordinator of the Young Eagles Program.

The club said the funds can be used towards a student’s pilot certificate, mechanical degree or anything aviation related. It said this new bursary program has been in development for a couple of years and it’s in honour of two late local aviation enthusiasts.

“Lloyd Richards and Ken Alexander: they were general aviation leaders in the community and as well they were also community minded,” said Bill Keegan, chair of the club’s bursary program.

Chenier is proof that all the effort put into the Young Eagles Program has come full circle. Club officials said the investment in students’ education will pay off in the long run to bolster a sector in need of employees.

The club president Rob Racine said it’s also welcoming new members.

“You don't have to be a pilot, you could be someone that just likes to look at airplanes, be around airplanes,” said Racine.

“We have different activities throughout the year.”

Any other aviation students from Timmins can apply for a bursary by emailing the club and be sure to include information about one’s community involvement.