College of the Sequoias Aviation

Welcome to College of Sequoias Aviation

College of the Sequoias has a long standing tradition of providing degree and certificate programs and special courses designed to prepare students with the skills and competencies which lead to gainful employment. This program is an extension of that tradition by proactively engaging the helicopter industry to provide a solution to the growing pilot shortage.

The Vietnam era pilots trained by the US Army during the1970’s are aging and retiring faster than can be replaced by the current military. The military has for the past 20 years required pilots to sign lengthy contracts and has been effective in retaining pilots until retirement. As a result, the helicopter industry must rely on civilian flight training schools to meet this demand. Most flight training is done by private civilian flight schools that vary in quality and services for students. The college has consistently demonstrated that a college education and career preparation are not mutually exclusive. This program combines both elements to make graduates employable. We realize prospective pilots need to build hours, which is why we start the training program with flight courses first! Get your ratings first, then instruct while you complete your general education requirements! If you qualify why not get paid to build experience while you complete the degree program? You'll end up with your degree and hundreds of hours of flight time!

The College of Sequoias Professional Pilot program is unique in that it combines the best of all possible worlds. Through a partnership with Blue Sky Aviation, an established, federal aviation administration accredited flight training school; the college can leverage the flight training ability of Blue Sky Aviation while providing the breadth of general education and student services necessary to create a unique program.

Anything a potential pilot can do to make themselves more employable will pay huge dividends! While a degree is not a requirement for most helicopter pilot jobs, it is something else you can do to demonstrate your professionalism and employability.

Blue Sky Aviation has established itself as an industry leader in providing quality flight instruction for professional helicopter pilots. After careful selection and intensive coordination for the past year, we are contracting with Blue Sky Aviation to provide all aspects of this flight training program on behalf of the College of the Sequoias. Rest assured, this program is still under the careful oversight of the college and all instruction must still comply with strict standards of quality established by the California Chancellors Office. We are confident this partnership will offer the students the best flight training experience available today!

Housing and Financial Aid (available to those who qualify)

Housing - All COS Aviation full time academy students have living accommodations available in the training package at the Paso Robles training campus. Student living arrangements are based on two room apartment complex with each student getting a private bedroom..

Convenient living accommodation is located close to public transportation for easy access to the airport.
All housing units are fully furnished with kitchen supplies and all a student needs to bring is the clothes and bedding (Sheets, blanket, pillow)

Rooms are comfortably furnished for your convenience and utility. No television or electronics included (Students are encouraged to bring their own TV/electronics) or often prior students leave them in the apartment. Apartment has laundry facilities on-site, with a pool for relaxing after a long day of study. Housing is approximately 2 miles from the flight training campus, so its a good bike ride or a car is recommended.

We provide roommates for students, so you will be sharing a room with someone that is in the flight trianing program like you. The cost for the apartment is $600 per month (subject to change based on rates), utilities are divided by occupants based on usage. Minimum contract 10 months for COS Aviation students.

Financial Aid - Did we mention that there are a number of financial aid programs available for you? In addition to federal financial aid, we have secured relationships with several lending institutions so you can get the money you need to complete the program and get your career started! Save thousands right off the top with grant-money available to all college students!

Watch one of Blue Sky Aviation's students perform his first solo hover!

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