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Overview

The aviation industry operates with precision, complexity, and specialized knowledge that can be difficult to navigate without proper guidance. Runway to Success bridges that gap by giving you the tools, language, and real-world context to confidently step into the world of aviation.

You’ll explore how airports and airlines operate, get familiar with key roles across the industry, and build confidence using aviation terminology. Topics include regulatory compliance, day-to-day operations, safety and security practices. You’ll also learn about international aviation rules, and emerging technologies that are shaping the future of the industry. Whether you're aiming for a non-technical aviation role or looking for a solid understanding of how the aviation ecosystem functions, this course offers practical, career-focused knowledge you can build on.

This online course is fully self-paced and can be completed in an average of eight weeks, based on approximately five hours of study per week. Six knowledge checks throughout the course ensure understanding before you progress.

By the end of this course, you won't just understand how aviation works; you'll know how to talk about it, navigate its systems, and see your place within it. You'll also develop the mindset aviation demands — integrity, accountability, clear communication, and adaptability — essential for addressing evolving technologies, regulations, and operational challenges.

This course is ideal if you:

  • you aspire to work in aviation with no prior industry experience, seeking entry into operations management, safety and security, strategy and planning, or other roles
  • are transitioning from another sector such as oil and gas, logistics, warehousing, facilities, sales, retail, or IT into aviation careers
  • are a student or recent graduate looking to build career readiness in the exciting and growing aviation sector
  • seek accessible aviation knowledge without a long-term commitment.

Meet our subject matter expert: Alexander Ulep

A smiling man with short hair, wearing a navy blue sweater, poses for a selfie against a bright backdrop. Alexander Ulep brings over 30 years of aviation experience in aircraft maintenance, quality assurance, and safety management across Canadian and international operations. Licensed by Transport Canada as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer with "E" rating, he has led audits, training initiatives, and regulatory compliance projects. Alexander developed our AVCE 001 Runway to Success course, leveraging his extensive technical and supervisory expertise. He holds graduate degrees in Public Administration and Technology Management, combining practical aviation knowledge with educational excellence.

To succeed in this foundational, non-technical course, we recommend having at a minimum a high school diploma and basic computer skills for online learning. Any work experience is helpful but not required.

Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be able to:

  • map out the aviation ecosystem, highlighting the major types of operations, regulatory frameworks, and industry participants involved in supporting safe, efficient, and connected air transportation
  • recognize the key regulatory bodies, laws, and frameworks that govern aviation, and explain how they shape the safety, security, and operation of airline and airport systems in Canada and beyond
  • identify a range of non-technical career paths in aviation and match them with relevant skills, functions, and areas of specialization across operational, business, and support roles
  • identify the primary functional areas of airport operations management and explain how they contribute to safe, efficient, and sustainable airport environments
  • identify the primary functions that support commercial aviation operations and explain how these functions work together to ensure safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction across airline services
  • identify key behaviours and mindsets that support safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement in aviation environments.

To request a course outline, contact ConEdAdvising@sait.ca.

Upcoming dates

Select an available section and add it to your cart. When you're ready, proceed to check out to sign into your student account and complete your registration.

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Registration closes seven days before the start date for on-campus, online scheduled, and blended courses, and one day before the start date for online self-paced courses.

After you've completed this course

Upon successful completion of this course, you'll receive a shareable digital badge. You'll also be able to self-print a proof of completion document from your Continuing Education student account.

Costs

Textbook and reading list

Included in the purchase of this course, you’ll receive access to online course content in Brightspace (D2L).

Technology

To be successful in this course, you’ll need:

Financial support

Financial opportunities are available to help pay for your course fees. Learn more about how to reduce your education or training costs with available awards, bursaries, loans and grants, including the Canada Alberta Productivity Grant.

Learn more
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Train your team

Interested in group training opportunities for this course? Tell us about your organization's needs, and one of our training consultants will contact you within one business day.

Contact Corporate Training

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SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.

Visit Natoysopoyiis Resource Centre