Established in 1975, the Institute of Aviation was "born out of a need for Christian pilot training in Canada. Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) asked Dr. Robert Thompson, a member of the Canadian and American Board of that agency, to investigate the possibility of starting an aviation program at a Christian institute in Canada. After making a study of the issue he recommended that Trinity Western would be the ideal college to offer such a program
Mr. Terry Norr, a local and experienced pilot who had served with World Vision and Sudan Interior Mission in famine relief programs in Ethiopia, was recommended to head up the Institute. The Board of TWC, after consultation with MAF and Jungle Aviation and Radio Service (JAARS), the air and communication arm of Wycliffe Bible Translators, gave approval to the program.
When the first semester of aviation was offered, only a half dozen students were expected to apply. There were thirty applicants." By year four of the program enrolment was limited to 50 students.
All ground school was taught at the College as well as an introduction to airframe and engine maintenance. The flight training was originally contracted with Skyway Air Services of Langley, which provided flight instruction and aircraft used in the program.
Source: Trinity Western World - Summer Aviation Issue (1979)

In the early 1980s, the Institute undertook the purchase of several aircraft, which allowed the school to provide training using their own instructors on their own airplanes, while still maintaining a positive business relationship with Skyway. In the early 1990s the Institute moved from the Langley Airport to Abbotsford.
At its peak, the Institute owned seven aircraft - and leased two more - and employed some fifteen people, including six or seven full-time instructors, the same number of part-time instructors, two full-time office staff, and one or two part-time dispatchers.
Source: telephone conversation with Ivan Pettigrew, October 1 2005

Program Directors included Terry Norr (1975-1979); Dave Olson (1979-1980); Gary McLeod (1980-1982); Arne Olson (1982- ca. 1986) and Ivan Pettigrew (1987-1993)

In September, 1993, Trinity Western University entered into a co-operative agreement with Coastal Pacific Aviation and the University College of the Fraser Valley (Abbotsford, B.C.) for students who wished to combine aviation training with academic studies towards a university degree (baccalaureate) or an Associate of Arts diploma.

"Aviation subjects are taught by Coastal Pacific instructors. University academic courses are taught by professors at Trinity Western University. Students will study part time at Trinity Western University while completing two years of aviation course work at Coastal Pacific. The Aviation program credits will be transferable towards either an Associate of Arts diploma (two years of study) or a bachelor's degree (four years of study) at Trinity Western. In the latter case, [aviation courses listed in the calendar] form a special concentration in Aviation.
The Aviation program through Coastal Pacific is designed to cover the academic and flying components essential to the preparation of commercial pilots for entry-level positions in the aviation industry. The program consists of training for the commercial licence followed by advanced training, generally including the multi-engine and instrument training, but with an optional flight instructor rating. The program is rigorous and requires a high standard of academic and flight performance. Program requirements are meant to protect the applicant's investment by enhancing the professional environment in which he or she trains.
It should be noted that responsibility for ensuring the academic quality of Coastal Pacific's aviation courses rests with the University College of the Fraser Valley, not Trinity Western. Similarly, all liability exposure for this aviation program rests solely with Coastal Pacific/University College of the Fraser Valley. Trinity Western merely grants 30 sem. hrs. of transfer credit for Coastal Pacific's aviation program towards either its Associate of Arts diploma in Aviation or one of its baccalaureate degrees.
The program objective is to develop pilots who are well-trained in the manual skills required to fly an aircraft, who have a comprehensive academic background to help them understand complex aircraft systems, and who have the interpersonal skills to work effectively in a team."
Source: http://www.twu.ca/ac/20052006/SpecialProgramsInformation.aspx (accessed July 2005)