Monday, September 6, 2010

Become an Electronics Expert of the Skies as an Aviation Technician in Avionics Maintenance

Some of the most important aspects of an airplane include electrical power distribution and control, navigation, flight instrumentation, communication and radar. Therefore, before a plane is cleared for takeoff, these features must be inspected, tested and double-checked to ensure that they are working correctly. The people assigned to this responsibility are Avionics Maintenance Technicians.

To become an Avionics Maintenance Tech, you must be comfortable working with your hands, technically skilled and be able to effectively use computers. You must also have a strong memory and the ability to quickly and accurately diagnose aircraft malfunctions. The quickness of the job is crucial, as you will work under pressure to meet critical deadlines. Lastly, Avionics Maintenance Technicians must be able to work in a small team or individually. Therefore, leadership skills and the ability to follow orders are essential.

All of these skills are taught in Centennial College’s Aviation Technician – Avionics Maintenance program. Spanning two years in length and resulting in an Ontario College Diploma, the program covers everything from basic electronics to sophisticated avionic systems used in modern aircraft. The emphasis is based on the aircraft’s various electronic systems. There are, however, prerequisites to enter the program. Centennial College expects students to posses at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or General Education Development or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Students must also have completed the compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent and Math 11M or U or 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent.

Designed to prepare bench technicians for avionic-approved shops and aircraft manufacturing companies, the Aviation Technician – Avionics Maintenance program is both Transit Canada-approved Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council-certified. Your time in the program is equally split between theory and lab training with shop work on various aircraft. The lab and shop work is performed in a facility that is equipped with all the latest modern tools, which reflect current trends in the industry. The hands-on training is led by faculty members who have years of experience and extensive technical expertise, ensuring that training is geared directly to the needs of the aircraft industry. Another way students gain knowledge is through guest speakers and panelists, who share their real-life stories and expertise. The training in this Aviation Technician – Avionics Maintenance program is rounded out by maintenance servicing practices and procedures, as well as aviation regulation requirements.

To graduate, students must achieve a minimum C grade in all courses. Transport Canada accreditation requires both a minimum B grade in every course and an absentee rate of less than five per cent of the total program hours. Graduates who meet attendance requirements, project completion requirements, and attain 70 per cent in each course, are granted up to 18 months credit towards their Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s licence (E rating).

Upon graduation, students may seek employment aircraft-related businesses (airlines, operators of light aircraft) as well as non-aircraft related electronic industries. In their field, Avionics Technicians maintain engine operations, flight patterns, navigation systems, radio communications, and weather radar systems. In essence, a flight cannot take off without the job of these professionals.

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