Tuesday, July 30, 2013

The Runway to Becoming an Aircraft Technician

In order to take on the all-important responsibilities of an Aviation Technician - a position that includes a wide range of the aviation and aerospace sectors that together work to keep aircraft safe, serviced and airworthy - one must attend a post-secondary aircraft technician training program. For example, at Centennial College’s Aviation Technician - Aircraft Maintenance, students learn a variety of skills that include: overhaul, repair, inspection or modification of an aircraft as well as the installation or removal of a component from an aircraft or aircraft subassembly. With these skills students can apply for positions with aircraft maintenance companies, airlines, manufacturers and other Canadian aviation operations. Additionally, Centennial College’s aircraft technician training qualifies grads to seek employment in non-aircraft related areas of certain repair and manufacturing industries.

Let’s take a detailed look at how the aircraft technician courses at Centennial College take students from novices to experts in two short years. First and foremost, this offering employs a sensible approach that sees students spend a significant amount of time on practical application in labs. In fact, before students can graduate they must complete over 200 maintenance tasks that include knowledge of routine maintenance, servicing, inspection, diagnostics and repair of aircraft engines, airframe and components, as well as performing flight-line activities. Meanwhile, systems covered in the aircraft technician courses include hydraulics, fuel, engines, environmental control, electrical, landing gear and flight controls. General knowledge of aviation regulations and associated processes round out this aircraft technician training.

Secondly, all practical applications are carried out at Centennial College’s extensive facilities that include a fully functional aircraft hangar, licensed by Transport Canada, complete with a “fleet” of 10 aircraft. Guiding students through their aircraft technician courses - among which are Safety and Human Factors, Piston Engines and Propellers, Theory of Flight, Aircraft Publications, Electrical Fundamentals, and more - are faculty members who are highly skilled, with years of experience and extensive technical expertise, with a deep commitment to the program, its students and their success.

Aside from completing 200 maintenance tasks, students of this aircraft technician training must also obtain a minimum C grade in all courses in order to graduate. However, 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. The program is both Transport Canada approved and Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council certified as a recognized aircraft maintenance-training program.

Students interested in Centennial College’s aircraft technician training must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Education Development or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Applicants are also required to possess compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent and Math 11M or U or 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent.

Emma is the author of this article, in which she writes about the benefits of Centennial College’s aircraft technician training, including its practical approach.

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