Aircraft maintenance program soars to new heights with industry-accredited certifications

The purpose of this article is to familiarize students with the certifications and benefits of a career in the aerospace industry through Centennial College’s Aviation Technician – Aircraft Maintenance (8112) program.

In two years, your career will take off from the Aviation program at Centennial College. Become a reputable engineering professional in the Canadian Aerospace industry. The Toronto-based college offers the Aviation Technician – Aircraft Maintenance (8112) program to individuals who enjoy tinkering and analyzing mechanical systems.

The prestigious program has earned points from industry experts:

• It is affiliated with the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Association and the Aircraft Electronics Association.

• The Canadian Council for Aviation & Aerospace accredited this program which means that graduates can apply directly to become a certified Aircraft Maintenance Technicians.

• The preparatory courses and shop practical experience strictly abides with industry practices and standards, which will lead to the Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence.

Centennial is unique with its own hangar, where students will get on-the-job training while staying on site at the college. Professor Louis Anderson believes in this hands-on approach and says, “We have a fairly large hanger right here in central Toronto, which a lot of people are unaware of. And it’s very unique that we offer that in this facility.” Jamie Milks, Program Coordinator, adds, “We have over 200 mandatory performance tasks that every student has to complete before they can leave here, so it’s fairly extensive.” The program is then taken into account by Transport Canada and considers this as 18 months of experience and technical examination credit towards the Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence.

Students enrolled in the Aviation Technician – Aircraft Maintenance program train and complete aircraft technician courses from an extensive curriculum, with nine courses for the first two semesters, loaded with theoretical teachings required to understand how to manipulate engines and controls during shop sessions. They will learn about the correct tools and processes to use during various maintenance procedures while keeping health and safety in mind. In addition to the heavy course load, students are expected to be mature and disciplined with such high-risk demands from the work area. Only those who graduate with less than 5% absenteeism rate are eligible to acquire the Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence.

“The graduate from this program will go out and become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. That’s the person that will certify after inspections, any work that was performed on the aircraft, and many of them will perform the work as well on the aircraft,” Milks said in an interview. The nature of this career is that plenty of hands-on experience is required to break into the industry. Many workers obtained aircraft technician training from college, earning an average of over $60,000 per year, according to Service Canada. In addition, employers look for applicants who are savvy with aircraft systems and have good manual dexterity and communication skills. Centennial College sets a high bar in admissions for qualified students for the Aviation Technician – Aircraft Maintenance program, and it produces capable and competent graduates, ready to work in air transportation, aerospace manufacturing and other relevant sectors for aircraft maintenance engineers.

Author details: Jason White emphasizes on the strict rules of entering and studying in the Aviation Technician – Aircraft Maintenance program while reaping its great rewards, with professional accreditations and excellent career standings.

A Breakdown Of an Important Aviation Program

When future aircraft maintenance technicians want to earn the credential they need to have a successful career in the aviation field and gain the experience to make them employable upon graduation, there’s only one aviation program to consider. Centennial College’s Aviation Technician – Aircraft Maintenance offering takes two years to complete, results in an Ontario College Diploma and offers students the know-how they need to work with manufacturers, airlines, aircraft, electronic and avionics maintenance companies and other Canadian aviation operations. Additionally, grads of this aircraft technician training are prepared to seek employment in non-aircraft related areas of certain repair and manufacturing industries.

Let’s take a look at how this aviation technician program beaks down.

• The program was crafted to meet the demands of Toronto’s sizeable aviation community.

• Due to its reputation, students of this aviation program enjoy the advantage of guest speakers and panelists sharing their wealth of knowledge and expertise.

• Through these partnerships, students and the college are provided with aircraft, components, technical resources, and access to industry information and the latest technology.

• All aviation technician courses are carried out from Ashtonbee Campus, which houses a functional aircraft hangar. Licensed by Transport Canada, it has a fleet of 10 aircraft that is used as a training aid by the aircraft technician training students.

• Topics covered within this aircraft technician training include aircraft maintenance, power plant structures, inspections, troubleshooting, mechanical, electrical and electronic applications. Students also acquire other sciences related to aircraft maintenance.

• Specific Aviation program courses include varying levels of Avionics Fundamentals, Materials and Processes, Maintenance Procedures, Turbine Engines and other such as Aircraft Inspection, Aircraft Instruments, Theory of Flight. Airframe Systems and many others.

• Graduation from the Aviation program requires students to complete 200 tasks and obtain a minimum C grade in all courses.

• Because the Aviation program is Transport Canada approved, students are accredited by the organization granted that they meet attendance requirements, project completion requirements and attain 70 percent in each course. Successful graduates who meet the accreditation requirements are eligible for an 18-month experience credit and technical examination credit towards the regulatory requirements for issue of a Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence. 

• This aviation program holds the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace accreditation and recognition towards meeting the basic training requirements for CCAA occupational trade certification as an avionics maintenance technician.

• Centennial College’s aircraft technician training is also affiliated with the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Association and the Aircraft Electronics Association.

• Aviation program applicants are required to have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older); and English 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent and Math 11M or U or 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent.

• Aviation program grads may be eligible to participate in an articulated program with selected universities. These partnerships, in this case with British Columbia Institute of Technology, may allow graduates to apply academic credit towards further study.

Aircraft Technician Courses Result in Important Career

With millions of people using airplanes as their preferred mode of transportation, those with aircraft technician training are in high demand. That’s because these professionals are charged with a wide range of responsibilities that ensure planes are safe to take to the skies. Among the areas in which they must be skilled are: aircraft maintenance, power plant structures, inspections, troubles hooting, mechanical, electrical and electronic applications. Additionally, those with aircraft technician training repair a wide range of electrical and mechanical systems within an aircraft, including: hydraulics, fuels, environmental systems, engines, surface controls and undercarriage systems, and the aircraft’s frame and external skin. Rounding out responsibilities are familiarities of aviation maintenance servicing practices and procedures as well as aviation regulation requirements.

All of these skills are taught through Centennial College’s aircraft technician courses within the two-year Aviation Technician – Aircraft Maintenance program. And as a result, students not only gain an Ontario College Diploma, but are also prepared to work with airlines/operators (Air Canada, Kelowna Flight craft, Great Slave Helicopters); manufacturers (Bombardier, Magellan Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney); military (Department of National Defense); aviation training (Flight Safety Canada Aviation); repair and overhaul (SPAR Aerospace, IMP Group); and aviation equipment/avionics (MC2, Wright Instruments). In addition, aircraft technician training graduates are prepared to seek employment in non-aircraft related areas of certain repair and manufacturing industries

To apply for this aircraft technician training, applicants are required to present proof of completed of at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They must also have finished 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. 

The aircraft technician training is facilitated from Centennial College’s transportation training hub, Ashtonbee Campus. This location boasts an aircraft hangar with a fleet of planes on which students can practice. As such, courses include much hands-on practice and to graduate, students must complete 200 performance tasks. Students also need to obtain a minimum C grade in all courses for graduation. 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.

Specific aircraft technician courses include: Piston Engines and Propellers, Theory of Flight, Aircraft Publications, Avionics Fundamentals, Turbine Engines, Aircraft Instruments, Power Generation and Distribution, Rotary Wing Controls and many others.

This aircraft technician training holds Transport Canada (TC) accreditation, which is provided to graduates who meet attendance requirements, project completion requirements and attain 70 percent in each course. In addition, successful graduates who meet the accreditation requirements are eligible for an 18-month experience credit and technical examination credit towards the regulatory requirements for issue of a Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Engineer License. The program also holds the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace accreditation and recognition towards meeting the basic training requirements for CCAA occupational trade certification as an avionics maintenance technician. Lastly, qualified graduates may also be eligible to participate in an articulated program with selected universities. These partnerships may allow graduates to apply academic credit towards further study. The aircraft technician training program’s partner is British Columbia Institute of Technology (Technology Management degree).

Gain mastery in Aviation through extensive Aircraft Technician Training from Centennial College

Whether your dream is to pilot aircraft or work hands-on as a maintenance or avionics technician, colleges are a great place to receive technical training and watch your career take off.

As you begin your search for a good post-secondary program, you’ll discover that each school has its own specialty. For aviation programs the most well known and the largest training facility in Canada is Centennial College’s Ashtonbee campus. Whether you love working with your hands and specializing in the mechanical components of Aircraft Technician Training, trouble shooting their electronic systems, or jumping into the front seat of the cockpit and piloting the plane, their specialized program offerings can help you get there.

Aircraft Maintenance
How many students can boast that they study in a fully equipped hangar? If you’re a student of this program you can. Centennial’s Aircraft Maintenance program is designed for students who are interested in specializing in the mechanical components of aircraft like hydraulics, fuel systems and undercarriage systems. The hands-on learning offered in these programs is invaluable and prepares graduates to be career ready. Aircraft Technician Course program also maintains a partnership with the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Graduates of this program may be eligible to apply their college credits and earn a Technology Management Degree from BCIT in less time.

Avionics Maintenance
If you prefer to work on the electronic equipment onboard aircraft that is responsible for electrical power, navigation and radar, the avionics program will deliver everything you need to know. Through in-class instruction and hands-on work in the on-site hangar, you’ll learn how electronics systems relate to aircraft through courses such as, power generation and distribution and avionics installation practices.

Pilot Training
Centennial’s School of Transportation Pilot Training program immerses you into the flight world from day one, offering in-flight lessons that prepare you to work as a private and commercial pilot. The program is offered jointly with Durham College’s Flight Centre in Oshawa and balances 200 hours of in-flight instruction with 330 hours of ground school to prepare you for the aviation world. You’ll pilot Cessna 150, 172 and Piper Aztec aircraft during your studies that will prepare you to access careers with aircraft manufacturers, major airlines and the Department of National Defense.

Benefits

Accreditations help you get noticed in any industry, the aviation world is no exception. Transport Canada and the Canadian Council accredit the Aircraft Maintenance and Avionics Maintenance programs for Aviation and Aerospace. Graduates who maintain a minimum of 70 per cent in all of their courses are eligible to earn an 18-month experience credit towards the issue of a Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence, and the basic training requirements for CCAA occupational trade certification.

If you are interested in finding out more about the aviation programs offered at this college and how they can help launch your aviation career, you can discover more information here.