Do you have what it takes to repair, test and troubleshoot complex electronic navigation, guidance and communications systems, or the instrumentation and flight controls of an aircraft? Centennial College's Aviation Technician – Avionics Maintenance program will give you the skills and knowledge to do just that.

Why this program?

The Aviation Technician – Avionics Maintenance program is geared to the needs of the aircraft industry and will give you the essential theoretical knowledge and the practical skills to apply that knowledge on real aircraft and aircraft systems, under the focused direction of faculty. Not only do these faculty members bring years of industry experience and extensive technical expertise to the program, but they're also deeply committed to your success and to making this a highly desirable program.

In fact, aviation industry giant Bombardier named Centennial College as its trainer of choice in the manufacturing and maintenance of its aerospace products. Program partners and supporters, meanwhile, are members of Centennial College's advisory committees and participate as guest speakers and panelists, sharing their wealth of knowledge and expertise. That means you'll not only learn first-hand where your career can take you, but you'll also receive invaluable insight from those who have shaped the industry. As a program graduate, you'll already be in a perfect position to begin your career working with industry leaders.

What can I expect?

The best way to learn a skill is hands-on. At the School of Transportation, you'll have access to a variety of dedicated aviation labs and shops, including a large and impressive aircraft hangar, where you'll work on a variety of systems and aircraft. By the time you graduate, you'll be well prepared for work as a bench technician in avionics-approved shops at a variety of aviation organizations.

You'll learn the essential theory and broad base of knowledge for complex electronics and electrical systems related to the navigation, guidance, communications, instrumentation and flight controls of an aircraft. Working in labs, shops and the aircraft hangar, you'll practice the tasks and skills associated with shop bench work, and the testing, troubleshooting, repair, removal and installation of electrical, electronic and instrumentation systems.

The importance of the aircraft maintenance engineer — who is responsible for the certification of aircraft electrical and electronic systems after the completion of maintenance, inspection, repair or replacement — can't be understated. To that end, this program will be comprehensive and will require you to be dedicated and focused throughout the learning process.

What will I have when I’m done?

Diploma

When you graduate from this program, you'll have a coveted diploma from a highly respected college, with the required knowledge and skills needed for a career in organizations that include general aviation, manufacturing, repair, overhaul and airlines.

Accreditation

Both the federal government licensing body, Transport Canada (TC), and the national aviation sector council, the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA) accredit the Aviation Technician – Avionics Maintenance program, which will also provide you with the basic training required to become a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (AME).

If you meet the accreditation standards, you'll be exempt from writing the TC technical examinations for issue of an AME licence and will be granted 18 months experience credit toward the issue of an AME “E” rated licence. You'll also be recognized as having met the basic training requirements for CCAA occupational trade certification as an avionics maintenance technician (AVT).

The passing grade for all technical courses is 60 per cent. To be eligible for accreditation, you'll be required to meet the following mandatory grading, attendance, and practical performance requirements in all technical courses:

• 95 per cent attendance level (over the two-year program)
• 70 per cent (B) grade in all technical courses
• Successfully complete all mandatory practical tasks

Degree credit

As a graduate, you may be eligible to participate in pathway programs with partnering institutions or articulated programs with select universities. These programs will allow you to receive degree and academic credit for your work at Centennial College and apply that credit toward further study (e.g., Technology Management degree).

Companies Offering Jobs

Air Canada, Kelowna Flight craft, Porter Airlines, Air Georgian, WestJet, Air Transat, Jazz, First Air, Bombardier, Magellan Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Messier Dowty, Transport Canada, IMP Group, Mid Canada Mod Centre, Kitchener Aero, Cascade Aerospace, Department of National Defense, Flight Safety Canada Aviation

Program Highlights

• The Avionics Maintenance Technician program is geared directly to the needs of the aircraft industry.
• The program is structured to run in seven-week blocks, allowing you to concentrate your studies on a set number of courses within that time frame. At the end of the training block you'll complete your final test(s), have a one-week break period and then move on to the next set of training courses.
• If you don't meet any or all of the accreditation criteria, you may still be eligible to graduate from the program provided you successfully complete all graduation requirements.

• Due to the technical nature of the curriculum, you must be able to read, write and comprehend the English language at a level exceeding basic conversational English.
• Classes may run between the hours of 7:30 am to 8:30 pm

Career Outlook

• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)
• Avionics maintenance technician (AVT)
• Avionics/Electrical/Electronic mechanic or technician
• Electrical systems technician
• Aviation mechanic
• Aviation Inspector

Education Pathways

Successful graduates of this Avionics Maintenance - Aviation Technician Diploma program have the opportunity to apply their credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are the degrees from partnering institutions that are available for this program.