Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Category E (Electronics)

at British Columbia Institute of Technology - Aerospace Technology Campus Canada

BCIT, one of Canada’s largest aviation training schools, and Pacific Flying Club, one of Western Canada’s premier flight-training schools, have combined their resources and expertise to offer a unique training opportunity for men and women who wish to become airline pilots with a strong skill set of aviation industry knowledge. It is a fully integrated program that combines flight training with industry-focused academic training.

BCIT, one of Canada’s largest aviation training schools, Pacific Flying Club, and Chinook Helicopters Ltd. have joined together their experience and expertise to offer a unique training opportunity for men and women who wish to become commercial rotary-wing pilots.

This fully integrated program brings fixed and rotary-wing flight training together with industry-focused academic training to provide learners with a strong set of aviation industry skills and knowledge. BCIT, Pacific Flying Club, and Chinook Helicopters are closely tied to the Aerospace Industry of Canada, Air Transport Association of Canada, the British Columbia Aviation Council, and the Canada General Aviation Association.

Pacific Flying Club (PFC) has been training pilots for over 50 years with a modern fleet of aircraft and simulator equipment. PFC is one of the premier flight training schools in Canada with students attending training from across Canada and around the world. PFC is located at Boundary Bay Airport in Delta, British Columbia.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Technicians are responsible for the servicing, repair and modification of aircraft electronic systems and components. From modern aircraft with sophisticated "fly by wire" flight controls, autopilot, navigation, communication, in-flight entertainment, and monitoring systems, to legacy aircraft undergoing the installation of modern avionics. The Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Category E (Electronics) Technician ensures that all systems are serviceable and fit for flight.

An Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Technician's tasks include

• Ensuring that navigation, communication, and autopilot systems are serviceable according to maintenance manual requirements;
• Performing maintenance, and testing on all aircraft systems, particularly the electrical interface during scheduled and unscheduled inspections;
• Performing installations of avionics equipment and systems on aircraft;
• Troubleshooting and repairing aircraft discrepancies in compliance with manufacturer's standards to expedite return to flight status; Overhauling and/or repairing parts and assemblies.

The Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Category E (Electronics) program consists of 68 weeks of full-time studies. Approximately 50 per cent of the day is spent on theory in a classroom setting, followed by hands-on practical training in the shops and hangar located at BCIT's state of the art Aerospace Technology Campus. The program is designed to follow national standards and is approved by Transport Canada (TC), and the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA).

Successful completion of the program will result in a work experience credit of 18 months of the 48 months required by Transport Canada toward obtaining an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Category E license (AME E). Successful graduation from this program will also qualify you for certification by the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace.

An Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) is responsible for the release (certification) of an aircraft after maintenance, inspection, repair or modification. This is a responsible occupation requiring a high degree of responsibility and skill, which includes:

• Certifying airworthiness of airframe, piston and turbine engines, electrical/electronic systems, propellers and rotary systems;
• Troubleshooting aircraft structural, mechanical or electrical systems to identify problems;
• Adjusting and repairing systems according to specifications, technical drawings, manuals and established procedures;
• Repairing and overhauling aircraft structural, mechanical or electrical systems;
• Installing or modifying aircraft engines, mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, flight control, fuel and pneumatic systems;
• Dismantling airframes, aircraft engines or other aircraft systems for repair, overhaul, inspection and reassembly; and
• Supervising, performing and documenting routine maintenance.

The program consists of 16 continuous months with short breaks in December and August. Approximately 50 per cent of the day is spent on theory discussions in a classroom setting, followed by hands-on practical training in the shops and hangar located at BCIT's state of the art Aerospace Technology Campus. The program is designed to follow a national/international set of standards and is approved by Transport Canada (TC) and the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA). Successful completion of the diploma program will result in an experience credit of 18 months (of the 48 months) required by TC to obtain an AME M license. Successful graduation from this program may qualify you for national certification from TC and CCAA. AME licenses are not granted by Transport Canada until the applicant has reached age 21, and the required work experience is obtained.

Gas Turbine (Jet) Engine Technicians are responsible for inspecting and repairing engines in accordance with exact aviation standards and regulation. It is a challenging occupation requiring a high degree of responsibility and skill, which includes:

• Repairing and overhauling gas turbine engines
• Rebuilding gas turbine engines
• Balancing gas turbine engine components and assemblies
• Testing and troubleshooting gas turbine engines
• Inspecting gas turbine engine components and assemblies.
• Qualified technicians have many opportunities for advanced training and continued career satisfaction.

This program was developed by BCIT, the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA) and the gas turbine engine overhaul industry. It was designed to meet industry's need for basic training and technician certification. Successful completion of this program, plus work experience recorded and certified in a personal logbook, may qualify the candidates for national certification from CCAA.

This Aircraft Gas Turbine Technician program consists of 38 weeks of full-time studies. Approximately 40 per cent of the day is spent on theory discussions in a classroom setting, followed by hands-on practical training in the shops and hangar located at BCIT's state of the art Aerospace Technology Campus. Access to a wide variety of gas turbine engines, extensive use of specialized engine tooling and highly qualified instructors are provided to you in order to help you succeed at becoming a proficient technician capable of inspecting and repairing today's sophisticated, modern gas turbine engines.