Aircraft Maintenance Engineer - Structures

Learn the necessary skills to seek employment in the aircraft maintenance trade, specific to the structure of aircraft. Geared towards those with little or no previous experience in the field, this program equips participants to apprentice as Aircraft Maintenance Engineers.

 

 

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Female student takes a break from repairing the internal structure of a plane

Campus

  • Kelowna
View training schedule
Legend:
  • Full program offered
  • Partial program offered

Credential

Certificate

Delivery options

Full-Time

  • International students eligible

Tuition and fees

2023-24: $8,263.30

Program details

If you have any questions about how a course or program is delivered, you can check the Trades website, email the Department Chair or email the Trades & Apprenticeship office:

Apprenticeship: apprenticeship@okanagan.bc.ca
Foundation and General Interest: trades@okanagan.bc.ca


The program consists of 37 weeks (1062 hours) of full-time studies. Approximately 50 percent of the day is spent on theory discussions in a classroom setting, followed by hands-on practical training in the shops located in OC’s Aerospace Campus at Kelowna International Airport. The program follows a national set of standards and is approved by Transport Canada. Upon successful completion, the graduate will receive an Okanagan College certificate. Transport Canada also grants graduates of this program ten months experience credit towards the 36 month experience requirement. Upon completion of the required total work experience and successful completion of a regulatory exam you will qualify for a Transport Canada AME "S" Licence.


There are a number of physical activities involved in training for a skilled trade, please review the physical activities of the program and the recommended student characteristics as listed below. Okanagan College strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience disability related academic barriers (including mental health, chronic or temporary medical conditions), please contact Accessibility Services at your campus so that you can privately discuss options.

Physical activities of this trade:

  • Activities require lifting and carrying tools, supplies, materials and equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.
  • Lift, carry, hold and operate hand, air and power tools from floor to above shoulders
  • Stand on concrete and asphalt for extended periods of time
  • Not limited to drilling, cutting, filing, sanding, sewing, painting, riveting, shearing, hammering, shoring, jacking, sawing, nailing, lifting, sweeping, cleaning, and towing large aircraft.
  • Learn and work in both indoor and outdoor venues, through all seasonal challenges
  • Activities may be required to work in awkward, uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time.
  • Use of solvents, cleaners, paints, adhesives
  • Working around loud, moving aircraft
  • Working at heights that exceed 6 feet

Recommended student characteristics:

  • Good general health and respiratory condition
  • Strength and stamina to handle physical work
  • Ability to tolerate loud noise and vibration from riveting tools
  • Ability to work around loud, moving aircraft
  • Comfortable working at heights exceeding 6 feet. 
  • Good manual dexterity to manipulate small nuts, bolts, fittings, and components
  • Eye sight; must be correctable to 20/20 with good line, form and depth perception.
  • Good manual dexterity.
  • Good hand-eye coordination.
  • Hearing; able to work in a hazardous environment and recognize the dangers of jet engines running and propeller driven aircraft dangers recognizable by sound, as well as be able to communicate complicated instructions in high noise environments.
  • Demonstrate an attitude of safety in the workplace at all times
     

Required textbooks and supplies for students taking the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer S-Licence program (total $155.06):

  • Aircraft Structural Maintenance (Avotek) - $39.49
  • Aviation Mechanic Handbook - $16.29
  • Aircraft Spruce and Specialty - $8.49
  • Training Manual for Structures - $29.00
  • CARS for the AME - $43.00
  • Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Personal Logbook - $18.79

5% GST is not included in price. Price is subject to change.


Online textbooks - free downloads from FAA website:


Other required supplies:

  • Inexpensive math set – compass, dividers, protractor, etc.
  • Lock for locker
  • Combo circle stencil template – Staedtler-Mars from Staples
  • Laptop or tablet to read digital textbooks, capable of downloading and storing PDF’s (400MB.) Minimum 8” colour screen. Tablet preferred. Wireless capable to access manufacture and Transport Canada’s websites. Examples:
    • Apple iPad 32Gig 9.7” screen
    • Lenovo Tab 4
    • Samsung Galaxy Tab E
    • NOTE: Students will use devices in the shop so protective cover and screen are strongly recommended

Government-issued picture ID is required to write the provincial and national exams: driver's licence, photo ID or valid passport. Student ID cards are not acceptable.

Applicants who have not satisfied the Math admission requirement within the last seven years, and/or do not meet the English admission requirement, must write the TEA Math and/or English test. Both of the assessments are online, multiple-choice and timed. Applicants are allotted 1 hour to complete each section (2 hours for both). A practice assessment and study resources are offered to all applicants who register to write the TEA.  Calculators are not allowed while completing the Math section; applicants who are observed to use a calculator of any sort will receive a grade of zero.  Applicants who do not achieve the minimum passing requirement on their initial attempt, are offered a second attempt at no additional cost after a two-week study period. 

Please ensure you write the assessment, and any required re-writes, prior to the deadline for admissions requirements provided by the Registrar’s office. For more information or to register for the Trades Entrance Assessment, click here. Further questions can be directed to the Trades and Apprenticeship office at trades@okanagan.bc.ca.

Please note: Applicants who successfully completed the ABLE test at Okanagan College within the two years prior to application for admission shall have their results accepted as equivalent to the Trades Entrance Assessment. 

The textbook list above was current at the time it was posted and may be used for initial planning purposes. Please check back with the bookstore 2 weeks before your program starts under Current Book List for a final, updated list of book titles and prices, and to order!

Textbooks available online only at OC Campus Store. If you have any questions, call 250-862-5638 or email campusstores@okanagan.bc.ca.

It takes approximately two to three business days to fill the online orders, please be sure to purchase the necessary items prior to the 1st day of class.

AircraftMaintenanceEngineerStructures

Admission requirements

  • B.C secondary school graduation, or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for one year as of the first day of classes.
  • English 11 with minimum 50% or alternatives, or a Trades Entrance Assessment (TEA) reading comprehension score of at least 83%.

  • Math requirement:

    • A minimum of 50% in any of:

      • Pre-calculus Grade 11

      • Foundations of Mathematics Grade 11

      • Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics Grade 11

      • Workplace Mathematics 11

      • Principles of Mathematics 11

      • Applications of Mathematics 11

      • Essentials of Mathematics 11

      • Adult Basic Education MATH 011

      • Adult Basic Education MATH 084 and MATH 085\

      • Adult Basic Education IALG 011

      • Adult Basic Education Math 080
    • Or a minimum of 63% on the Trades Entrance Assessment (TEA) mathematics test. Test scores are only good for two (2) years.
    • Applicants who have not satisfied the Math requirement within the last seven (7) years must write the TEA Mathematics test and must receive a minimum of 63%
  • Good colour vision and an interest in mechanics are recommended.

Program outline

Term 1

(16 weeks)
AVST 100 - Introduction to Aviation Structures
AVST 101 - Metal A/C Construction 1
AVST 102 - Metal A/C Construction 2

Term 2

(16 weeks)
AVST 200 - Special Processes/Practices
AVST 201 - Composite Fabrication/Repair
AVST 202 - Damage Assessment/Repair 1

Term 3

(5 weeks)
AVST 300 - Damage Assessment/Repair 2

A minimum grade of 70% is required in every course to complete the program.

Attendance:

The attendance policy for the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Category 'S' (Structures) program differs from other OC programs and is regulated by Transport Canada. In compliance with Canadian Aviation Regulation Standard 566:

(A) students having missed more than 5 percent of the course through absences, shall not qualify for experience credit from a basic training course;

(C) a student may make up the lost time which is in excess of 5 percent through documented supplementary studies, equivalent to that missed from the original program to qualify for experience credit.

Additional information

View the official Calendar details and policies
Learn more about the department
View the Tuition and fees page

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