Program Overview
You’ve always had a fascination with helicopters, single engine planes, and even jumbo jets. That’s not unusual. After all, flight is humankind's greatest technological achievement! But now you want to be a part of that achievement and play an important role in the aviation industry. A career in Aircraft Maintenance as an Aviation Technician (AMT) will allow you to do just that!
The Aviation Technician - Aircraft Maintenance program will give you knowledge and skills to service, repair and overhaul aircraft components and systems. You will not only keep our aircraft flying but will keep them flying safely!
Why this program?
Centennial College was the first college to be accredited by Canada’s Federal Government Licensing body (Transport Canada) and is also accredited by the National Aviation Sector Council (the Canadian Council for Aviation & Aerospace). With more than 40 years teaching aircraft and avionics maintenance, this school is, without question, the go-to institute if you’re serious about a career in the aviation industry.
Your instructors in this program are some of the best in the business. Each one is highly skilled, with years of industry experience, extensive technical expertise, and a deep commitment to the program and to your success. They will be your guides as you work through the technical theory and your mentors as you work on real aircraft & components in our labs and hangar.
Support for this program from the top players in the industry (your future employers!) is overwhelming. In fact, aviation industry giant Bombardier named Centennial College as its trainer of choice in the manufacturing and maintenance of its aerospace products. The diploma you earn from Centennial is highly coveted in the industry, and as a graduate of this program, you will be well positioned to work with top-tier employers.
This program is designed for your success. As such, many of those same partners and supporters of the program are members of Centennial College's advisory committees and participate as guest speakers and panelists. The wealth of knowledge and expertise they share with you first-hand will not only enhance your learning potential in this program but will give you valuable insight on the direction your career can take.
What can I expect?
The Aviation Technician - Aircraft Maintenance program will provide you with an understanding of the different areas of aircraft maintenance including general aviation, business and corporate aviation, and charter and transport category aviation. It is designed to put you inside a hangar where you can apply the theoretical knowledge learned in a practical hands-on environment.
Working in our modern labs and impressive aircraft hangar, you will learn hands-on by working on both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Top-shelf instructors will walk you through techniques as you work on components like airframes, engines, electrical and hydraulic systems, propellers, avionics equipment and aircraft instruments. You will also learn the essential theory and base of knowledge that will serve as a launching pad for growing career.
The Aviation Technician - Aircraft Maintenance program is a robust aircraft mechanic’s program that will provide you with the basic training required in order to become a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME – “M” rating). As the holder of an AME license, you will be qualified to certify (or release) aircraft for flight after the completion of maintenance, inspection, repair or modification. The importance of that responsibility cannot be understated. To that end, this program will be comprehensive and will require you to be dedicated and focused throughout this learning process. Please make sure you are aware of the prerequisites for this program on our Admission Requirements page.
What do I have when I’m done?
Diploma
When you graduate from this program, you will have a coveted diploma from a highly respected college, with the required knowledge and skills needed for a career in aircraft maintenance & manufacturing organizations, airlines, engine and component manufacturers, flight training companies, the Canadian Armed Forces, Civil Aviation, and more.
Accreditation
The Aviation Technician – Aircraft Maintenance program is accredited by both the Federal Government Licensing body (Transport Canada, TC) and the National Aviation Sector Council (the Canadian Council for Aviation & Aerospace, CCAA); and will have provided you with the basic training required to become a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
If you have met the accreditation standards, you will be exempt from having to write the TC technical examinations for issue of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Licence and will be granted 18 months experience credit toward the issue of an AME “M” rated license. You will also be recognized as having met the basic training requirements for CCAA occupational trade certification as an AMT (aircraft maintenance technician).
The passing grade for all technical courses is 60%. To be eligible for accreditation, you must meet the following mandatory grading, attendance, and practical performance requirements:
- maintain a 95% attendance level (over the 2-year program)
- maintain a 70% (B) grade in all technical courses
- successfully complete all mandatory practical tasks
Degree credit
As a graduate, you may be eligible to participate in articulated programs with select universities. These programs allow you to receive a degree and academic credit for your work at Centennial College and apply that credit toward further study (e.g., Technology Management degree.)
Program Highlights
As a graduate of the Aviation Technician – Aircraft Maintenance program, you may pursue a number of careers within the aviation industry working with aircraft maintenance & manufacturing organizations, airlines, corporate/cargo/general aviation and flight training organizations, as well as the Canadian Armed Forces and Government – in a variety of roles.
Career Options, Academic Pathways and Partners
Companies Offering Jobs
Air Canada, Kelowna Flight craft, Great Slave Helicopters, Porter Airlines, Air Georgian, WestJet, Air Transat, Jazz, First Air, Toronto Airways, Brampton Flying club, Ottawa Flying Club, Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney, Messier Dowty, Vintage Wings, Transport Canada, IMP Group, Cascade Aerospace, Brant Aero, Department of National Defense
Educational Partners
Qualified graduates may be eligible to participate in an articulated program with select universities. These partnerships allow you to apply academic credit towards further study.
The Aviation Technician – Aircraft Maintenance program's educational partner is British Columbia Institute of Technology, where you will be able to work towards a Technology Management degree.
Professional Associations
- Ontario Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Association
Accreditation
The programs are recognized by Transport Canada (TC) and Canadian Council for Aviation & Aerospace (CCAA) accreditation. Students that meet accreditation standards are:
- Exempt from having to write the TC technical examinations for issue of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME),
- Granted 18 months experience credit towards the issue of a TC AME “M” rated license, and
- Recognized as having met the basic training requirements for CCAA occupational trade certification as an AMT (aircraft maintenance technician).
To be eligible for accreditation students must meet mandatory grading, attendance and practical performance requirements which include an absenteeism rate of less than five percent (of the total program hours), a 70% (B) grade in every course and successful completion of all mandatory practical tasks.
Career Outlook
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)
- Aircraft maintenance technician (AMT)
- Airframe and power plant (A&P) mechanic or technician
- Aerospace mechanic
- Aircraft engine mechanic or technician
- Aviation mechanic
- Aviation Inspector
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
To register for the Aviation Technician – Aircraft Maintenance program (#8112), you must have:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older)
- English Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent (minimum grade required) or take the Centennial College English Skills Assessment for Admission
Mathematics Grade 11 or 12 M or U, or Math 12 C, or equivalent (minimum grade required) or take a Centennial College Math Skills Assessment for Admission
Additional Requirements
Transfer Credit
Due to Transport Canada accreditation requirements, transfer credit is not available for Aviation Technician programs.
Safety Requirements
Students are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (clear safety glasses, cotton coveralls and CSA approved safety boots/shoes) for all practical shop, lab and hangar activities.
Semester Requirements
Students who are unsuccessful in 3 or more courses within a semester are not permitted to continue in the program and must speak with their Student Advisor.
How to Apply
1. Apply Online
Are you an International Student? Apply directly to Centennial College here.
If you are applying through the Second Career Strategy, please apply at the Employment Training Centre for Second Career (Progress Campus). Second Career Strategy is a funding initiative for those who have been laid-off and are in need of training. For more information go to Second Career Strategy.
If you have previously attended a full-time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.
All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee of $95 must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.
2. Submit Documents
Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.
Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.
Applicants who attended school outside of Canada: If you are submitting transcripts to meet admission requirements, you must have the transcripts assessed by an independent credential assessment agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS).
For more information go to Submitting your Transcripts.
3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission
Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.
You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.
You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.
When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.
4. Pay Fees
Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.
You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement, or your seat may be given to another applicant.
5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)
Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.
Fall registration begins mid-July
January registration begins mid-December
May registration begins mid-April
Your web-registration will not open if:
You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission, and you have not met the conditions of your offer.
Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.
Tuition and Fees
Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2017.
| Student |
Tuition (2 Semesters) |
Incidental Fees |
Total |
| Canadian |
$4,483.50 |
$1,053.00 |
$5,536.50 |
| International |
$16,583.00 |
$2,336.00 |
$18,919.00 |
