The Processes and Preparation for an Avionics or Aviation Technician Career

Are you interested in a career as an avionics or aviation technician? Learn what the difference is and how you can make your dream a reality.

There’s something fascinating about watching planes take off or land. That’s why Manchester Airport has a dedicated live plane spotting feed on YouTube, and closer to home, the City of Mississauga teamed up with Pearson Airport to create an airplane viewing platform at Danville Park. If the inner workings of planes interest you as much as seeing them in action, an avionics or aviation technician career may be for you.

To get you started, here is a look at some of the industry players and processes you’ll need to know if you want to go from watching planes take off to helping them do so.

The aerospace and aviation industry in Canada

In 2023, the Canadian aerospace and aviation industry contributed $28.9 billion to the country’s economy and created 218,000 jobs. Not only is aerospace number one in research in development among all Canadian manufacturing industries, but it’s also a global leader in civil flight simulator production, turboprop engine production, and helicopter engine production.

While you may recognize names such as Bombardier and Boeing, you may be less familiar with Transport Canada (TC), the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA), and the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME) Association of Ontario. However, these are three significant organizations that anyone launching an aviation technician career will encounter.

• TC is the federal government department responsible for developing regulations, policies, and services for road, rail, marine, and air transportation in Canada. It’s also the federal licensing body, which means it certifies aircraft maintenance professionals.
• CCAA ensures the Canadian aviation and aerospace industry has enough workers with the right skills to meet industry needs. Its two areas of focus are skills development and industry demographics (supply and demand for skills).
• AMEAO: This is one of six similar organizations across Canada. Its main purpose is to maintain and enhance the professionalism of AMEs and the industry as a whole and to promote AMEs’ rights and privileges.

Preparing for an avionics or aviation technician career

There are several areas of the aviation industry in Canada in which a technician can launch a career, but they all start with acquiring a post-secondary education. At Centennial College, for example, you can choose from four different programs: Aircraft Maintenance — Aviation Technician or Aircraft Maintenance and Management — Aviation Technology and Avionics Maintenance — Aviation Technician or Avionics Maintenance and Management — Aviation Technology. All of these offerings are accredited by Transport Canada and allow graduates exemptions from the relevant licencing requirements.

So, what are the differences between these programs? Essentially, aircraft maintenance techs diagnose and repair mechanical and electrical problems. As a result, these professionals may troubleshoot structural, mechanical, or hydraulic systems to identify and repair problems. Avionics, meanwhile, is concerned with electronic instruments, such as navigation, guidance, and communications systems, as well as instrumentation and flight controls. Avionics specialists may manually test electronic instruments and diagnose and fix bugs in aviation software applications, radio communication systems, and navigational aids.

If you choose the Technician option for these programs, you’ll graduate in two years with a diploma. If you opt for the Technology offerings, you will add a third year of study that introduces more advanced topics and results in an advanced diploma.

Licensing for avionics or aircraft maintenance jobs

Along with your post-secondary credential, you will need to obtain the relevant licence. These licences determine the allowed scope of work for both types of professionals. For Aircraft Maintenance grads, an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME — M rating) licence is required. Avionics graduates, meanwhile, will need to obtain an AME — E rating licence. If you meet the accreditation standards of basic training required to obtain the relevant licence, you will be exempt from having to write Transport Canada’s technical examinations and will be granted 18 months of experience credit toward the issue of the licence itself.

Whatever your area of specialization, you’ll be ready to enter a profession and possibly work for well-known companies such as Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Porter Airlines, engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, and even the Department of National Defence.