Aircraft avionics technicians are responsible for the servicing, repair and modification of aircraft electronic systems and components. Today's aircraft can be quite sophisticated with "fly by wire" flight controls, satellite navigation and communication, in-flight entertainment, and automatic flight, as well as communication and monitoring systems.
An avionics technician's tasks include:
Ensuring that navigation, communication, radar, and other
electronic and computer instruments and controls comply with standard
operating procedures;
Performing maintenance on aircraft during scheduled inspections;
Troubleshooting
and repairing aircraft discrepancies in compliance with manufacturer's
standards to expedite return to flight status; and
Overhauling and/or repairing parts and assemblies.
The Program
The program consists of 50 weeks of full-time studies. 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), the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council (CAMC) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Successful completion of the program will result in a work experience credit of 18 months (of the 48 months) required by Transport Canada to obtain an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Category E license. Successful graduation from this program may qualify you for national certification from Transport Canada and the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council. Students who complete the avionics program starting in August 2009 will also be credited with completion of the basic training requirement for the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) B2 certification.
program entry
Students interested in taking the AME E/B2 program must apply to BCIT Electronics Technician Common Core program first and list AME E/B2 as their option on the application form.
Entrance requirements
Applicants must have completed BCIT's full-time Electronics Technician Common Core program with a minimum of 70% in both theory and practical topics and a minimum of 95% attendance.
Note: BCIT only recognizes the BCIT Electronics Technician Common Core program as approved training for the BCIT AME Category E/B2 program, as per Transport Canada standards. BCIT cannot accept any other Electronics Technician Common Core from any other institution as approved training.
BC provincial exams
For programs beginning in August 2007 or later which require Grade 12 Math and Science courses, BCIT will not require the applicant to write the provincial exam. Provincial exam marks will still be required for English 12, Communications 12, and Technical and Professional Communications 12.
Continual intake program with applications processed throughout the year. Applications are wait-listed (first-come, first-served).
costs & supplies
Tuition fees
Please see the Fees, Payments and Refunds section of the website for more information on full-time tuition fees.
Books and supplies
$1,139 (general estimated cost and subject to change)
Tool Box Loans
A refundable deposit of $500 will be charged for a set of aviation hand tools provided by BCIT free of charge. However, if the tools are lost or damaged, their cost may be deducted from the deposit upon completion of the course. This $500 tool box loan deposit is in addition to tuition fees and must be paid in Term 1.
courses
Class hours
0800–1530, Monday through Friday
Program matrix
Term 1 (23 weeks)
Credits
AVAV 1100
Introduction to Aircraft Standards
A course designed to introduce you to standard methods and processes commonly used in the aviation industry. Activities focus on learning to use manuals, drawings, and standard procedures to document work done according to aviation standards in a safe and efficient manner.
A course designed to familiarize you with the electrical power distribution and standards of single and multi-engine aircraft with both AC and DC operations. Activities focus on learning about the special tooling and connectors used in aviation, battery servicing, alternators, generators, inverters, transformers and transformer rectifiers.
A course designed to provide you with the fundamental concepts of fixed and rotary wing aircraft operational components which include flight controls, landing gear, ice and rain protection, fire protections, fuel, pneumatic and hydraulic systems.
This course introduces the student to aircraft radio theory, including transmission and receiving of all modes of radio communication. It also includes discussions on restrictions for antenna installations and efficiencies. Digital and analog systems are included in the description and operation. Prerequisites: TELX 1302
This modular course is required by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) as a part of its overall requirement for completion of a basic training program in EASA Categories "B1" and "B2". Successful completion of the Mathematics course will ensure that the student has sufficient skills to be successful in the subsequent modules and will reinforce existing student mathematics skills. It will also enable student eligibility for EASA accreditation.
This modular course is required by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) as a part of its overall requirement for completion of a basic training program in EASA Category "B2". Successful completion of the Physics course will ensure that the student has sufficient skills to be successful in the subsequent modules and will reinforce existing student Physics skills. It will also enable student eligibility for EASA accreditation.
A course designed to further enhance the knowledge and skills you have acquired from AVAV1103. It introduces you to modern aircraft glass cockpit technology and familiarizes you with the fundamental principles of automatic flight control systems in fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.
A course designed to provide you with the theoretical understanding and practical skills needed to install, test and certify avionics systems according to regulatory standards. Activities focus on learning about costing, time estimating, system integration, maintenance planning, electrical load analysis, weight and balance, and harness fabrication.
A course designed to provide you with the theoretical understanding and practical skills needed for the operation, application testing and maintenance of avionics systems used in modern aircraft. Activities focus on learning about regulatory agencies, intercommunication and control; applicable audio systems, methods of communication and navigation.
This course introduces the student to the testing, troubleshooting, repair, and adjustment of aircraft instruments. It includes information for the types of displays used by various manufacturers and includes analog and digital style instruments. The operation of electro-mechanical and electrical instruments is described. An introduction to air data systems is included with reference to more detailed discussions in AVAV 2100. Prerequisites: AVAV 1102
A course designed to further your knowledge and skills of avionics systems. Activities focus on learning about distance measuring equipment, transponders, Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), radio altimeter, weather radar, and microwave principles and techniques.
A course designed to provide you with the theoretical understanding and practical skills needed for modern flight line avionics ramp testing on aircraft systems. Activities focus on learning to analyze, test and troubleshoot communication, navigation, pulse, auto-pilot, pitot-static, and flight control systems.
A course designed to provide you with the theoretical understanding and practical skills needed to test avionics communication equipment to industry standards and to certify them for Maintenance Release. Specific systems are: VHF - AM, VHF - FM, HF SSB.
A course designed to provide you with the theoretical understanding and practical skills needed to test avionics navigation equipment to industry standards and to certify them for Maintenance Release. Specific systems are: ADF, VHF - Omni Range, ILS including Glide Slope Receivers, Localizers, and Marker Beacon operation.
A course designed to provide you with the fundamental concepts of microwave and pulse system testing using special equipment. Activities focus on learning to test Transponders, DME, Radio Altimeters and Weather Radar.
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if
they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's
Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
program details
Program length
50 weeks, full-time
Grading
Minimum course passing grade is 70% for Transport Canada and Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council (75% is required for the European Aviation Safety Agency Category B2). Each course has a theory component and a practical component and both components must be passed with 70%. The official transcript will show an average of both marks, with a U or F (unsatisfactory or failed) if either component is not passed.
Course Failure and Program Continuation
If you fail a course during a term, you may re-register to repeat the course. However, if your second attempt is unsuccessful, you will be prohibited from continuing the term and must seek approval from the Associate Dean in order to be readmitted into the program.
Attendance policy for all Aviation programs differs from other BCIT programs and is regulated by Transport Canada, the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council, and European Aviation Safety Agency.
Canadian Aviation Regulation Standard 566 states:
"Students missing more than five per cent of the course curriculum through absence will not qualify for any credit under Transport Canada course approval, unless the lost time is made up through documented supplementary studies, which shall include theory, workshop and laboratory time, equivalent to that missed from the original program. The five per cent absence policy is intended for illness, bereavement, or other circumstances beyond the individual's control."
graduating & jobs
Job Opportunities
Opportunities are available across Canada in aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul establishments and by airlines and other aircraft operators.
Despite the recent economic difficulties, industry demand for more skilled workers, particularly in the maintenance sector is growing. At the same time, an aging workforce will begin to retire in increasing numbers in the near future. According to the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council (CAMC), a shortage of skilled workers across the maintenance sub-sector is expected to last through to 2015.
Industry Policies
Industry policies with respect to hiring practices vary between employers, but all require an enhanced security clearance for their employees.
Graduate employment outcomes
The following link takes you to graduate outcome survey results containing mostly labour market results from the 2007-2009 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2006-2008 Graduates. Note: The survey results will be displayed in a separate browser window. To view these results, you need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
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