Overview
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; and,
- overhauling and/or repairing parts and assemblies.
The program
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.
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Entrance requirements
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS: Effective Fall 2024, BCIT will implement English Language Proficiency (ELP) categories for programs requiring a minimum of English 12 with 50%, 67%, or 73% into Categories 1,2,3, and Graduate Studies. This will allow students who have met their English Language Proficiency requirements using a method other than BC Secondary School English to easily see the equivalent option for their desired program. Applications submitted for intakes scheduled to start on or after September 1, 2024, (or received starting October 1, 2023 for programs with rolling start dates) will be evaluated using the new English Language Proficiency (ELP) categories. The ELP categories replace the previous English requirements.
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first qualified basis as long as space remains. When available intakes are full, qualified applicants are wait-listed.
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements prior to applying to this program. If you are uncertain or do not meet the requirements we strongly recommend you complete any applicable Trades Entry Assessments before applying.
- English: two years of education in English in an English-speaking country with one of the following:
- English Studies 12 (50%) or
- English First Peoples 12 (50%) or
- Acceptable equivalent high school course or
- 3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities or social sciences (50%) from a recognized institution or
- BCIT English Trades Entry Assessment (for applicants who have two years of education in an English-speaking country only)
What if I don’t meet these English requirements? - Math: one of the following:
- Pre-Calculus 11 (60%) or
- Foundations of Math 11 (60%) or
- Workplace Math 11 (60%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- BCIT Math Trades Entry Assessment
- BCIT Mechanical Reasoning Trades Entry Assessment
Recommended for success
- Completion of one of the following courses:
- General Mechanics 11 or
- Automotive Mechanics 11 or
- Technical Education 11 or
- Physics 11
- Good colour vision
- An interest in electronics, computers, and mechanics
Courses in Aircraft Maintenance offered by the Air Cadets are helpful in preparing students for the program.
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
January and August each year.myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT e-mail addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We'll send you an e-mail when a new message is posted. It's important to watch for these e-mails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition and fees, visit:
Books & supplies
Costs are estimates only and is subject to change:
Term 1: $460 for required textbooks/kits; $175 for required PPE; $85 for coveralls.
Term 2: $160 for required textbooks/kits.
Term 3: $90 for required textbooks/kits; $20 for optional books.
Personal Protective Equipment:
Ear protection, CSA approved safety glasses, and safety footwear are required.
Coveralls:
Students are required to supply their own coveralls. A supply of coveralls is available on the BCIT Bookstore. Please check the uniform authorization voucher [PDF] to determine the type of coveralls required for your program.
Laptop/ Computer:
A laptop or computer is required. Students will need to access their assignments online.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
Courses
Class hours
0800–1530, Monday through Friday
Program matrix
| Term 1 (17 weeks) | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| AVAV 1105 | Standard Aviation Practices | 8.0 | |
| AVAV 1106 | Structures & Theory of Flight | 8.0 | |
| AVAV 1107 | Direct Current Theory | 10.0 | |
| AVAV 1108 | Alternating Current Theory | 8.0 | |
| Term 2 (18 weeks) | Credits | ||
| AVAV 2105 | Analog Theory | 6.0 | |
| AVAV 2106 | Digital Theory | 6.0 | |
| AVAV 2107 | Propulsion Systems | 6.0 | |
| AVAV 2108 | Aircraft Systems | 8.0 | |
| AVAV 2109 | Electrical Power & Distribution | 10.0 | |
| Term 3 (17 weeks) | Credits | ||
| AVAV 3105 | Flight Instruments | 6.0 | |
| AVAV 3106 | Radio Theory | 8.0 | |
| AVAV 3107 | Aircraft Communications | 10.0 | |
| AVAV 3108 | Navigation System 1 | 10.0 | |
| Term 4 (16 weeks) | Credits | ||
| AVAV 4105 | Navigation Systems 2 | 8.0 | |
| AVAV 4106 | Flight Line Maintenance | 6.0 | |
| AVAV 4107 | Automatic Flight Control Systems | 4.0 | |
| AVAV 4108 | Installation and CARs | 14.0 | |
| ZATT 0000 | Attendance | ||
| Total Credits: | 136.0 | ||
Transfer credit
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
68 weeks, full-time
Grading
The minimum course passing grade is 70% for Transport Canada and Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace. 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.
Program delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
The program delivers instructional content and learning activities fully in person, supplemented by online components that provide additional resources to help students learn.
Program location
Aerospace Technology Campus
3800 Cessna Drive
Richmond, BC
Aviation attendance policy
Attendance policy for all Aviation programs differs from other BCIT programs and is regulated by Transport Canada and the Council for Aviation and Aerospace.
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. The demand for skilled workers will continue as an aging workforce retires and as the industry grows.
Graduates from the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer-Category E (Electronics) program have found employment in both the national and international aviation industry. Some graduates have gone on to become managers and owners of domestic and international aircraft maintenance establishments.
Overall, Aviation Maintenance Technicians, particularly Aircraft Maintenance Engineer-Category E (Electronics) Technicians with work experience, are expected to have excellent job opportunities.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2020-2022 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2019-2021 graduates and for Degree 2017-2019 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
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