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Aircraft Maintenance Technology - Mechanical

Learn how to repair and maintain airframes, engines and associated systems for airplanes and helicopters.

A student wearing safety goggles works on the inside of a plane's side engine.
Start Date:
September
Typical Length:
2 Years
Credential:
Diploma

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Overview

Get hands-on instruction from experienced faculty while working inside a hangar on a variety of aircraft, including small and medium-sized planes, helicopters, and components from larger aircraft. 

In this program, you:

  • Develop skills for the repair and maintenance of airframes, engines and associated systems for airplanes and helicopters
  • Learn to perform aircraft servicing and ground-handling functions
  • Gain knowledge of Canadian Aviation Regulations
  • Use hand tools and specialized equipment to repair and maintain aircraft systems
  • Learn how to interpret wiring diagrams and aircraft drawings and assess sheet metal damage and appropriate repair procedures

This program is located at NSCC's Aviation Institute (Dartmouth Gate) and is part of Ivany Campus.

Choose NSCC

  • NSCC is recognized as an approved training organization by Transport Canada (TC) and approved to deliver specific programs of study leading to certification as an Aviation Maintenance Engineer (AME). Graduates who meet TC training standards qualify for 18 months of credit towards the total 48 months required for a licence with an “M” rating, which is associated with an aircraft mechanical specialty.
  • Your faculty have strong industry connections and provide opportunities to learn from industry experts in specialized areas of study.
  • This program places a high importance on providing you with skills and knowledge to work in industry. To prepare for employment, you participate in safety awareness courses.

Other info

  • Many employers in this industry require a current, official criminal record check as part of the hiring process. A conviction on your criminal record may impact your ability to secure employment.
  • Program attendance is tracked in accordance with Transport Canada’s policy for Approved Training Organizations. To preserve a high standard of maintenance and flight safety, students who miss more than 5 per cent of the program through absences will not qualify for the experience credit.
  • If you’re chemically sensitive, it’s important to note that chemicals (including fuels, hydraulic fluids and other chemical compound products) are commonly used by Mechanical Technicians.

Availability

Seats are available for domestic applicants only. International applicants will be waitlisted.

September 2024

Campus Full time/part time Delivery Availability
Ivany Campus
Classes at Aviation Institute
Full time In person
Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.
Seats available

Admission requirements

Program requirements

  • Portfolio development – As part of your studies at NSCC, you develop a portfolio of your work; the portfolio captures your achievements and profiles your skills to employers. 

Tuition

Tuition amounts are for the 2023-24 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional.

Tuition (Domestic):
$9,000
Tuition (International):
$11,690

Tuition, fees and program costs

This program is not offered at regular NSCC tuition.

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for College services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.

Aircraft Maintenance Technology - Mechanical

Career options

  • Become an aircraft technician with a mechanical specialization. 
  • Work for various airlines, aircraft manufacturers and repair/overhaul facilities throughout North America.
  • Learn more about labour market information. View career options

Future study options

Courses may include

These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.

Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.

AMTE 1490 - Analog Electronics
This foundations course will introduce the students to Analog devices, such as diodes, and transistors. It will also introduce digital logic devices. Students will learn how the diode and transistor work; how to test them; and the indicators of working and non-working devices. They will expand on the earlier Math course to gain a better understanding of logic devices and truth tables and how they are used in many aircraft systems to determine when lights and fault indications are illuminated.

AMTE 2105 - Aircraft Electrical Systems II (Mechanical)
This course is designed to build on the previous Electrical systems course, by introducing the learner to AC equipped aircraft.The learner is given the opportunity to troubleshoot aircraft AC electrical systems using schematics and to test, troubleshoot, repair, adjust, remove and replace electrical components.

AMTE 2280 - Avionics Systems
This course expands on the content of AMEE 1470 Avionics 1 by exposing the learner to various avionics navigation and autoflight systems, their components and interconnections. Topics include navigation systems, weather radar, autopilot, and instrument landing systems. Learners are given the opportunity to remove, install, inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and test various avionics systems and components.

AMTG 1650 - Regulations and Publications
This course will complete the review of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and the acquisition, interpretation, use and maintenance of publications and maintenance documentation. Discussion of Parts VI and VII of the CARs regulations and further examination of publications and maintenance documents will be supplemented with a full review of both important areas of preparation for AME licensing.

AMTG 1660 - Professionalism and Human Factors
This course will include the full Human Factors course, as approved by TC as well as a section on professionalism to include personal responsibility, work ethic, and notions of entrepreneurism from the point of view of taking personal responsibility and understanding the economic and business impacts of your one's own performance. It will also include practice in developing and presenting the learning portfolio. Through a career development plan, learners will identify how they will commit to mature and grow in their professional development.

AMTG 2100 - Innovations in Aviation
As an alternative to an "open" elective, this course will use Topics as a way to allow a student to select an area of interest for individual study. The topics will include a limited list each year (which faculty will change or add to each year) to include things like: Drone Servicing; Aviation Industry Trends; Emerging Technologies; Alternate Power Systems (hybrid); etc.

AMTM 1190 - Aircraft Instruments
Aircraft instruments and instrument systems are discussed including gyroscopic instruments, electrical flight instruments, engine electrical instruments, pressure measuring instruments, and temperature measuring instruments. The learner is given the opportunity to practice instrument system component installation, removal, maintenance and inspection.

AMTM 1200 - Aircraft Safety, Regulations and Servicing
In this common safety foundations course, the learner is introduced to the basic requirements for safety in aviation. The course introduces many aspects that will be reinforced throughout the program. During this course, learners will explore the broader implications of “airworthiness” and the initial elements of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARS) that outlines the responsibility of Aircraft Mechanical Engineers to certify the safety of aircraft. Learners will also undertake basic safety training in confined space, hazard ID, fall arrest, lockout/tag-out and other operational and occupational health and safety practices and protocols. Please note that specific outcomes of confined space, hazard ID, fall arrest, lock-out/tag-out, OHS, and WHMIS are included in the specific non-credit course outlines included in the program curriculum. Note: Successful completion is a requirement for participation in shop activities in other courses. In addition, proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory for attendance.

AMTM 1201 - Theory of Flight and Flight Controls
The course covers basic physics, properties of atmosphere, aircraft design and aerodynamics. The learner is introduced to forces and axes of flight, control, and stability of aircraft including high-speed flight. The learner is introduced to aerodynamic terminology, rotor designs and forces acting upon the rotors. Autorotation, ground resonance, and stability are discussed. The course will be delivered using a variety of methods that may including discussion, presentations, demonstrations and exploration of school aircraft and equipment.

AMTM 1202 - Shop Practices
This course introduces the learner to the safe use of basic hand and power tools. The learner is given opportunity to work with these tools in a shop environment and is expected to demonstrate safe working techniques. The students will be instructed in and demonstrate to the instructors various Safe Work Procedures (SWP), for the use of various hand and power tools used in the shops. The learner is also introduced to the standards and specifications of aircraft hardware. Threaded and non-threaded fasteners and related safety devices, fluid lines, fittings, and cable fittings are also covered in this course.

AMTM 1203 - Basic Electricity - Direct Current
This course will introduce the learner to the use of Direct Current (DC) electricity, from the theory and safety aspects of working with DC in the lab and on the aircraft. The learner will describe the physical properties of the various DC electrical components, and learn what voltage, current and resistance are in an electrical circuit. The learner will be performing calculations to predict the effects of the various components in the various series and parallel circuits, based on Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s Laws. The learner will construct various circuits, calculate and measure the values, to verify the various the electrical theories, like Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Laws.

AMTM 1204 - Materials and Structures
The learner is introduced to the physical properties of materials used in aircraft construction. Corrosion, treatment processes and identification coding systems as well as the basics of aircraft construction, stress and load distribution are discussed. Learners will perform basic sheet metal repairs including layout, cutting, bending, forming, drilling, structural inspection and installation of rivets and special fasteners.

AMTM 1205 - Technical Communications for Aircraft Maintenance - Mechanical
This course introduces communication in aircraft maintenance environments. The course will introduce the notions of transactional communications and identify the many media of communications that are critical to the work - verbal, and non-verbal, print publications, and graphic communications including aircraft drawings and blueprints.

AMTM 1206 - Applied Mathematics I
This foundational level of applied mathematics course covers mathematics concepts that are valuable to all aircraft mechanical engineers, regardless of their specialty. With an introduction to precision measuring instruments, the course will cover fundamentals of measurement such as number systems and fractions including their application in measuring and/or estimating distance, weight, displacement, balance and related concepts. Supporting the application, learners will refresh or reinforce their understanding of basic mathematic functions and operations, fractions, decimals, numbering and measuring systems. The course will also include an introduction to Boolean logic to support troubleshooting and problem-solving.

AMTM 1300 - Hydraulics, Pneumatics, and Landing Gear Systems Foundations
Learners will be introduced to key principles of operation and components of hydraulic, pneumatic, and landing gear systems. Classifications, properties and use of grease and hydraulic fluids will be discussed. Students will have an opportunity to service hydraulic systems using powered ground support equipment.

AMTM 1301 - Basic Electricity - Alternating Current
This course will introduce the learner to the use of Alternating Current (AC), from the theory and safety aspects of working with AC on the aircraft. Learners will explore the physical properties of the various AC electrical components, and learn about voltage, current and resistance in an electrical circuit. They will be expanding on the material covered in the Direct Current course, and how AC differs from DC. Those concepts will be expanded by adding inductors and capacitors and how they affect the delivery of power. Learners will also be performing calculations to predict the effects of the various components in the various series and parallel circuits. They will then construct various circuits, measure the values, to verify the various the electrical theories, like Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Laws.

AMTM 1302 - Aircraft Maintenance Management Essentials
This course is designed to introduce learners to the basic regulations regarding expectations and responsibilities of aircraft maintenance personnel – particularly the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) and the approved maintenance organizations (AMO) they work for. In addition to intensive review of Section V of the regulations, discussion and lectures from industry guests will help to impress on the learner the serious responsibility of the AME in ensuring safety and work quality in shop, and how the regulations, documentation, publications and rigorous processes create continuous and comprehensive quality assurance in aircraft maintenance. Various critical documents such as maintenance release forms, service logs, maintenance schedules and related paperwork will be explored.

AMTM 1303 - Aircraft Systems Foundations I
Learners will be introduced to key principles of operation and components of various aircraft systems including fuel, ice and rain protection, fire protection, environmental, and emergency equipment. Ice formation and its effects on aircraft operations are also discussed and learnerswill have an opportunity to perform fuel system servicing.

AMTM 1304 - Mechanics of Avionics I
This course introduces the learner to various aircraft communication related avionics systems, their components and interconnections. Topics include radio theory as it pertains to communications systems, cockpit voice and flight data recorders, emergency locator transmitters, and audio integration systems. Learners are given the opportunity to remove, install, inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and test various avionics communication systems and components.

AMTM 1305 - Aircraft Electrical Systems I
The learner is given the opportunity to troubleshoot electrical systems using schematics and to test, troubleshoot, repair, adjust, remove and replace electrical components. This course covers circuit installation and wiring practices, circuit control and protection devices, power supply and generation, power distribution, electrical motor systems, landing gear electrical systems, and warning and lighting systems.

AMTM 1306 - Propulsion Foundations
The course introduces learners to the history, development, theory, construction and operation of reciprocating and gas turbine engines as well as basic propeller theory and fuel application. Engine types, components and accessories will be covered in detail. Propulsion principles, instrumentation, and the theory, construction, design and operating fundamentals of the engines, propellers and associated systems are discussed. The course will be delivered using a variety of methods that may including discussion, presentations, demonstrations and exploration of school aircraft and equipment.

AMTM 2012 - Aircraft Inspections - Fixed and Rotary Wing
The learner is introduced to the preparation of aircraft and personnel for aircraft inspection requirements in a shop environment. A large component of this course is focused on inspection techniques, documentation and special Canadian requirements.

AMTM 2032 - Dynamic Drivetrains
The learner is introduced to lubrication, sealing, and the types and purposes of bearings. Lubrication replenishment, seal replacements are practiced by the learner and bearings are removed, inspected, and installed in a shop environment. The course also introduces learners to components of dynamic drivetrains. Learners are given the opportunity to maintain, remove, inspect, and install aircraft drivetrain components.

AMTM 2034 - Reciprocating Engine Maintenance
The learner is introduced to engine shop layout and engine overhaul and maintenance procedures. Reciprocating engine components from AMEM 1130 Propulsion Foundations are explored in greater detail. The learner is given the opportunity to perform typical reciprocating engine maintenance: disassemble, clean, and inspect engine and components; determine parts serviceability with reference to manufacturers’ technical publications; reassemble engine and major components; test and service the reciprocating engine and its systems.

AMTM 2075 - Vibration Analysis
This course discusses the transmission of sound and vibrations in rotating and non-rotating devices, including detection and isolation methods. The learner is given the opportunity to demonstrate the installation and use of test equipment to perform a static and dynamic balance.

AMTM 2090 - Controls and Rigging
The learner is introduced to cable control systems and control rod type control systems. Rotary wing flight control system rigging is discussed. Inspection, adjustment and repair of flight control systems is examined. Opportunity is given to the learner to install and rig a flight control system, inspect and troubleshoot systems and perform independent inspections as well as to properly document log book entries.

AMTM 2110 - Advanced Aircraft Systems
Learners will apply knowledge and skills obtained in Aircraft Systems Foundations to practical maintenance applications. Learners will service, maintain inspect and test a variety of aircraft systems and components. There will be a focus on practical projects carried out on school aircraft and equipment. Theory related to practical tasks will be delivered using multiple methods which may include discussion, presentations, and demonstrations.

AMTM 2120 - Advanced Hydraulics, Pneumatics, and Landing Gear Systems
This course discusses landing gear types, configurations and components. The learner is given the opportunity to remove, disassemble, assemble, install, inspect and maintain system components, and to perform aircraft jacking and gear retraction. The course will be delivered using a variety of methods that may including discussion, presentations and demonstrations. There will be a focus on practical projects carried out school aircraft and equipment.

AMTM 2140 - Reciprocating Engine Induction and Ignition
Learners have the opportunity to perform a variety of maintenance tasks on ignition systems including harnesses inspections, spark plug servicing, magneto timing and system maintenance. Theory of operation and design of carbureted, fuel injected, and turbocharged systems is introduced. The learner is given the opportunity to remove and re-install a variety of induction system components including carburetors, fuel injectors and fuel nozzles.

AMTM 2150 - Turbine Systems
The course instructs the learners on the function and characteristics of lubricants including types and classifications. Turbine engine lubricating systems and drive train lubricating systems are discussed. This course discusses turbine fuel, fuel system components and fuel control units. The learner is given the opportunity to remove and install fuel system components and to perform fuel nozzle inspections, servicing, and testing with a focus on proper safety precautions. There is opportunity to disassemble, inspect, assemble, maintain, and test various systems and components.

AMTM 2185 - Reciprocating Engine Operation and Installation
The learner is given the opportunity to install and remove both reciprocating engines including accessories and component systems. Live engine operations are carried out with troubleshooting and rectification of operating problems with a focus on safety. The course discusses instrumentation for reciprocating powered aircraft.

AMTM 2220 - Propellers
Learners will apply knowledge and skills obtained in Propulsion Foundations to practical maintenance applications. Propeller control and controls systems is discussed. Learners are given the opportunity to operate, install, remove, troubleshoot, inspect, maintain, and repair propellers and associated systems. There will be a focus on practical projects carried out on school aircraft and equipment. Theory related to practical tasks will be delivered using multiple methods which may include discussion, presentations, and demonstrations.

AMTM 2250 - Turbine Engine Maintenance
The course introduces the learner to modules and parts replacement for gas turbine engines. Instrumentation, hot section inspection and cold section inspection and repair are discussed in addition to documentation associated with engine maintenance and the requirements for releasing the engine from inspection and repair. The learner is given the opportunity to perform engine operations and inspections and to remove and install components.

AMTS 1160 - Non-Metallic Structures
The learner is introduced to the use of composite structures in the aerospace industry. This course incorporates a large hands-on component. Learners will be required to fabricate a composite structure using industry approved techniques and equipment. The learner will then repair a damaged area on the composite structure, again using industry-approved techniques and equipment. Aircraft Structural repair manuals will be discussed in class to accompany the textbook theory.

SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.

SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.

SAFE 1020 - Safety Basics – Restricted Spaces
The learner is introduced to the basic requirements and procedures involved with working in restricted spaces. The definition and potential hazards of restricted spaces are discussed The course material is infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1021 - Safety Basics – Hazard Identification
The learners are introduced to the types of hazards encountered in workplaces and the approach that should be followed when recommending and implementing appropriate controls. Two key elements of Hazard Identification are addressed: Hazard Assessment and Inspection. The Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act is discussed. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1022 - Safety Basics – Working at Heights
The student is introduced to hazards and responsibilities concerned with working at heights in the workplace. Guardrails, travel restraints, roof work, fall arrest components will be discussed. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1023 - Safety Basics – Lock-out Tag Out
Lock-out Tag Out introduces students to the hazards related to energized systems and procedures to ensure worker safety. Related legislation and risk management is discussed and the student is exposed to the various types of lock-out devices. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

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