1. Aviation Program Offers Focus on
Practical Experience
Obtaining hands-on practice in an aviation program is essential, as
many employers are seeking graduates who are comfortable with a
variety of duties directly upon being hired. At Centennial College,
the Aviation Technician – Avionics Maintenance offering is facilitated
out of Ashtonbee campus to meet the needs of Toronto’s sizeable
aviation community. As such, the aviation program has an
aerospace with modern equipment reflecting the current trends in
the industry. The campus includes a fully functional aircraft hangar,
licensed by Transport Canada, complete with a “fleet” of 10 aircraft,
which are used as training aids by the aviation program students.
Those interested in applying for this aviation program are required
to have completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or General
Education Development or equivalent or be 19 years of age or
older. In addition, they must have completed the compulsory
English 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent and Math 11M
or U or 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent.
The focus of this particular aviation program is on the aircraft’s
various electronic systems: electrical power distribution and control,
navigation, flight instrumentation, communication and radar.
Faculty members who have experience and technical expertise
teach these topics as well as:
safety and human factors, piston engines and propellers, sheet
metal and aircraft structures, tools, materials and processes; theory
of flight, aircraft publication, aircraft applied mathematics, electrical
fundamentals, avionics fundamentals, aviation installation
practices, avionics troubleshooting practices and more. As
previously mentioned, the skills taught to students in this aviation
program are balanced between theory
and lab time, in which standard industry techniques and processes
are included and imbedded.
To ensure that students are getting the most out of their aviation
program, partners and supporters of the offering serve as members
of Centennial College’ advisory committees and participate as guest
speakers and panelists, sharing their knowledge and expertise for
the benefit and enhancement of the program.

2. Graduation from this aviation program requires students to obtain
at minimum a C grade in all courses. After completion of the
aviation program, students acquire an Ontario College Diploma. In
addition, Transport Canada accreditation is provided to graduates
who meet attendance requirements, project completion
requirements and attain 70 percent in each course. Lastly,
successful graduates of this aviation program who meet the
accreditation requirements are eligible for an 18-month experience
credit and technical examination credit towards the regulatory
requirements for issue of a Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
License.
Once aviation program graduates enter the field, they may work at
avionic-approved shops and aircraft manufacturing companies or in
non-aircraft related electronic industries. More specifically, past
grads have found careers with: airlines/ operators (Air Canada,
Kelowna Flightcraft, Great Slave Helicopters); manufacturers
(Bombardier, Magellan Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney); the military
(Department of National Defense); aviation training (Flight Safety
Canada); aviation repair and overhaul (SPAR Aerospace, IMP
Group, Field Aviation, Eurocopter Canada); and aviation equipment/
avionics (MC2, Wright Instruments).
Summary: At Centennial College’s aviation program,
comprehensive courses and theories are reinforced by hands-on lab
and shop work.
Author Details: Emma, the author of this piece, writes about the
benefits students will see from attending Centennial College’s
aviation program and Aviation Technician Schools, including
respected industry accreditations.
Keywords: aviation program, aviation technician schools