Education · 1 of 4
The path
College, then logged experience, then a Transport Canada licence. It is not an engineering degree.
- 1
High school diploma
Grade 12
Grade 12 with math, physics and English. Shop classes help.
- 2
Approved college program
2 years
A 2-year AME (aircraft maintenance engineer) diploma approved by Transport Canada: Centennial College in Toronto, BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology), SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology), Canadore College in North Bay, Red River College Polytechnic in Winnipeg and others. Approved programs give credit toward the experience requirement: Transport Canada allows up to 24 months, and most programs give about 18.
- 3
Work as an apprentice
2 to 3 years
Join an airline, charter operator, repair shop or bush operator. Log every task in a personal logbook. Transport Canada wants roughly 48 months of experience in total, minus your college credit, so about 2 to 3 more years.
- 4
Transport Canada licence
After your hours
Pass the regulatory exams and prove your logged tasks. The M1 licence covers smaller aircraft, M2 covers large transport aircraft like airliners. E is avionics, S is structures. Minimum age is 21.
- 5
Add type ratings
Ongoing
Courses on specific aircraft, run by the airline or manufacturer, let you sign for those types.