Avionics Technology

Two-year diploma

• Fall start
• High industry demand

Program Description

The Avionics Technology program will give you the knowledge and skills required to start a career as an aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) “E”. As an “E” licensed AME, you will be responsible for the servicing and repair of aircraft electrical and electronic systems. You will maintain and repair the aircraft communication, navigation and data systems. The Avionics Technology program covers all aspects of aircraft avionics systems used in general aviation, corporate, charter, transport category aircraft, and helicopters.

This program is four semesters in length with a break between semesters two and three. All classes are scheduled at the Art Smith Aero Centre for Training and Technology, located at the Calgary International Airport.

Some of the courses in this program are web-based and will require students to access information from the Internet. These courses are delivered in one of the two computer labs available at the Art Smith Aero Centre. Students are not required to purchase a laptop for this program.

Your Career

Graduates find work as avionics technicians and technologists.

Admission Requirements

• Alberta High School Diploma or equivalent with at least 50% in the following courses or their equivalents: Pure Math 30 or Applied Math 30 and English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2.
• All applicants to SAIT Polytechnic must demonstrate English Language Proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada. For more information, please visit English Proficiency.
• For upgrading options, please refer to the Academic Upgrading program.
• For international students, please refer to the International section.
• For mature students, please refer to the Admissions section.
• Advance credit may be granted to applicants who have completed equivalent education at a post-secondary institution or have demonstrated equivalent experiential learning. Please refer to Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition.

Selection Criteria (2010-2011)

Applicants are responsible for familiarizing themselves with any selection criteria that may be required in addition to the admission requirements.

Application Timeline

Applications are accepted from November 1, 2009, until the end of the drop/add period. To be included in selection applications must be submitted prior to March 1, 2010, along with all supporting documents.

Early Admission Criteria

Early admission will be offered to all applicants who have achieved or will achieve a minimum overall average of 70% in the admission requirements. Positions will be offered to 90% of quota.

Additional Selection Criteria

If the program is oversubscribed, the following criteria will take effect for the remaining 10% of the quota:

• Applicants possessing the highest academic average using the educational admission requirements.

Selection Priority

• Early admission
• Selection criteria

Note: Two seats are reserved for applicants having industry experience as approved by the academic chair. Two seats are reserved for students in James Fowler Aviation Program or other high schools that have an aviation technician program.

Selection

Selection will commence on the first business day of December. If at the end of December the program is not filled to 90 per cent of the quota, seats will be offered to applicants who meet the average of 65% or higher.

The Selection Deadline is March 1, 2010. On March 1, if the program is not filled to 90% of the quota, admission will commence using minimum admission requirements as stated in the Admission Requirements.

Student Success

• Most successful students spend approximately two hours each day doing homework and review, with additional study required to prepare for exams.
• The material is presented at a fairly rapid rate so for the greatest level of success, students must be present and take responsibility for their learning experience.
• Students must be able to read, write and comprehend the English language at a level exceeding basic conversational English.
• Students with higher grades usually experience more success in SAIT programs.

Progression

Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Credentials

After successfully completing this program, graduates will be awarded a SAIT diploma in Avionics Technology.

Accreditation

The program’s accreditation is ongoing and subject to periodic audits from Transport Canada and the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council (CAMC). Students achieving 50 per cent or higher in each course will receive a SAIT diploma. Graduates who are in compliance with the required attendance (95 per cent) and minimum marks of 70% will receive Transport Canada credit of 20 months work experience towards the “E” Category AME license.

Tuition And Fees (Subject To Change)

• Please refer to the Tuition and Fee Table.
• International Students, please refer to International Student Fees.
• Student funding, please refer to Financial Aid.

Books And Supplies (Subject To Change)

• Books and supplies are approximately $400 to $500 for the first year and are approximately $500 to $650 for the second year.
• Tools for the program are approximately $600 and can be purchased on Tool Day at the beginning of the first year.

Program Outline (2010 - 2011)

To find the course description for a course shown below, please go to our Course Finder and enter the course acronym and numbers (I.E. DMST-350) into the Quick Search by Course Code field.

For More Information

Information: 403.284.7018
E-mail: transportation.info@sait.ca
Website: School of Transportation

Transfer with Diploma to…

Through SAIT Polytechnic transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this SAIT program may be eligible for credit at the following universities and colleges:

• Athabasca University
• British Columbia Institute of Technology
• Griffith University
• NAIT
• Thompson Rivers University
• University of Calgary
• University of Lethbridge (Co-op Education)
• University of New Brunswick, Saint John

To learn more, visit Transfer Options.

Transfer options may also be available at other post-secondary institutions where credits from SAIT programs are evaluated on an individual basis. Interested students should contact the post-secondary institute of their choice for more information.

Related Links (Internal):

• Student-For-A-Day
• Academic Calendar