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 or Math 30-1 or Math 30-2, 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.
• View High School Course Equivalencies Admission Equivalencies by Province.

Selection

Early Admission Criteria

Applicants who have achieved or will achieve both:

• A minimum of 65% in Pure Math 30 or Applied Math 30 or Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 or their equivalents, AND
• A minimum of 65% in English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2

To be considered for early admission applicants must apply and submit all supporting documentation by February 5.

Selection Criteria

If the program is oversubscribed the following criteria will take effect for the remaining applicants:

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

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.

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% or higher in each course will receive a SAIT diploma. Graduates who are in compliance with the required attendance (95%) and minimum marks of 70% will receive Transport Canada credit of 18 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

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-202) into the Quick Search by Course Code field.

For More Information

Information: 403.284.7018
Email: aerocentre@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:

• British Columbia Institute of Technology
• Griffith University
• NAIT
• SAIT Polytechnic
• Thompson Rivers University
• 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
• Academic Upgrading
• International Students
• Mature Students
• Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition