Aircraft Structures Technician certificate
Prepare for an in-demand career in the
aircraft industry.
Looking for a trade that’s
challenging, in-demand, linked to the Abbotsford economy, and
portable throughout Canada? Then consider the Aircraft
Structures Technician program, offered by UCFV in facilities at
the Abbotsford Airport.
This certificate program is Transport
Canada approved and will give you a thorough introduction to
the aircraft repair and maintenance trade. Working and learning
at a busy airport location will give you a taste of “real
life” experience and also help you make connections with
potential employers.
Structures technicians repair and
overhaul aircraft. Tasks include manufacturing, modifying, and
repairing sheet metal parts, structures, skins, and panels to
exacting tolerances, and using and interpreting
manufacturers’ structural repair manuals.
After completing the certificate
program, you will be qualified to start your career as a
structures apprentice and eventually become an
“S”-licensed aircraft structures technician.
Employment opportunities
Aerospace-related industry has been
identified by the City of Abbotsford as one of the key growth
engines for the local economy. It is anticipated that the
growth of aerospace-related enterprises will create spinoff
demand in Abbotsford as companies locate near a skilled labour
force.
The Industry Training Authority
predicts that the aerospace industry will require up to 4,000
new trades and technical workers within five years, including
structural technicians.
Entrance requirements
1.
B.C. Secondary school graduation (Grade 12) or equivalent
2.
A math and English comprehension entrance exam (standard test
for all trades programs at UCFV)
3.
Attend a personal interview, during which suitability for (and
interest in) the aerospace industry will be discussed and
assessed.
4.
Applicants must be in good physical condition and have no fear
of heights.
Note: A current criminal record search
document may be required.
How to apply
1.
Submit a UCFV application form, along with the $45 application
fee, to the Admissions and Records office. Applicants currently
in Grade 12 may apply during their Grade 12 year. A statement
from the school counsellor or principal, indicating that you
are likely to meet graduation requirements by June, must be
presented at the time of entrance exam appointment.
2.
Applicants will be notified of entrance exam dates by the
Trades and Technology department. There is no fee for writing
these exams. Applicants who have not been contacted within two
weeks of submission of their applications should call
604-854-4506.
604-854-4506.
3. Prior
to classes starting, applicants will be notified by telephone
of the registration procedures. Applicants who cannot be
reached by telephone
after three attempts will be removed from the waitlist.
after three attempts will be removed from the waitlist.
Fees and other expenses
Fees stated are in effect for 2005/06
and are subject to change for 2006/07.
The program fees are approximately
$102 per week, which includes tuition fees plus 10% of the
tuition for ancillary fees. In addition, each semester (fall,
winter, and summer) students will pay a $25 Student Union
Society membership fee, $4.50 Cascade student newspaper fee,
and a $3 per semester radio station fee.
A Health and Dental fee ($199.92 for
2005/06) is charged annually in Fall semester to students with
nine or more credits to provide extended medical and dental
insurance for September-August. Check with the Student Union
Society or at www.studentcare.net/works for details.
Note: A deposit (currently $200) must
be paid at the time of registration, which typically takes
place one or two months before the start of each semester.
The
balance of fees must be paid by the end of the second week of
the semester.
You should also budget approximately
$1,200 for basic hand tools, $400 for required textbooks, and
$300 for appropriate working apparel.
Medical requirement
A medical statement from a qualified
physician may be required at any time before or during the
program. Students will be notified by a UCFV official if/when
the statement is required.
Location
The Aircraft Structures Technician
program is offered at the UCFV Aerospace Centre — 30645
Firecat Ave., at the Abbotsford Airport. It is open from 8 a.m.
to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Dates & attendance requirements
The Aircraft Structures program starts
every 14 weeks and runs for 42 weeks consecutively. The 42
weeks are broken into 14-week modules.
The Aircraft Structures program
requires continuous attendance through all three 14-week
modules to complete all requirements for the program. Students
will be expected to attend classes five days per week.
Transport Canada stipulates that no
more than 5% of each module can be missed due to absenteeism.
Students who fail to meet the attendance requirements may be
subject to a failing grade or academic warning.
See UCFV Policy 340.03 (Academic
Warning). and UCFV Policy 310.03 (Attendance).
Program requirements
Students must complete all
requirements with a minimum of 70% or better to receive a
Credit (CR) grade in order to graduate.
In this 42-week program, new students
start every 14 weeks. All students are expected to complete
each 14-week module consecutively.
Module 1, 2, 3
Students who fail a required course in
any module must repeat the entire module (this is a Transport
Canada Regulation). To repeat a module the student must consult
their Instructor and Person Responsible for Training (PRT) for
next seat availability. See upgrading policy for more details.
Graduation
Students must apply for graduation by
completing a Request to Graduate form available at the Trades
Centre. We recommend this be done at the beginning of your
final semester.
Academic warnings
Trades & Technology students who
demonstrate extremely poor academic performance will be placed
on Academic Warning.
• See UCFV Policy 340.03 (Academic
Warning).
Poor academic performance may, at the
discretion of the instructor, include poor attendance, slow
progress in theory and practical tasks and/or lack of
satisfactory participation in class activities.
• See UCFV Policy 310.02
(Attendance).
Trades & Technology students are
expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible
manner, and will be held responsible for their actions, whether
acting alone or in group.
• See UCFV Policy 310.12 (Student
Conduct).
Withdrawal policy
Student-initiated Withdrawal
(Discontinuing)
If a student wishes not to continue or
return for the next semester, the Trades Centre will advise
Admissions & Records and initiate a withdrawal from the
student’s current Trades program.
Required to Withdraw (Failed grades)
Failed grades may result in withdrawal
from the program.
Required to Withdraw (Academic Warning)
Students may be required to withdraw
from a course or program for failing to comply with any of the
following three policies.
• UCFV Policy 340.03 (Academic
Warning)
• UCFV Policy 310.02 (Attendance)
• UCFV Policy 310.12 (Student
Conduct).
Upgrading policy
The definition of an upgrader is a
student who joins a class for 14 weeks or less to repeat or
complete a specific course. This is a student who has attended
training at UCFV before, or who wishes to enhance their skills
by attending one of the courses dealing specifically with sheet
metal or composite repair.
The Aircraft Structures Technician
modules are organized so upgraders have easy access to training
at various times during the year. Acceptance by Transport
Canada for completion of a single module would be assessed on
an individual basis.
Note: Upgraders wishing to attend the
Sheet Metal Repair or Composite Material Repair courses must
provide testimony from their employer or from an Aircraft
Maintenance Engineer identifying that the student holds the
prerequisite knowledge of Transport Canada regulations, safety,
tooling and basic aircraft operation.
Readmission Policy
Students who begin a trades program,
but withdraw before completing the program, may contact the
department to request re-entry to the program provided their
absence is less than two years. Re-entry is subject to space
availability.
If you are absent more than two years
you will be required to apply for
re-admission.
re-admission.
• An Application for admission form
and Application fee will be required.
• Trades & Technology entrance
exams will need to be retaken.
Program outline
The program is comprised of 42 weeks
of in-class instruction. You must show that you understand the
theory introduced in the program by successfully completing a
written test for each unit and then applying it to an
acceptable level of practical skills as assigned in that unit.
You will be working with the help of
learning packages that will give step-by-step instructions. The
learning materials may include printed worksheets, videotapes,
display boards, lab manuals, instructions, demonstrations,
and/or lectures.
Practical hands-on training is a large
part of the classroom environment. As much as possible, study
lab and shop instruction is patterned after
“on-the-job” situations.
The list of modules are:
Module 1
100 Program Orientation
101 Safety Factors
102 Aircraft Terminology &
Components
103 Reference Material &
Documentation
104 Blueprint & Technical
Drawings
105 Tools & Equipment
106 Materials
107 Fastener Installation
109 Sheet Metal Fabrication
Module 2
108 Sealing
110 Advanced Structures &
Assembly
111 Corrosion Assessment
112 Corrosion Control
113 Heat Treatment of Aluminum
Alloys
114 Prime and Paint Metal Parts
& Assemblies
115 Structural Damage Assessment
116 Sheet Metal Repairs
Module 3
117 Tubular Repairs
118 Composite Fabrication
119 Composite Repairs
120 Fabric Coverings
121 Wood Structures
122 Fluid Lines & Conduits
123 Windows & Lenses
Faculty
Bill Verran, Person Responsible for
Training, AME
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