Diploma: See education.

Apprenticeship: Completed through on-the-job training for a minimum of 48 months, which may be partially reduced by training programs. See education.

Licensing: Upon completion of the apprenticeship an application for licensing, accompanied by the application charge, shall be submitted to Transport Canada (TC). If the application is found acceptable, the applicant will be authorized to attempt the Transport Canada regulatory requirements examination. The examination must be successfully completed within 12 months after the date on which the application was accepted by TC. Failure on the first attempt will not be re-examined sooner than 30 days following failure and a second or subsequent failure will not be re-examined sooner than six months following each failure.

An AME - M License will be issued with one of two ratings:

• AME M1 License: Non-turbojet aircraft meeting STD 522,523,527,549 and equivalent standards, includes all airframes, engines, propellers, components, structures and systems of those aircraft.
  
• AME M2 License: All aircraft not included in M1, except balloons, includes all airframes, engines, propellers, components, structures and systems of those aircraft.

  Note: Individuals who hold both and M1 and M2 rating already hold the privileges of the E and S ratings.

An AME license remains valid until the date indicated on the license which is set at six years calculated after the applicant's last birthday, i.e. the birthday immediately preceding license issue. Licenses not yet expired or expired for less than one year will be reissued upon submission of an application form and payment of the set fee. Licenses expired for one year or more will be reissued upon successful completion of the regulatory requirements examination, submission of an application form and payment of the set fee.

Recurrent Training: Per Transport Canada regulations, recurrent training for AMEs shall be at least every three years, unless employer policies require it more frequently.Specialized aircraft type training may be required/provided by employer.

The following core competencies are required by Transport Canada to obtain certification:

• Metallurgy
• Aircraft Servicing
• Approved Parts
• Aerodynamics:
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft Aerodynamics
  • Fixed Wing Controls and Rigging
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Rotary Wing Controls and Rigging
• Sheet Metal
• Aircraft Structures
• Plastics and Composites
• Window and Lenses
• Piston Engines:
  • Basics
  • Cooling and Lubrication Of Engines
  • Component Parts of a Reciprocating Engine Assembly
  • Carburetion Principals
  • Ignition Systems
  • Installing/Testing/Troubleshooting Engines
• Turbine Engines:
  • Basics
  • Fuel and Control
  • Ignition
  • Starting
  • Engine Controls
  • Lubrication
  • Exhaust
  • Air
  • Engine Indicating Systems
  • Gear Box
  • Engine Water Injection
  • Inspection/Servicing
• Propellers and Systems
• Hydraulic and Pneumatic Power
• Aircraft Plumbing
• Landing Gear
• Environmental Control Systems
• Fire Protection
• Electricity and Electrical/Electronic Systems:
  • Basic Electricity DC
  • Basic Electricity A
  • Electrical Systems
  • Aircraft Instrumentation
  • Avionics
  • Data Bus and Logic
  • Auto Flight Systems
• Maintenance Procedures
• Fluent written and verbal English is mandatory

AMEs require a further 3 years of concentrated "on-the-job" training beyond the 4 year apprenticeship required for this job to achieve competence and advancement on this job.

Apprentice: $14.00 - $24.00 per hour
Journeyman: $22.00 - $31.00 per hour

AMEs can expect to work outside and in hangers. Adverse conditions may include weather extremes, noise, odours, and danger. AMEs can also expect shift work. They must not be afraid of heights as they may work on the top of jet wings and fuselages.

AME-M is the most common and sought after classification of workers in the aerospace industry. As a result, AMEs will find employment opportunities throughout British Columbia concentrated around major airports.

BCIT - Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Category M

The program has multiple class start dates throughout the year. Each class attends the program for 16 continuous months with a short break at Christmas and in August. The program is designed to follow a national and international set of standards and is approved by Transport Canada. Graduates may be credited with 18 months experience towards the 48 months industry experience required by Transport Canada to obtain an AME "M" license. The student will attend lectures approximately 50 per cent of the time, while gaining hands-on experience 50 per cent of the time. The course is conducted in a large, well-equipped hangar at the Vancouver International Airport. The campus has a wide selection of tools and training aids, and more than 18 aircraft. The student will perform a variety of tasks, ranging from the use of basic hand tools through troubleshooting of an operable aircraft.

High School Diploma with the following subjects:

English 12 or Communications 12
Academic Math 11

Applicants must also meet one of the following entrance requirements:

English language proficiency
General Mechanics 11 (C+)
Automotive Mechanics 11 (C+)
Physics 11 (Pass)
BCIT Mechanical Aptitude Test
BCIT pretest is acceptable for English and Math and Mechanical aptitude
Good colour vision and an interest in mechanics is recommended

Note: Mature students may be given special consideration, subject to interview and testing by instructional staff.

Note: Applied Academics courses taught in BC high schools are acceptable as entrance requirements for BCIT programs.

16 months Full-time. Per Transport Canada, total experience for AME classifications may be reduced by one month for each 100 hours of approved basic training, up to a maximum of 50 percent of the total experience requirement for the rating.

Northern Lights College - Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Program

The program has 2 intakes (September and February) of 17 students each year. The course duration is a total of 1800 hours of both practical and theory training meeting the requirements of Transport Canada. It is divided into 3 semesters of approximately 5 months each, thereby requiring the students to attend classes for 15 months. Due to the program being approved by Transport Canada, graduates also receive an 18 month experience credit towards the 48 month experience requirement for an AME license.

High School Diploma with the following subjects:

Grade 11 Math (C+)
Physics (or equivalent) (C+)

Mature students with related experience, which does not have the above academic background, are required to write an assessment exam and participate in an assessment interview so as to determine academic admissibility. CAAT Test

Prospective students must have a medical check-up which indicates the student:

Is physically and mentally fit
Has good vision
Have no serious allergies to petroleum products
Is able to maintain balance while climbing ladders and work stands
Is capable of standing on a concrete floor for long periods of time

Note: The program does not reject applicants with colour blindness

Note: A valid medical certificate for a pilot's license is also accepted in lieu of a medical check-up

15 months Full-time. Per Transport Canada, total experience for AME classifications may be reduced by one month for each 100 hours of approved basic training, up to a maximum of 50 percent of the total experience requirement for the rating.