Aircraft Structures Technician Certificate

This program will provide students with comprehensive training in the construction, repair, and maintenance of aircraft structures, including sheet metal, composites, and fabric materials.

Program Highlights:

  • Curriculum: The program covers essential topics such as structural materials, fabrication techniques, damage assessment, and corrosion control. Students will gain hands-on experience in building and repairing various aircraft structures, preparing them for real-world challenges in the aviation industry.

  • Facilities: Training will take place in a state-of-the-art hangar at the Cold Lake Regional Airport, providing an authentic environment for learning and practice.

Please Note:  Applications tentatively open Fall 2025 for this program.

More international students are choosing Portage College to start or complete their studies because of the personal attention they receive and the high standard of instruction.

Career Potential

The certificate aligns with the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering – Structural (AME-S)
trade, which allows students to work as Aircraft Structures Technicians upon completion of the program.

Credentials

Certificate 

Admission Requirements
Math 20-1
English 30-2

Use this chart to check Provincial high school equivalencies accepted at Portage College. Note: This is just a guide.

English Language Proficiency Information

Transferability N/A

Program Start/End Date
August 2026 - June 2027

Application Deadline
August 15, 2026

Delivery
In Person

Location:
Cold Lake

Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50

Tuition Fees to be announced at a later date.

International Student Fees
Application Fee $160.00

Tuition to be announced at a later date.

Aircraft Structures Technician

  • INTRODUCTION TO AVIATION STRUCTURES

    Course ID: AVST100

    Name: INTRODUCTION TO AVIATION STRUCTURES

    Hours: 150

    Credits: 7

    This course provides students with introductory knowledge of standard shop practices, workplace safety, and the fundamental concepts of aircraft design and construction. Students will learn basic aerodynamics, the functions and purpose of aircraft components, and will begin working with ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

  • METAL AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION 1

    Course ID: AVST101

    Name: METAL AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION 1

    Hours: 150

    Credits: 7

    This course will continue to build on the student's knowledge of Aviation Structures, and the fundamental concepts of aircraft design and construction. Learner will be introduced to fastener installations and continue their training on shop skills by fabricating increasingly more complex aircraft structural components. 

  • METAL AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION 2

    Course ID: AVST102

    Name: METAL AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION 2

    Hours: 150

    Credits: 7

    This course will continue to build on the student's knowledge of aviation structures and fundamental concepts of aircraft design and construction.  Learners will continue their training on shop skills by fabricating increasingly complex aircraft structural components and then joining these components into aircraft structural assemblies.

  • SPECIAL PROCESSES/PRACTICES

    Course ID: AVST200

    Name: SPECIAL PROCESSES/PRACTICES

    Hours: 150

    Credits: 7

    This course will continue to build on the student's knowledge of aviation structures and on the fundamental concepts of aircraft design and construction by learning and applying shop skills to special processes and practices.

  • COMPOSITE FABRICATION/REPAIR

    Course ID: AVST201

    Name: COMPOSITE FABRICATION/REPAIR

    Hours: 180

    Credits: 9

    This course will continue to build on the student's knowledge of the Aviation Structures, and the fundamental concepts of aircraft design and construction. In this course, students will train on the special shop skills required for composite fabrication and repairs.  The course includes a module on flight control balance aircraft weight and balance.

  • DAMAGE ASSESSMENT/REPAIR 1

    Course ID: AVST202

    Name: DAMAGE ASSESSMENT/REPAIR 1

    Hours: 150

    Credits: 7

    This course continues to build on the student's knowledge of aviation structures, and on the fundamental concepts of aircraft design and construction. In this course learners will learn about the modification of existing aircraft structure, and will begin learning about repairs to damaged structure.

  • DAMAGE ASSESSMENT/REPAIR 2

    Course ID: AVST300

    Name: DAMAGE ASSESSMENT/REPAIR 2

    Hours: 132

    Credits: 6

    This course will continue to build on the student's knowledge of the Aviation Structures and the fundamental concepts of aircraft design and construction.  Students will learn about damage assessment and compete their training on repairs to damaged structures.

We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.
Facebook Instagram Linkedin RSS Twitter YouTube TikTok