Aircraft Structures Technician

Opportunity

Are you a problem solver? Do you love working with metal and machinery? As an Aircraft Structures Technician in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), you’ll maintain and repair military aircraft in Air Force bases in Canada and around the world.

Overview
Aircraft Structures Technicians are members of the air maintenance team who handle, service and maintain CAF aircraft structures and components like aviation life support equipment. Aircraft Structures Technicians are skilled in metal and composite repair, refinishing, painting, machining and welding. They are integral to aircraft servicing, supply, tool control and safety. Their primary responsibilities include:

• Inspecting aircraft structures
• Restoring or repairing defects using unique aircraft fastening hardware, ferrous and non-ferrous materials, composite materials, chemicals, adhesives, paints and textiles
• Manufacturing and installing aircraft structural components for prototype projects
• Welding base metals, alloys and casting materials
• Manufacturing original aircraft equipment, components or replacement items
• Fabricating and repairing aircraft structures
• Conducting corrosion control inspections of ferrous and non-ferrous materials
• Maintaining life support equipment, ejection seats, fire suppression and oxygen systems
• Performing aircraft handling tasks, including parking, towing, marshalling, starting, refuelling, cleaning and de-icing
• Preparing and maintaining aircraft documentation and statistical data

To be eligible to apply to the CAF, you must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada
• Be at least 18 years old (17 years old with parental consent), except:
  • For the paid education programs you may be 16 years old (with parental consent)
  • For the Primary Reserve you may be 16 years old (with parental consent) and must be enrolled as a full-time student
• Have completed at least Grade 10 or Secondaire IV in Quebec (some jobs need higher levels of education)

Work Environment

Aircraft Structures Technicians provide aircraft structural maintenance during Navy, Army and Air Force operations. Inspections and repairs are carried out on the aircraft; however, aircraft component maintenance is normally performed in a hangar or a shop. They are usually stationed at CAF wings and bases within Canada, including the Arctic, but may be deployed to locations throughout the world in response to NATO and UN commitments.

Basic Military Qualification

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, or through various training establishments across Canada from Esquimalt, British Columbia, to Halifax, Nova Scotia. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. One main goal of this course is to ensure all recruits maintain the CAF physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding but achievable.

Aircraft Structures Technician Training

Aircraft Structures Technicians attend the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering in Borden, Ontario. Training takes approximately 65 weeks and includes:

• Shop mathematics and the use of measuring tools
• Interpretation of mechanical drawings and blueprints
• Metallurgy and identification of base metals, alloys and composite materials
• Fabrication of aircraft parts and aircraft sheet metal repair
• Performing cutting and drilling operations
• Machining external and internal surfaces using engine lathe and milling machines
• Installation of non-permanent fasteners
• Refinishing metal, synthetic and composite surfaces
• Identification of types and use of paints, sealants, epoxies and mixing agents
• Welding
• Aircraft servicing
• Maintenance of life-support equipment, ejection seats, fire suppression and oxygen systems

Available Specialty Training

Aircraft Structures Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:

• Quality Assurance – Special Metal Welding
• Advanced Composite Repair
• Technical Writing
• Non-Destructive Testing
• Life Cycle Material Management
• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Turning Centre
• CNC Machining Centre – Operation
• CNC Machining Centre – Programming
• Helicopter Rotor Blade Repair
• Advanced Selective Brush Electroplating
• Aircraft-specific courses
• Cryogenic Bulk Storage and Handling
• Recovery and Salvage Team Member

Available Advanced Training

As they progress in their career, Aircraft Structures Technicians who demonstrate the required ability and potential may be offered advanced training. Available courses include:

• Technical Administration
• Leadership and Management

Required Education

Direct Entry Officer Plan

Ideal candidates will already have a diploma. If you have a university or college diploma, the CAF will decide if your academic program matches the criteria for this job and may place you directly into any on-the-job training program that is required, following Basic Training. Basic Training is required before being assigned.

Please note that, if successful in the application process, you will be entering service in either the Regular Force (full-time employment) or Primary Reserve Force (part-time employment) of the Canadian Armed Forces as a military member.

• Regular Force: Upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career.

• Primary Reserve Force: You will be joining the Primary Reserve Force through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends with possibilities of full-time employment.

To learn more about the various ways to join the Canadian Armed Forces, visit: https://forces.ca/en/how-to-join/#wj

Join the CAF

To learn more about becoming an Aircraft Structures Technician, visit www.forces.ca, talk to a recruiter at a centre near you or call 1-800-856-8488.

Explore over 100 different career opportunities at www.forces.ca/en/careers.