Air Operations Support Technician

Overview: As a member of the military, Air Operations Support Technicians (AOS Tech) provide air maintenance support primarily in the areas of aircraft servicing and handling, general maintenance tasks, maintenance programs and projects, employment and training, supply and tool procurement/management, quality management, technical publication management, and maintenance records management.

Air Operations Support Technicians perform pre and post flight inspections, aircraft handling tasks such as parking, towing, marshalling, starting, refueling, and cleaning of aircraft. AOS Techs in the Reg Force may also perform airfield and base security duties, including site and aircraft security, guard and access control duties.

Air Operations Support Technicians provide support in the areas of:

• Aircraft servicing and handling
• Aircraft Maintenance Control & Records
• Technical Publications Library
• Quality Management
• Employment and Training
• Tool Crib
• Consumable Stores
• Project Management
• Airfield and base security

Work environment: Air Operations Support Technicians are employed primarily at air bases in aircraft maintenance organizations, in maintenance hangars, shop environments and on the flight line. Employment can vary from CAF bases and wings within Canada, including the Arctic, to overseas locations throughout the world in response to NATO and UN commitments.

Entry plans: No previous work experience or career-related skills are required. The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec. Foreign education may be accepted.

Training: 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, Quebec. Air Operations Support Technicians first attend the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering in Borden, Ontario.

Further training is required once posted to the unit including fleet specific servicing courses. As they progress in their career, Air Operations Support Technicians who demonstrate the required ability and potential may be offered advanced training in areas such as Employment and Training procedures, Aircraft Maintenance and Control procedures, Airworthiness, Quality Management, Project Management, and Career Management.

Part-time options: As a member of the Reserve Force, Air Operations Support Technicians provide air maintenance support primarily in the areas of assistance to Search and Rescue (SAR), airfield and base security, transport, and general duties. Reserve Air Operations Support Technicians will provide support in the areas of aircraft servicing and handling, assistance to Search and Rescue (SAR), airfield and base security, and transport and general labour.