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Aerospace Engineering Officer
OVERVIEW
They are responsible for all aspects of the engineering, maintenance and management of military aircraft (Air Force, Army or Navy) and all of their support equipment and facilities during military operations, in peacetime or at war.
WHAT THEY DO
Aerospace Engineering officers are responsible for all aspects of the engineering, maintenance and management of military aircraft (Air Force, Army or Navy) and all of their support equipment and facilities during military operations, in peacetime or at war. Aerospace Engineering officers manage and supervise the personnel and resources required for the servicing, inspection and repair of aircraft. They may be in charge of designing, developing and testing new systems and modifying existing ones or they may be responsible for conducting the life cycle management of aircraft and air weapon systems. Aerospace Engineering officers participate in the formulation of plans, policies, standards and specifications for present and future military aircraft and their support equipment and facilities, and provide technical advice on aircraft operation.
Read the interview with Captain Bentley, Aerospace Engineer.
Read the interview with Captain Bentley, Aerospace Engineer.QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
The preferred baccalaureate degrees are in Mechanical, Electrical or Computer Engineering. Degrees in Aerospace Systems, Industrial Engineering or Engineering Physics are all highly desirable whereas Fuels and Materials Engineering and Science degrees in Mathematics and Physics or Applied Science are acceptable. You must meet Canadian Forces medical standards and successfully complete a selection process that includes interviews and a wide range of examinations.
The Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) comprises a full undergraduate education (to the Bachelor's degree level) at the Royal Military College of Canada or another accredited Canadian university, followed by at least four years of service in the Regular component of the Canadian Forces as an Aerospace Engineer. To qualify for ROTP, you must have completed high school with the appropriate university-oriented credits, or be in Grade 12 in an appropriate program with full expectation of successful completion. You must also be willing to complete four years of obligatory service after graduation from university.
To qualify for direct entry as an AERE officer, you must have a university degree in one of the above-noted fields. A recruiting allowance may be provided to eligible applicants to this military occupation. Contact your local recruiter for details.
The Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) comprises a full undergraduate education (to the Bachelor's degree level) at the Royal Military College of Canada or another accredited Canadian university, followed by at least four years of service in the Regular component of the Canadian Forces as an Aerospace Engineer. To qualify for ROTP, you must have completed high school with the appropriate university-oriented credits, or be in Grade 12 in an appropriate program with full expectation of successful completion. You must also be willing to complete four years of obligatory service after graduation from university.
To qualify for direct entry as an AERE officer, you must have a university degree in one of the above-noted fields. A recruiting allowance may be provided to eligible applicants to this military occupation. Contact your local recruiter for details.
TRAINING
Phase I: Basic Officer Training
Following your successful application, you will be enrolled in the Canadian Forces and undertake the thirteen-week Basic Officer Training Course at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. You will learn the principles of leadership, the regulations and customs of the service, basic weapons handling, and first aid. You will also take part in a rigorous program of sports and fitness training. The Basic Officer Training course is given in English and French. Successful completion is a prerequisite for further training. At this point, if you enrolled under the Direct Entry Officer plan, you will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and attend a second language training course lasting approximately seven months, depending on your second language proficiency. If you enrolled under the Regular Officer Training plan, undertake second language training during their third summer.
Phase II: Practical Phase Training
The Practical Phase Training (PPT) program is designed to ensure that AERE candidates become familiar with the operations of an air wing and the duties of an AERE officer. This phase of training also provides “hands on” experience with aircraft maintenance technicians and supervisors, and allows you to become familiar with maintenance operations on individual aircraft types. Initially, you will attend the one-week AERE Orientation Course that introduces you to the aircraft operations branch, the AERE occupation and the fundamentals of safety when working around aircraft. Each summer, you will attend one of three practical phases ranging from 8 to 11 weeks in duration. Upon graduation, you will attend a 6-month basic course conducted in English or French at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering (CFSATE) in Borden, Ont. This course combines theoretical and practical exercises and covers leadership, management, and business skills on top of the core aeronautical fundamentals including operations, maintenance, and safety.
Following your successful application, you will be enrolled in the Canadian Forces and undertake the thirteen-week Basic Officer Training Course at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. You will learn the principles of leadership, the regulations and customs of the service, basic weapons handling, and first aid. You will also take part in a rigorous program of sports and fitness training. The Basic Officer Training course is given in English and French. Successful completion is a prerequisite for further training. At this point, if you enrolled under the Direct Entry Officer plan, you will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and attend a second language training course lasting approximately seven months, depending on your second language proficiency. If you enrolled under the Regular Officer Training plan, undertake second language training during their third summer.
Phase II: Practical Phase Training
The Practical Phase Training (PPT) program is designed to ensure that AERE candidates become familiar with the operations of an air wing and the duties of an AERE officer. This phase of training also provides “hands on” experience with aircraft maintenance technicians and supervisors, and allows you to become familiar with maintenance operations on individual aircraft types. Initially, you will attend the one-week AERE Orientation Course that introduces you to the aircraft operations branch, the AERE occupation and the fundamentals of safety when working around aircraft. Each summer, you will attend one of three practical phases ranging from 8 to 11 weeks in duration. Upon graduation, you will attend a 6-month basic course conducted in English or French at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering (CFSATE) in Borden, Ont. This course combines theoretical and practical exercises and covers leadership, management, and business skills on top of the core aeronautical fundamentals including operations, maintenance, and safety.
INITIAL EMPLOYMENT
Upon graduation, you will be employed at a flying unit. As an Aircraft Servicing Officer, Aircraft Repair Officer, Avionics Support Officer or Engineering Support Officer, you will support air operations by organizing, directing and planning the maintenance of aircraft and associated systems and equipment. These duties also require the effective management and leadership of personnel. Subsequent assignments could include one of the following: posting to the Aerospace Equipment Program Management division (DGAEPM) at National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ); providing engineering support to aircraft fleets, joining a Project Management team responsible for the procurement of new aerospace systems; working in project or flight test engineering at the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) in Cold Lake, Alta.; software development at a Software Engineering Development Unit; developmental and support engineering at the Aerospace and Telecommunications Engineering Support Squadron (ATESS) in Trenton, Ont.; assignment to a group or command headquarters, or instructional duties at the Royal Military College or the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering. You could also be posted to a number of highly sought-after exchange or liaison positions abroad. You will receive additional training throughout your career, including junior and senior staff courses, to improve your administrative and management skills. You may also have the opportunity to pursue Canadian Forces postgraduate training in a wide spectrum of engineering disciplines. Throughout your career, you will be working as a member of a highly skilled team dedicated to the defence of Canada, North America and the NATO alliance, and to the support of UN peacekeeping efforts worldwide.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Living and working conditions will vary considerably depending on the type of employment and environment. Normal peacetime duties require moderate physical effort. During combat conditions, operational exercises, salvage, testing and environmental training, physical effort may be strenuous. Physical and mental stress occur when operational commitments must be met, particularly during deployed operations, while supervising large numbers of personnel and making critical technical decisions. Stress also occurs as a result of the flight, armament and general safety requirements of air operations that require constant alertness to potential hazards. Appropriate training, environmental clothing and equipment are provided, and Aerospace Engineering Officers' health, safety and morale are closely monitored.
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