Aircraft Technical Services (L7, 30 ECTS)

The aim of this programme is to give participants an opportunity to develop a detailed knowledge of the key aircraft technical services areas. These comprise of Aircraft Records during a lease transition process, Continued Airworthiness Management (CAMO) ensuring compliance with Aircraft Manufactures Maintenance Programmes and governing EASA /FAA regulations, and of Part 21 Design, examining Airworthiness Legislation, it’s impact on both aircraft design and any minor or major modifications.

Aircraft Technical Services providers ensure that the aircraft asset value is maintained for leasing companies and all required maintenance is completed according to regulation defined by the state. These include the initial and continued airworthiness of aircraft and any modifications during its life cycle. These tasks must be documented, technical records are a large value of the aircraft asset up and including to its final scrapping. This course is designed to upskill experienced aircraft maintenance personnel, providing them with knowledge of the required Technical Records, Initial and Continued Airworthiness Management to enable them to enter new roles within the aviation industry as Aircraft Technical Representatives.

Skills shortages in Aircraft Technical Services and training solutions have been identified in partnership with the Regional Skills Forum and industry partners AerCap, Nordic Aviation Capital, Shannon Technical Services, Eirtech Aviation and CAE Parc Aviation, a major aviation recruitment agency and provider of engineering and technical support services to the aviation industry based in Shannon. The team are in regular contact with the regional skills forum manager as the aviation sector is seen as a strategic priority for the region. These companies are actively engaged providing instructors, placing employees on the courses, as well as recruiting graduates regularly. These partners are part of the International Aviation Services Cluster which makes up of about seventy-five aerospace and aviation companies in the region.

As context, Aircraft leasing is centred on complex financial details, it involves the ownership and operation of physical aircraft. These aircraft move between lessors and airlines on a regular basis. All maintenance and exchanges require material checks and administrative tasks. Irish lessors manage €80bn in assets worldwide and there are more than 250 companies involved in the aerospace, aviation and space sectors in Ireland, providing employment for around 42,000 full-time workers. Annually, up to 100 aircraft are transitioned at Shannon, generating an estimated €30 million worth of business to aircraft technical service providers in this field every year. This has increased due to the volume of aircraft being transitioned because of the Covid19 Pandemic. Locally the Shannon Cluster is a rich pool of students. Nationally, there are 2600 highly skilled jobs directly related to the MRO sector (Maintenance Overhaul Repair) in Ireland. These experienced personnel are ideal candidates for this course as they possess the technical knowledge and experience required for these roles but require key knowledge, which this course provides. Each year there are are 50-70 applications for 35 places showing strong demand.

Identified during ongoing discussions and input over a number of years with industry partner companies CAE Parc Aviation, AerCap, Eirtech Aviation, Shannon Technical Services and others. The growing technical services personnel requirements of these companies have highlighted the skills gaps. This has led to the target cohort of aircraft maintenance personnel and individuals with an aviation related background being identified. Graduates from other third level courses are targets as this course provides them with an opportunity to enter the industry.

• Register Your Interest (Sept-23)