Elizabet always had an interest in being a commercial pilot.
asserted
Elizabet → have → interest
When she arrived in Canada in 2022 after leaving Ukraine because of the war, she found a new opportunity at Mohawk College in Hamilton, which had partnered with local company KF Aerospace to provide a hands-on learning space for aircraft maintenance students.
asserted
which → arrive → students
She has recently completed an aviation maintenance engineer (AME) apprenticeship with Air Canada and will graduate in January 2027.
asserted
She → complete → January
“I was already pursuing a bachelor’s degree in aircraft operations to become a commercial pilot.
asserted
I → pursue → operations
That was my initial goal before I came in.
asserted
I → come → ?
I was waiting for my permanent residency, and that gave me the time to save up money, but also to explore different opportunities.
asserted
that → wait → opportunities
It was an easy shift because when you’re 16, you have a lot of ambitions and goals, and you’re very excited.
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you → ’re → ambitions
As I learned more about the industry, I discovered how much I enjoy the technical side and decided to pursue that path.
asserted
I → learn → path
“I think more women are opening up to the aviation technician profession.
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women → think → profession
Especially if you have a very open mentality
asserted
you → have → mentality
You have to be gentle, you have to be cautious of things, have patience, and attention to detail.
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you → have → detail
“You have to be clean in your work, as well, because certain components that you work with, for example, oxygen.
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you → have → example
It cannot be mixed with grease or any type of oil.
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It → mix → oil
Otherwise, it’s explosive.
asserted
it → ’ → ?
“Mohawk College was nice because it was close to home, but I also liked the way they organized things, the way they organized classes, and what they had in their hangar.
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they → like → hangar
You always have access to somebody who actually works in the industry to train you.
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who → have → you
“After I’ve had my time turning wrenches, I would like to come back to teaching and giving back to the community.
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I → have → community
“And, you know, even if I still want to pursue piloting someday, I could always get my private pilot license.
uncertain
I → know → license
The knowledge that I have about planes, I could always apply it there and have a very good understanding of how everything works.”
Mohawk College and KF Aerospace
To provide aviation students with hands-on experience, Mohawk College and KF Aerospace teamed up and opened a campus next to Hamilton International Airport in 2021.
uncertain
College → have → 2021
Now is a great time to train at Mohawk College to become an aviation maintenance engineer (AME) because the industry is taking off, said Grant Stevens, chief corporate services officer at KF Aerospace.
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Stevens → train → Aerospace
He said that is because many commercial airlines are looking to expand fleets and destinations, while Canada’s air force may also add more planes that will need routine maintenance.
uncertain
that → say → maintenance
“The reality is, you can’t fly an airplane unless a mechanic physically signs off and says, ‘This airplane is airworthy and safe to fly,’” he said.
asserted
he → fly → airplane
When KF Aerospace decided to expand its facility in Hamilton, it saw an opportunity to partner with Mohawk College to create a state-of-the-art training experience for Mohawk College aviation students.
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it → decide → students
With an expanded facility housing large aircraft, the students in the aviation program have access to the experience and guidance of on-site AMEs.
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students → expand → AMEs
“Students can do a field trip in about 30 seconds, literally walking through the doors, to see what type of work they would be doing in real life versus in the classroom,” said Stevens.
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Stevens → do → classroom
There’s also a computer lab, along with a Boeing 737NG virtual trainer and an Airbus A320 simulator, he said.
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he → ’ → trainer
KF Aerospace and Mohawk College host an annual open house for students and their families to tour the facility and to preview what the learning environment will be like.
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environment → host → what
Students who earn their required apprenticeship hours and write a Transport Canada license exam can work at home or abroad with their skills, said Stevens.
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Stevens → earn → skills
Stevens says students can potentially make around $50,000 annually out of school, and more than $100,000 after they’ve earned their license and have more experience under their wings.
asserted
they → say → wings
The Aporia
