Reference
AME Terminology Glossary
Plain-language definitions for the terms and acronyms that come up constantly in Canadian AME licensing — without the regulatory jargon.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-10
Licensing terms
AME (Aircraft Maintenance Engineer): a person licensed by Transport Canada to independently certify (sign off) aircraft maintenance within the scope of their rating. AMO (Approved Maintenance Organization): a maintenance organization Transport Canada has approved to perform and certify aircraft maintenance, and where much apprentice-style AME experience is built. ATO (Approved Training Organization): a school or program Transport Canada has approved to deliver basic AME training that counts toward licensing requirements. Rating: one of the specific licence categories (M1, M2, E, S, or Balloons) an AME licence is granted for — see our full guide to the Canadian AME licence.
Regulatory terms
CARs (Canadian Aviation Regulations): the primary body of aviation regulations in Canada, made under the Aeronautics Act. Standard 566: the specific standard made under CARs that sets out AME licensing and training requirements in detail — see our full guide. Maintenance release: the formal certification that a specific piece of maintenance work has been completed to an airworthy standard — the thing an AME licence authorizes someone to sign.
Experience and exam terms
Appendix A: the table in Standard 566 setting out specific training/experience/examination requirements by rating. Appendix B: the task list in Standard 566 used to demonstrate task-level maintenance experience, organized by ATA chapter. Regulatory exam: the Transport Canada examination testing knowledge of the CARs framework itself. Technical exam: the Transport Canada examination testing rating-specific systems/technical knowledge.
ATA chapters
ATA chapter refers to a standard, industry-wide numbering system (from the Air Transport Association) used to categorize aircraft systems consistently across maintenance manuals, parts catalogs, and — relevant here — Standard 566's Appendix B task list. Rather than describing a system in free text every time, maintenance documentation across the industry references it by its ATA chapter number, so different manuals and organizations stay consistent with each other. See our Appendix B guide for how this shows up specifically in AME experience documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this glossary an official Transport Canada resource?
No — PassCARs is an independent study platform, not affiliated with or endorsed by Transport Canada. This glossary explains commonly used terms in plain language; for authoritative legal definitions, refer to the Canadian Aviation Regulations and CARs Standard 566 directly.
What's the difference between an ATO and an AMO?
An ATO delivers approved training (the education side); an AMO performs and certifies actual aircraft maintenance (the work side). Many people build AME experience at an AMO while their training credit comes from an ATO — the two play different roles.
Will more terms be added to this glossary?
PassCARs expands its guide library deliberately rather than all at once — see our full guides list for the current set of topics covered.
Official Transport Canada References
PassCARs is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Transport Canada. For authoritative, current requirements, always refer to the official sources below.
Related Guides
CARs Standard 566 Explained: The Rulebook Behind Your AME Licence
The standard that sets out exactly what Transport Canada requires before you can hold an AME licence — in plain language.
CARs Standard 566, Appendix B: The Maintenance Task List
Appendix B is the specific list of maintenance tasks your logged experience needs to demonstrate — organized by ATA chapter, with a 70% completion threshold.
M1 vs M2: Understanding the Two Canadian AME Mechanical Ratings
The two mechanical AME ratings are defined by aircraft type, not by seniority — here is exactly how Transport Canada draws the line.
The AME Regulatory Exam: What It Tests and How It's Scored
The regulatory exam tests the CARs framework itself — the "what and why" of aircraft maintenance regulation, separate from rating-specific technical knowledge.
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