Diploma in Operational Meteorology: Icing, Windshear and Turbulence
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in operational meteorology (icing, windshear and turbulence): 8 modules covering aeronautical meteorology, aircraft icing, de-icing and ground operations, windshear, en-route turbulence, thunderstorms and weather risk management, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Operational Meteorology: Icing, Windshear and Turbulence — studying from Canada
Canada has a substantial aerospace sector, anchored in Montréal and Québec City, with major manufacturers and suppliers such as Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney Canada and CAE. Ontario's Greater Toronto and Ottawa regions host avionics, satellite and space technology firms, while the Canadian Space Agency coordinates national space programmes, including robotics for the International Space Station. Urban air mobility and drone operations are emerging under Transport Canada's regulatory framework. Engineers in this area typically work on airframe design, systems integration, certification and space mission support.
Fees for Canada: C$2,010 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Does a SEIUM qualification give me recognition with Canadian professional bodies for aerospace work?
Not automatically. In Canada, engineering is regulated by provincial and territorial associations such as Professional Engineers Ontario, which licence Professional Engineers (P.Eng.). SEIUM qualifications are private and are not official state degrees, so they do not confer P.Eng. status or accreditation. Recognition by employers or other bodies is decided case by case, so check directly with them before enrolling.
Will Canadian aerospace, drone or space employers value this training?
Employer valuation depends on the specific employer and role. Canada has a sizeable aerospace sector, including companies in Quebec, Ontario and Western Canada, and employers generally judge candidates on demonstrated skills, projects and experience. SEIUM's final project can serve as evidence of capability, but whether a private qualification carries weight is for each employer to decide. Discuss your goals with prospective employers.
Can I study this alongside a full-time job in Canada, and what about language?
Yes, the programmes are 100% online, so you can study from home at your own pace around work. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so plan your weekly time accordingly. Teaching is in English, and each student has an assigned technical tutor. Employer sponsorship and fees payable in instalments may help, depending on your circumstances.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Interpret operational aeronautical meteorological products.
Understand the mechanisms of ice formation on aircraft.
Apply de-icing procedures and holdover times.
Identify and manage windshear situations.
Analyse types of turbulence and their measurement indices.
Assess convective and volcanic phenomena.
Integrate meteorology into operational decision-making.
Who it's for
- Aeronautical meteorologists.
- Flight dispatchers.
- Airline transport pilots.
- Safety analysts dealing with weather-related events.
- Air traffic controllers.
- Aeronautical meteorology instructors.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to work for meteorological services.
What you'll work with
- ICAO Annex 3 (meteorological service for international air navigation)
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/373, Part-MET (requirements for meteorological service providers)
- CS-25 Appendices C and O (icing certification envelopes, including SLD)
- ICAO Doc 9817 (Manual on Low-level Wind Shear)
- SAE AS6285 (aircraft ground de-icing/anti-icing processes)
- SAE ARP4737 (aircraft de-icing/anti-icing methods)
- ICAO Doc 9640 (Manual of Aircraft Ground De-icing/Anti-icing Operations)
- Regulation (EU) 965/2012 (air operations)
- Python (MetPy)
- Ogimet
- NOAA Aviation Weather Center
- IDV (Unidata)
- Windy
8 modules
1.1Structure of the atmosphere and the standard atmosphere1.2Stability and convective processes1.3Air masses and fronts1.4METAR, TAF and SIGMET messages1.5Significant weather charts1.6World area forecast centres1.7ICAO Annex 31.8MET services in Europe1.9In-flight meteorological information1.10Workshop: interpretation of METAR, TAF and SIGMET
2.1Supercooled liquid water2.2Clear, rime and mixed ice2.3Supercooled large droplets (SLD) and freezing2.4Aerodynamic effects of ice2.5Engine icing and ice crystals2.6Certification Appendices C, O and P2.7Anti-icing and de-icing systems2.8Operating procedures in icing conditions2.9Icing forecasts: CIP and FIP2.10Case study: SLD icing accident
3.1Contamination of critical surfaces3.2The clean aircraft concept3.3Type I, II, III and IV fluids3.4Holdover times3.5De-icing procedures on the apron3.6Operators' de-icing programmes3.7SAE and EASA guidelines3.8Contaminated runways and braking3.9Global Reporting Format (GRF)3.10Practical: holdover time calculation
4.1Types of windshear: frontal, orographic and convective4.2Microbursts and their structure4.3Effects on aircraft performance4.4LLWAS detection systems4.5Terminal Doppler weather radar4.6Windshear lidar4.7Predictive airborne systems4.8Recovery manoeuvre4.9Alerts to flight crews4.10Case study: analysis of a microburst encounter
5.1Convective and in-cloud turbulence5.2Clear-air turbulence (CAT)5.3Mountain waves and rotors5.4Wake turbulence5.5EDR turbulence indices5.6GTG turbulence forecasting5.7Pilot reports (PIREPs)5.8Effects on the structure and the cabin5.9Avoidance procedures5.10Lab: analysis of a clear-air turbulence case
6.1Life cycle of a thunderstorm6.2Hail and lightning6.3Airborne weather radar6.4Avoidance of convective cells6.5Convection in the intertropical convergence zone6.6Volcanic ash and VAACs6.7Sand and dust storms6.8Reduced visibility and fog6.9Cloud heights and ceilings6.10Practical: interpretation of weather radar images
7.1Pre-flight weather briefing7.2Route and alternate planning7.3In-flight decision-making7.4Flight dispatch and meteorology7.5Weather data on the flight deck7.6Integration into ATM systems7.7Aerodrome climatology7.8Climate change and aviation7.9Lessons from weather-related accidents7.10Case study: diversion decision due to convection
8.1Selection of the route or aerodrome8.2Climatology of adverse phenomena8.3Icing risk analysis8.4Windshear and turbulence assessment8.5Forecasting tools used8.6Proposed operating procedures8.7Crew training plan8.8Conclusions and operational recommendations8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Python (MetPy), Ogimet, NOAA Aviation Weather Center, IDV (Unidata) and Windy, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: interpretation of icing forecast products, analysis of windshear and microburst encounters and assessment of en-route clear-air turbulence. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ICAO Annex 3, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/373 (Part-MET), CS-25 Appendices C and O, ICAO Doc 9817 (Manual on Low-level Wind Shear), SAE AS6285, SAE ARP4737, ICAO Doc 9640 (Manual of Aircraft Ground De-icing/Anti-icing Operations), Regulation (EU) 965/2012.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer able to run the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Python (MetPy), Ogimet, NOAA Aviation Weather Center, IDV (Unidata) and Windy, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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