Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) – Hagerstown Branch Campus offers a focused Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program designed to prepare students for the FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification exams. For students who want a fast, trade-school style route into aircraft maintenance, the Hagerstown campus publishes an accelerated structure: AMT is listed as a 16-month diploma/certificate program delivered over 4 terms and totaling 1,900 clock hours. That hour count and structure are important because they indicate the program is built around FAA eligibility requirements and a high volume of hands-on training time, which is typically what employers expect from entry-level A&P candidates.

PIA’s Hagerstown campus is located at 14516 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland. This campus is part of PIA’s broader network (Pittsburgh, Hagerstown, Myrtle Beach, and Youngstown), and PIA emphasizes that its AMT curriculum is based on aviation industry practices, with training intended to be transferable into maintenance careers across airlines, MROs, and general aviation environments. When evaluating fit, students should ask how the program balances theory and lab/shop time, what aircraft systems and components are used for hands-on instruction, and how test preparation for written, oral, and practical exams is integrated throughout the 4-term sequence.

One advantage PIA provides is transparent published tuition and fee information. For the 2025-2026 clock-hour program, PIA lists total AMT tuition at $29,520 (tuition only) for the full 1,900-hour program, along with estimated costs for books, tools, and supplies and standard school fees. PIA also explicitly lists the FAA A&P examination fees as a separate cost item, which is helpful for budgeting because many students underestimate the total certification testing expenses. For students starting after July 1, 2026, PIA notes that branch campuses are converting to a credit-hour model and provides a separate tuition schedule for that format as well.

PIA’s campus pages also highlight student support and outcomes, including financial aid guidance and graduate placement reporting to its accreditor. During your admissions process, ask Hagerstown specifically about employer recruiting relationships in Maryland and the surrounding region, the types of first jobs graduates typically pursue, and whether PIA hosts hiring events or provides interview preparation support. Also ask about attendance expectations, lab safety policies, tool requirements, and how quickly a student can move from enrollment to their first day in the program since start dates can be a major factor in how soon you enter the workforce.

Overall, PIA-Hagerstown is a strong option for students who want a shorter, accelerated AMT pathway with a clear 16-month structure, published costs, and a curriculum explicitly aimed at preparing graduates for FAA A&P certification exams.