Category: Aviation Maintenance Technician School

  • Orange Coast College

    Orange Coast College

    Orange Coast College (OCC) in Costa Mesa, California, hosts one of the most well-established and respected Aviation Maintenance Technology programs in the region. OCC provides an FAA-certified curriculum that allows students to earn as Associate of Science degree while completing the full 1,900+ hours required for their A&P certificate. The program is located at the college’s expansive technical education complex, featuring a professional-grade hangar and diverse fleet of training aircraft.

    OCC’s AMT program is noted for its high standards and its focus on developing technicians for both major commercial airlines and the vibrant corporate aviation sector of Southern California. The curriculum covers advanced avionics, turbine engine overhaul, and complex structural repair, ensuring students are prepared for the full technical breadth of the industry. OCC-trained technicians are recognized for their technical proficiency, attention to detail, and deep understanding of FAA regulations, making the college a primary source of talent for the regional aerospace workforce.

  • Rock Valley College

    Rock Valley College

    Rock Valley College (RVC) in Rockford, Illinois, operates a state-of-the-art Aviation Career Education Center at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. The Aviation Maintenance Technology program offers an AAS degree and FAA-approved A&P training. This modern facility allows students to train on a fleet of operational aircraft in a professional hangar environment. RVC’s program is a key workforce partner for the growing aviation maintenance hub in Rockford, providing graduates with direct pathways to major MRO employers.

  • Southern Arkansas University Tech

    Southern Arkansas University Tech

    Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech), located in Camden, offers an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technology program. The school, situated in the Highland Industrial Park, provides a focused technical education for aspiring Airframe and Powerplant mechanics. The program features small class sizes and personalized instruction, with a strong emphasis on hands-on skill development. SAU Tech plays a vital role in training the technical workforce for the aerospace and defense industries in southern Arkansas.

  • State Technical College of Missouri

    State Technical College of Missouri

    State Technical College of Missouri (State Tech), located in Linn, offers a premier Aviation Maintenance program. As ‘The A&P School of Missouri,’ it provides an AAS degree and FAA-approved training for Airframe and Powerplant mechanics. The college boasts a 93% placement rate and utilizes a functional airport campus with a diverse fleet of aircraft. The curriculum emphasizes advanced avionics and turbine technology, preparing graduates for top-tier industry positions.

  • U.S. Aviation Academy – Minneapolis

    U.S. Aviation Academy – Minneapolis

    U.S. Aviation Academy operates FAA Part 147 aviation maintenance training designed to prepare students for the Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate through an accelerated, career-focused model. At the Minneapolis area location, the program is positioned as an immersive pathway for career changers and aviation enthusiasts who want to move from training to employment faster than the traditional 21-24 month timeline often associated with many A&P schools. turn1search5

    Training model and what students do: Across its A&P program pages, U.S. Aviation emphasizes hands-on learning with real aircraft components and shop work, supported by classroom instruction aligned to FAA standards. The school highlights that its A&P curriculum is FAA Part 147 approved and that students work through the knowledge areas required for the FAA written tests and the oral and practical exams. The Minneapolis program page also emphasizes that tools are provided for use during training, which can reduce a major out-of-pocket expense that students sometimes face at other schools. turn1search5

    Location and facilities: The Minneapolis A&P training site is based at Anoka County-Blaine Airport (ANE) in Blaine, Minnesota. The published campus address and contact phone are provided on U.S. Aviation’s program pages, which is useful for prospective students comparing commute time, nearby housing options, and local aviation employers. turn1search5

    Schedule and program length: US Aviation describes an 8-month accelerated program (full-time commitment) and references longer options up to about 16 months. In practical terms, this means many students can choose an accelerated daytime track if they can attend full-time, while others may be able to pursue a longer night or alternative schedule depending on what the campus offers at the time. For prospects, the right question to ask admissions is which start dates and schedules are currently running at this campus and what the expected weekly time commitment looks like for each option.

    Costs and approvals: US Aviation states the program is priced around $36,000 and positions it as lower than many competitors; confirm current tuition/fees with admissions. The Minneapolis campus explicitly notes it is not VA approved. Because pricing and funding eligibility can change, it’s smart to ask for an itemized cost sheet (tuition, fees, books/materials, exam prep/testing, and any optional expenses). If you plan to use veteran education benefits, confirm GI Bill eligibility and campus approval status directly with the school before enrolling.

    Who this school fits best: U.S. Aviation Academy is best suited for students who want a faster A&P pathway, prefer a hands-on airport environment, and value a program that highlights tools-provided training and industry connections. If you’re highly motivated and can handle an accelerated pace, the Minneapolis A&P program is positioned as a direct route into aircraft maintenance roles supporting airlines, charter operators, and aviation maintenance organizations. turn1search5

  • Amarillo College

    Amarillo College

    Amarillo College offers an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technology program designed to meet the growing global demand for certified aircraft mechanics. Based at the college’s East Campus in the Aviation Performance Center, the program provides both an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and certificate options for Airframe and Powerplant ratings. The 21-month curriculum is structured to provide a balanced mix of classroom theory and hands-on laboratory experience, ensuring students develop the diagnostic and mechanical skills necessary for a successful career in the aerospace industry.

    Students at Amarillo College train in state-of-the-art facilities equipped with industry-standard tools and a variety of aircraft and engine types. The program covers essential areas such as aircraft structures, propulsion systems, and advanced troubleshooting of electrical and fuel systems. Amarillo College’s instructors are industry veterans who focus on safety, precision, and adherence to FAA Part 147 regulations. Graduates are meticulously prepared for the federal certification process, finding success with major air carriers, repair stations, and fixed-base operators throughout Texas and beyond.

  • Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Kansas City

    Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Kansas City

    The Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) in Kansas City offers an FAA-certified Part 147 program that serves as a vital training resource for the aviation industry in America’s heartland. The campus provides an intensive and focused curriculum designed to prepare technicians for the Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification exams. AIM Kansas City features a professional hangar environment where students receive hands-on instruction in the repair and maintenance of aircraft structures and propulsion systems, focusing on the high-level precision required for flight safety.

    The curriculum at Kansas City moves students through a series of focused modules, covering essential topics such as aircraft electrical systems, structural sheet metal, and turbine engine overhaul. The program is designed for technicians who want a direct and efficient path to licensure, emphasizing the practical skills that make graduates immediately employable. AIM Kansas City’s career services team works closely with regional airlines and FAA-certified repair stations to provide students with job placement support. Graduates leave the program with the technical competence and regulatory understanding needed to succeed in the demanding world of commercial and general aviation maintenance.

  • Canadian Valley Technology Center

    Canadian Valley Technology Center

    Canadian Valley Technology Center (CV Tech) offers an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technology program at its El Reno Campus in Oklahoma. The 20-month program provides nearly 2,000 hours of intensive training, preparing students for the full suite of Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification exams. CV Tech’s curriculum is deeply rooted in aviation science and theory, covering aircraft shop practices, metallic structure repair, and advanced reciprocating and turbine engine systems. The center also maintains a partnership with Redlands Community College, offering graduates a pathway to earn an AAS degree.

    Students at CV Tech gain hands-on experience in specialized labs focusing on sheet metal fabrication, landing gear troubleshooting, and electrical component maintenance. The program is known for its rigorous training standards and its emphasis on flight safety and procedural accuracy. By providing a comprehensive education in both traditional and modern maintenance techniques, CV Tech equips its students with the versatility needed to support commercial, private, and regional aviation sectors. Graduates enter the workforce as skilled technicians, often securing competitive starting salaries in Oklahoma’s robust aerospace and defense industries.

  • Columbia Gorge Community College

    Columbia Gorge Community College

    Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) offers a modern and comprehensive Aviation Maintenance Technology program designed to address the critical global shortage of skilled aircraft technicians. Based in The Dalles, Oregon, this FAA-approved program features a stackable certificate model that leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree. The curriculum is meticulously structured to prepare students for the full suite of FAA licensure exams, covering aircraft structures, propulsion systems, and the complex integrated systems of modern airframes and rotorcraft.

    The CGCC program emphasizes hands-on mastery and critical thinking, with students performing actual maintenance and inspections on a fleet of authentic aircraft. The training includes advanced instruction in composite materials, avionics troubleshooting, and both piston and turbine engine theory. By fostering a collaborative and professional learning environment, CGCC produces job-ready graduates who are well-equipped to service and maintain the diverse aircraft operating across the United States. The program’s commitment to technical excellence and industry-standard safety makes it a vital engine for the regional aerospace economy.

  • Florida State College at Jacksonville

    Florida State College at Jacksonville

    Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) provides aviation training through its Cecil Center campus, which houses the college’s aviation programs. For students pursuing an aviation maintenance career, FSCJ’s Aviation Maintenance Management associate program is an option that combines academic coursework with the technical foundation needed in maintenance environments. FSCJ frames this as an associate-level pathway that connects aviation maintenance knowledge with broader skills in operations, organization, and professional practice-useful for students who want the A&P testing pathway as well as longer-term growth opportunities in supervision, quality, or maintenance management roles.

    Because aviation maintenance is a regulated trade, the most important question for any school is: “Does this program make me eligible to test for the FAA mechanic certificate?” FSCJ’s aviation offerings are concentrated at Cecil Center, and prospective students should confirm the exact set of courses they need for Airframe and Powerplant eligibility, the sequence for General/Airframe/Powerplant content, and whether the program is delivered through a Part 147-approved curriculum or through a combination of programs and pathways. A smart way to validate fit is to ask admissions (or the aviation department) to map your planned course sequence to your intended testing goal (Airframe & Powerplant) before you enroll. turn15search2

    Location and access are also a practical advantage here. Cecil Center is explicitly positioned as the home for FSCJ’s aviation programs, and the campus contact details are straightforward-helpful for students who want to schedule a visit, talk through prerequisites, or understand timelines and start terms.

    In your day-to-day experience, an aviation maintenance student should expect a mix of technical study and applied learning. On the technical side, that includes maintenance publications and regulations, electricity and basic electronics, hydraulics/pneumatics, inspection standards, corrosion control, and aircraft systems fundamentals. On the applied side, it’s about learning how maintenance actually works: safe tool practices, repeatable procedures, documentation discipline, and troubleshooting logic. If you plan to work while in school, ask FSCJ about course availability by term and the typical weekly lab schedule so you can understand whether your plan is truly “day,” “evening,” or a mix across semesters.

    FSCJ is a strong candidate for students who want a college environment with aviation programs housed at a dedicated campus, and who value an associate degree structure in addition to the maintenance technical pathway. When you compare it to other options, focus on three decision points: (1) confirmed FAA eligibility for the rating(s) you want, (2) the time-to-completion for your planned sequence, and (3) how much hands-on lab time you will get each week. If those line up with your goals, FSCJ can be a practical and flexible way to start building a career in aviation maintenance.