Category: Aviation Maintenance Technician School

  • Guilford Technical Community College

    Guilford Technical Community College

    Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) is home to the largest Aviation Systems Technology program in North Carolina, operating from its expansive aviation campus near Piedmont Triad International Airport. As an FAA-certified Part 147 school, GTCC provides an elite training environment featuring a 12,000-square-foot hangar and specialized labs for engine theory, avionics, and structural repair. The program offers multiple pathways, including a six-semester Associate degree and a 20-month certificate track focused on Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licensure.

    The GTCC curriculum is characterized by its technical rigor and its focus on the practical mastery of aircraft maintenance. Students engage in the inspection, repair, and servicing of a diverse fleet of training aircraft and rotorcraft, mastering the diagnostic skills essential for modern flight safety. The program’s massive scale and strong industry connections provide students with unparalleled networking opportunities, with many graduates securing roles at major regional MRO facilities and international airlines. Guilford Tech-trained technicians are recognized for their technical versatility, their deep foundation in federal regulations, and their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of airworthiness.

  • Lake Superior College

    Lake Superior College

    Lake Superior College (LSC) in Duluth, Minnesota offers an Aviation Maintenance Technology program leading to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, positioned as a pathway to FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic testing and entry into the aircraft maintenance workforce. The program is based at LSC’s Center for Advanced Aviation in Duluth, which the college describes as a regional aviation hub. For students, this matters because being embedded in an active aviation community can increase exposure to employers, aircraft, and real operational contexts that shape maintenance careers.

    LSC’s program page emphasizes skills tied directly to FAA and industry expectations. Students train to pass the FAA Airframe and Powerplant mechanic tests, interpret technical information and aircraft records, perform maintenance tasks, document work to FAA regulatory standards, and maintain aircraft in airworthy condition. That mix of technical competencies and documentation discipline reflects the realities of the maintenance profession, where safe work and compliant records are as important as the wrench-turning itself.

    A notable strength of LSC’s AMT program is its industry partnership positioning. The college states that it has been selected by Delta Air Lines as an approved partner college for training future aviation maintenance technicians. The program also highlights relationships with other aviation employers and organizations, including Cirrus, Endeavor Air, Sun Country, and more who hire LSC graduates. In addition, LSC has publicly discussed expanded partnerships such as initiatives with AAR that include job shadowing, mentoring opportunities, and potential tuition reimbursement pathways for eligible students pursuing FAA aircraft mechanic certification. For students, these partnerships can translate into clearer career pathways, networking opportunities, and stronger alignment between training and employer needs.

    From a timeline standpoint, LSC notes that the AAS program may be completed in two years if prerequisites are complete. This is useful planning information because aviation maintenance programs often include general education and prerequisite coursework that can affect graduation time. For affordability, LSC provides comparisons showing its tuition rates within the Minnesota State system and directs students to tuition and fee estimates for the program. The program page also provides clear contact information for student services, which can help applicants ask questions about admissions steps, prerequisites, transfer options, financial aid, and program availability.

    LSC’s environment is described as supportive and student-focused, with a stated 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an emphasis on avoiding large lecture halls. For many students, that kind of learning setting can improve retention and confidence in technical labs where instructors can provide direct feedback. Overall, LSC’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program is positioned as a two-year, employer-connected pathway for students who want to train in Duluth’s aviation ecosystem and pursue the widely recognized A&P credential.

  • Metro Technology Center

    Metro Technology Center

    Metro Technology Centers (Metro Tech) in Oklahoma City offers an FAA Part 147-aligned Aviation Maintenance Technician program located at its Aviation Campus at OKC Will Rogers International Airport. The program is designed for adults who want direct, hands-on preparation for aircraft maintenance careers and for the FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic exams. Metro Tech’s program description emphasizes aircraft inspection and maintenance skills, an FAA-approved curriculum, and schedule options that work for both daytime students and working adults.

    The Aviation Maintenance Technician curriculum is described as training students to inspect and perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alteration of aircraft and aircraft systems. Metro Tech states that the program prepares students with the knowledge and skills required to pass both the Airframe Mechanic and the Powerplant Mechanic exams administered by the FAA. That means students are training toward the two core ratings employers expect for entry-level aircraft mechanics, using a curriculum supervised and certified under Part 147 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

    A differentiator on Metro Tech’s page is the detail provided about program structure. The published program length is 1,920 total hours, broken into Aerospace General (640 hours), Airframe I (640 hours), and Powerplant I (640 hours). This hour-based layout gives students a concrete sense of how the training is organized from foundational aviation knowledge through the specialized airframe and engine-focused skill sets. The program also lists certifications available within the training track, including Airframe, Power Plant, and General categories, aligning with typical FAA knowledge areas students must master before pursuing A&P testing.

    Metro Tech publishes class schedule options: a daytime schedule (Monday-Thursday, 7:00 AM-3:00 PM) and an evening schedule (Monday-Thursday, 3:00 PM-11:00 PM). This flexibility is a major benefit in a technical program because it can reduce the need to pause employment while completing training.

    Metro Tech also provides transparent cost information, listing in-state and out-of-state tuition, plus supplies and exam/fee estimates. The page notes that financial aid and VA educational benefits may be available for those who qualify. For students looking for a structured, FAA-focused A&P pathway with published schedules, airport-based training, and clear hour and cost details, Metro Tech’s Aviation Maintenance Technician program is designed to be a practical on-ramp into the aviation maintenance workforce.

    Because the program is based at an active commercial airport, students benefit from training in an environment where aviation operations are part of the daily backdrop. That can reinforce professional habits like safety awareness, tool control, and attention to detail. Metro Tech also lists student organizations such as the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) and SkillsUSA, which can be useful for students who want additional community, competition opportunities, and resume-building experiences while they train. Altogether, the program is presented as a focused, schedule-friendly way to progress toward FAA testing eligibility and entry into the AMT job market.

  • North Valley Occupational Center

    North Valley Occupational Center

    North Valley Occupational Center (NVOC) in Los Angeles offers a highly regarded, FAA-approved Aviation Mechanics program. As part of potential adult education offerings in the LAUSD, NVOC provides an affordable and accessible pathway to the Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license. The program is known for its intensive, hands-on training that covers the complete FAA Part 147 curriculum, preparing students for the written, oral, and practical exams.

    The NVOC Aviation Center is located at the Van Nuys Airport, one of the busiest general aviation airports in the world. This location immerses students in a professional aviation environment. The program covers aircraft structures, welding, hydraulics, and engine maintenance on both piston and turbine powerplants. NVOC attracts a diverse student body and is praised for its experienced instructors who bring decades of industry knowledge to the classroom. Graduates of the program are widely recruited by major commercial airlines, cargo carriers, and local maintenance repair organizations.

  • Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics – Youngstown

    Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics – Youngstown

    Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) – Youngstown Branch Campus provides Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) training built around a clear, accelerated route to FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification. PIA publishes the Youngstown AMT program as a 16-month diploma/certificate delivered over 4 terms totaling 1,900 clock hours. That structure is important for prospective students because it signals a program designed to meet FAA eligibility requirements through a high volume of practical training and tightly sequenced technical coursework.

    The Youngstown campus is located at 1501 Youngstown-Kingsville Road NE (Suite H3), Vienna, Ohio 44473. As with PIA’s other branch campuses, the training is described as preparing students for the FAA A&P certification exams meaning the program’s curriculum is intended to cover the General, Airframe, and Powerplant subject areas and the hands-on skills required for the practical evaluations. For students comparing programs, the most useful next step is to ask Youngstown admissions for the current course sequence, weekly schedule expectations, and the breakdown of theory versus lab/shop time. In aviation maintenance, the amount and quality of hands-on practice often determines how confident graduates feel when they enter the workforce.

    PIA also provides unusually detailed tuition and fee information directly on the campus page, which makes budgeting easier. For the 2025-2026 clock-hour program, PIA lists total AMT tuition at $28,440 (tuition only) for the 1,900-hour program, along with estimated charges for books, tools, and supplies and standard school fees (registration, uniform, technology, and materials fees). PIA also lists FAA A&P examination fees as a separate line item, acknowledging that the series of written, oral, and practical exams needed for A&P certification carries its own costs. PIA notes that branch campuses are converting from clock-hour programs to a credit-hour model for students starting after July 1, 2026, and provides a separate tuition schedule for that format as well.

    Beyond price and timeline, the main factors to evaluate are outcomes and support. Ask the Youngstown campus about career services, employer recruiting relationships in Ohio and surrounding states, and the typical first roles graduates obtain (airline line maintenance, MRO hangar work, repair stations, or general aviation shops). Also ask about any housing guidance (PIA notes it provides a list of properties that past students have used), transportation expectations, and any program requirements related to background checks, drug screening, or tool kits.

    Overall, PIA-Youngstown is a strong option for students who want an accelerated, aviation-only training experience with a clearly published 16-month, 1,900-hour AMT pathway and an explicit focus on preparing graduates for the FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification exams.

  • Solano Community College

    Solano Community College

    Solano Community College offers an Aviation Maintenance Technician program at the Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville, California. This FAA-approved program provides the technical training required for the Airframe and Powerplant licenses. The facility includes a dedicated hangar and classrooms where students learn to service reciprocating and turbine engines, hydraulic systems, and aircraft structures. Solano’s program serves the workforce needs of the Northern California aviation corridor, including proximity to Travis Air Force Base.

  • Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology – Riverside

    Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology – Riverside

    Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology’s Inland Empire Area campus in Riverside, California offers an FAA Part 147-approved Aviation Maintenance Technology program designed to prepare students for FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification eligibility. Spartan notes that the Riverside campus is a branch campus of the Inglewood (Los Angeles Area) campus, and the program is built to teach entry-level technical skills in both airframe and powerplant so graduates can pursue the FAA mechanic certificate exams. For students in the Inland Empire who want a dedicated aviation maintenance pathway without commuting into Los Angeles, the Riverside location can be a practical option.

    The Riverside program is delivered as a diploma (certificate-style) outcome, and Spartan’s published campus supplement materials include concrete scheduling details for both day and night cohorts. That means students can choose a schedule that fits their life constraints: a daytime weekday schedule for those who want a traditional full-time school rhythm, or an evening schedule for those who need to work during the day. The program is structured and cohort-based, with published start dates across the year, which can reduce uncertainty for students planning relocation, childcare, or employment transitions. Like many hands-on technical programs, schedules and seats are typically managed based on available lab resources and cohort capacity, so students benefit from applying early and reserving a start date that aligns with their timeline.

    In terms of training, Spartan describes the AMT curriculum as a combination of classroom and hands-on lab work that mirrors what technicians do in the field: maintaining and repairing aircraft structures, systems, and powerplants using proper documentation, tooling, and safety practices. Students should expect exposure to core A&P domains such as aircraft inspection and maintenance documentation, electrical and avionics-adjacent fundamentals, sheet metal and structures, hydraulics and landing gear systems, reciprocating and turbine engine fundamentals, fuel and ignition systems, propellers, and troubleshooting methods. The program’s goal is not only to teach tasks, but to develop repeatable professional habits attention to detail, procedural discipline, and comfort working with technical data because those are the traits employers look for in entry-level technicians.

    Cost transparency is an important part of Spartan’s published materials for the Riverside campus. The school provides a total estimated program cost that bundles tuition and common program-related charges (for example, tool kit and materials-related fees), which helps students compare apples-to-apples versus programs that quote tuition only and leave the rest as extra. Students should still review exactly what is included and what might be separate (for example, optional fees, replacement materials, or retake testing costs), but having an official published cost framework is helpful in budgeting and financial aid planning.

    Overall, Spartan Riverside is positioned for students who want an A&P-aligned aviation maintenance program in the Inland Empire with both day and night schedule options, a defined program length, and a structured pathway to certification eligibility. Prospective students should confirm the most current start dates and scheduling availability, then evaluate whether the Riverside location and cohort format fit their timeline, budget, and learning preferences.

  • Thrust Institute of Maintenance | Conroe

    Thrust Institute of Maintenance | Conroe

    Thrust Institute of Maintenance is an FAA-certified aviation maintenance training program designed for students who want a fast, career-focused path to earning the Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate. The school’s flagship Aviation Maintenance Technician program is marketed as a 10-month track that takes a student from no experience to being prepared for the FAA written, oral, and practical exams (with the goal of becoming a certified A&P mechanic). The campus is located on Addison Airport in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, which is a convenient setting for hands-on aviation training in an active airport environment.

    Program structure and outcomes: The AMT program emphasizes practical maintenance skills alongside the knowledge needed for FAA testing. Thrust highlights small class sizes and close instructor support, and it positions the curriculum as career focused from day one. In addition to classroom learning, the program is built around hands-on labs and real-world maintenance topics so students can build confidence with tools, inspection techniques, and common aircraft systems. Thrust also notes that, when you finish training, the school helps connect graduates with a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) so you can take your certification exams something the school calls out as a differentiator compared to some competitors.

    Schedule options: One of the biggest differentiators on the published program page is scheduling flexibility. Thrust explicitly offers both a daytime schedule and night classes at the Addison location. Day classes run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and night classes are available Monday through Friday from 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM. That makes the program attractive to working adults, parents, and career changers who need an evening option while still receiving the same core instruction and lab experience.

    Cost and housing: Thrust publishes tuition for the 10-month program as $39,539, which it says includes tuition, books, lab fees, and application fees. The school also states that housing is available for students who need it, with housing priced at $10,200 for the full year. For financing, Thrust lists partnerships with Sallie Mae® and Stratus Financial Partners, positioning these as options to finance all or part of the program.

    Who this school fits best: Thrust is a strong match for students who want an accelerated, structured A&P pathway with clear schedules (day or evening), published program costs, and a campus located directly on a busy aviation airport in the DFW area. It’s especially relevant for motivated learners who can commit to a fast pace and want a school that emphasizes exam readiness and job-ready hands-on skills in a short timeframe.

  • Alabama Aviation College – Ozark

    Alabama Aviation College – Ozark

    As a campus of Enterprise State Community College, the Alabama Aviation College in Ozark is a cornerstone of aviation education in the Southeast, with a history of excellence in aircraft maintenance training. The Ozark campus provides a comprehensive, FAA-certified Part 147 program leading to both Associate of Applied Science degrees and professional certificates. Known for its extensive hangar facilities and diverse fleet of training aircraft, the college offers an immersive environment where students master the complexities of airframe structures and powerplant systems.

    The curriculum at Ozark is recognized for its depth and rigor, preparing students for the FAA’s written, oral, and practical exams for A&P certification. Students gain expertise in everything from traditional wood and fabric repair to modern turbine engine theory and digital avionics. The college’s long-standing reputation for producing highly skilled technicians makes its graduates prime candidates for roles in commercial airlines, corporate aviation, and military support. By focusing on both mechanical mastery and regulatory ethics, the Alabama Aviation College in Ozark continues to be a vital provider for the region’s massive aerospace and defense sectors.

  • Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Indianapolis

    Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Indianapolis

    The Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) in Indianapolis provides FAA-approved training for individuals seeking to become professional aircraft maintenance technicians. This Part 147 certified campus offers an intensive curriculum focused on Airframe and Powerplant certification, designed for those who wish to enter the aviation workforce quickly. AIM Indianapolis features a professional hangar and lab facility where students gain hands-on experience in the troubleshooting, inspection, and repair of aircraft systems, ensuring they meet the high standards of airworthiness mandated by the FAA.

    The training at Indianapolis covers the full range of General, Airframe, and Powerplant modules, with an emphasis on developing practical mechanical proficiency. Students work through modules that include reciprocating and turbine engine theory, wood and fabric structures, and modern aircraft electronics. The school’s instructional team is comprised of seasoned aviation professionals who bring real-world context to the technical curriculum. Graduates of AIM Indianapolis are prepared for careers in a variety of aviation sectors, including commercial airlines, cargo operators, and general aviation flight schools, supporting the aerospace industry across the Crossroads of America.