Aircraft Mechanic School: What to Know About A&P Certification
Aircraft mechanic school can help you prepare for FAA testing, but it does not automatically make you an A&P mechanic. Here is what the certification path actually requires.
Quick Answer
The credential many people call an A&P license is technically an FAA Aviation Mechanic certificate with Airframe and/or Powerplant ratings. The FAA uses the word certificate, not license, but job seekers, schools, and employers often say A&P license anyway.
You can qualify for FAA mechanic testing through an FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician School, through documented civilian on-the-job experience, or through qualifying military aviation maintenance experience. The best route depends on your background, budget, timeline, and how much structure you need.
Key point: Graduating from aircraft mechanic school does not automatically give you an A&P. A school can help you qualify for FAA testing, but you still need to meet eligibility requirements and pass the required written, oral, and practical exams.
In This Guide
- A&P License vs. FAA Mechanic Certificate
- How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic
- What FAA Part 147 Means
- Which Training Path Fits You?
- What Aircraft Mechanic School Covers
- FAA Written, Oral, and Practical Tests
- How Long It Takes and What It Can Cost
- Salary and Job Outlook
- How to Choose an Aviation Maintenance School
- FAQs
A&P License vs. FAA Mechanic Certificate
The phrase A&P license is useful because that is what many people search for. It is also slightly wrong. The FAA issues an Aviation Mechanic certificate, not a mechanic license.
That certificate can include an Airframe rating, a Powerplant rating, or both. Holding both ratings is what people usually mean when they say A&P mechanic.
Airframe vs. Powerplant Ratings
The Airframe rating relates to aircraft structures and related systems. That can include fuselage structures, wings, landing gear, flight controls, hydraulic systems, and related inspection or repair tasks.
The Powerplant rating relates to aircraft engines and propulsion systems. That can include reciprocating engines, turbine engines, ignition systems, lubrication, fuel systems, engine instruments, and related troubleshooting.
You can pursue one rating, but many career paths are stronger with both. The FAA describes seeking both ratings as an A&P Certificate.
How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic
For most students, the routes fall into three practical buckets: an FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician School, civilian on-the-job experience, or qualifying military aviation maintenance experience. The FAA frames the core eligibility routes as academic training through an AMTS or practical on-the-job experience, with military experience reviewed through documentation.
| Path | Best for | Main advantage | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician School | New students who want a structured route | Clear curriculum, lab/shop training, and completion documentation for FAA testing eligibility | Tuition, tools, testing fees, and program quality vary |
| Civilian on-the-job experience | People already working around aircraft maintenance | You may earn qualifying experience while working | Documentation burden is high, and self-study is on you |
| Military aviation maintenance experience | Veterans or service members with qualifying maintenance duties | Relevant hands-on experience may support FAA eligibility | Training time alone may not count, and duties must be documented |
Path 1: FAA-Certificated Aircraft Mechanic School
FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools, often called AMTS or Part 147 schools, are designed to train students in the knowledge and skills needed for aviation maintenance careers. The FAA says an AMTS is an educational facility certificated under 14 CFR Part 147.
That is the cleanest route for many beginners because it gives you a structured curriculum, shop/lab work, instructor support, and a clearer paper trail. It is also the route most people mean when they search for aircraft mechanic school, aviation mechanic school, A&P school, or aviation maintenance technician training.
The FAA says Aviation Maintenance Technician School coursework typically lasts 18 to 24 months and includes training with tools and equipment used on the job.
Path 2: Civilian On-the-Job Training
You do not necessarily need to attend aircraft mechanic school. The FAA allows applicants to qualify through documented practical experience.
For a single rating, Airframe or Powerplant, the FAA requires at least 18 months of practical experience. For both ratings together, it requires at least 30 months of practical experience working with the procedures, practices, materials, tools, and equipment used in aircraft construction, maintenance, or alteration.
The catch: you need good documentation. This route can make sense if you already have access to qualifying aviation maintenance work under appropriate supervision. But if you are starting from zero, finding the right experience can be harder than simply enrolling in a structured AMTS program.
Path 3: Military Aviation Maintenance Experience
Military aviation maintenance experience may also help you qualify, but it is not automatic. You need documentation showing that your duties match the FAA requirements for the rating you want.
One big caveat: time spent in military training for the occupation is not credited toward the 18- or 30-month practical experience requirement. Turning wrenches can count. Sitting in a classroom generally does not. The FAA is very much the fun police here, but honestly, fair enough. Aircraft are not lawn chairs.
Compare Aircraft Mechanic Schools
If you want the structured school route, compare aviation maintenance programs that can explain how their training supports FAA mechanic certificate eligibility.
You can start with aircraft mechanic schools and aviation maintenance training programs here.
What Is an FAA Part 147 School?
Part 147 is the section of federal regulations that governs Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools. An FAA-certificated AMTS is not just a school that teaches aviation-related material. It is a school certificated under FAA rules for aviation maintenance technician training.
That matters because AMTS completion documentation can help show eligibility to take the FAA mechanic tests, assuming the applicant meets the other requirements. But it still does not mean the graduate is automatically certificated.
FAA-Certificated vs. Accredited
Aviation students can run into two different ideas:
- FAA certification means the aviation maintenance program is certificated under Part 147 for AMTS training.
- Institutional accreditation relates to broader school quality, academic oversight, and financial-aid eligibility.
Both can matter, but they are not the same thing. A school can be institutionally accredited without necessarily offering an FAA-certificated AMTS program. Before enrolling, verify that the exact program you are considering is tied to an FAA-certificated AMTS pathway if your goal is A&P eligibility.
The Passage-Rate Question Students Should Ask
One useful quality question is the school’s FAA test passage performance. Under 14 CFR §147.25, each certificated aviation maintenance technician school must maintain a required minimum passage rate. For students who take an FAA mechanic test within 60 days after graduation, at least 70 percent must pass a written, oral, practical, or combined test.
Ask the school: What is your recent FAA mechanic test passage rate for graduates who test soon after completing the program? That is better than “Are you a good school?” because it gives the admissions team less room to serve you a warm bowl of brochure soup.
Which Aircraft Mechanic Training Path Fits You?
| Your situation | Path to compare first |
|---|---|
| You are new to aviation maintenance and want structure | FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician School |
| You already work around aircraft maintenance | Civilian on-the-job experience pathway |
| You have military aviation maintenance experience | Military experience evaluation through FAA documentation |
| You want future leadership or management options | A&P pathway plus associate or bachelor’s degree consideration |
| You want online-only training | Be careful. Verify hands-on/lab requirements and FAA testing support before enrolling. |
What Aircraft Mechanic School Covers
Aircraft mechanic school is usually built around three broad areas: general subjects, airframe systems, and powerplant systems.
- General subjects may include basic electricity, maintenance documentation, regulations, aircraft drawings, weight and balance, materials, tools, safety, and inspection principles.
- Airframe training may include aircraft structures, sheet metal, composite materials, hydraulics, pneumatics, landing gear, flight controls, cabin atmosphere systems, and related inspection practices.
- Powerplant training may include reciprocating engines, turbine engines, fuel systems, lubrication, ignition, engine instruments, fire protection, and engine inspection.
Aircraft trade schools are also placing more emphasis on technologies used in newer airplanes, including turbine engines, composite materials, and aviation electronics.
The FAA Tests: Written, Oral, and Practical
To become an FAA-certificated mechanic, you need to pass FAA testing. The FAA describes certification as being demonstrated through successful completion of written, oral, and practical tests.
If you are pursuing both Airframe and Powerplant ratings, expect separate knowledge areas and a serious testing process. The FAA’s mechanic testing resources include knowledge test centers, testing standards, and resources for oral, practical, and written tests.
Do not miss this: School completion is not the finish line. It is the runway. You still have to take off without eating pavement.
How Long Aircraft Mechanic Training Takes
Aircraft mechanic school commonly takes 18 to 24 months, according to FAA career guidance for aviation maintenance technician schools.
The OJT route has a different timeline. FAA experience rules require at least 18 months of practical experience for one rating or 30 months for both Airframe and Powerplant ratings.
So the fastest route is not always the same as the cheapest route. School may cost more upfront but provide structure and test eligibility documentation. OJT may reduce tuition costs but require more time, stronger documentation, and more self-study.
How Much Aircraft Mechanic School Costs
Aircraft mechanic school costs vary widely based on institution type, program length, location, included tools, lab fees, books, supplies, testing support, and whether the program leads to a certificate, diploma, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree.
Before comparing programs, ask each school for the full estimated out-of-pocket cost, not just tuition. Include:
- Tuition
- Registration and student fees
- Tools and toolboxes
- Books and digital materials
- Uniforms or safety gear
- Lab or shop fees
- FAA written test fees
- Oral and practical exam fees
- Retake fees
- Transportation and housing if relocation is involved
Also ask whether the school helps schedule Designated Mechanic Examiner testing, whether exam prep is included, and which costs are not included in tuition. Hidden testing costs are where the little invoice gremlins live.
Certificate, Diploma, Associate Degree, or Bachelor’s Degree?
Aircraft mechanic training can come in several credential formats. The right choice depends on whether your goal is the fastest focused route toward A&P testing, broader college credit, or long-term movement into supervision, quality assurance, aviation operations, or management.
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate or diploma | Students who want focused aviation maintenance training without extra general education coursework | May offer fewer transferable college credits |
| Associate degree | Students who want A&P-focused training plus broader college coursework | Usually takes longer and may cost more than a non-degree program |
| Bachelor’s degree | People aiming for long-term aviation management, maintenance leadership, safety, or operations roles | Usually not necessary for entry-level hands-on aircraft mechanic work |
The key credential for many hands-on civil aircraft mechanic roles is the FAA mechanic certificate with the appropriate rating or ratings. A degree may help in some hiring, promotion, transfer-credit, or management situations, but it does not replace FAA certification.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary and Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a May 2024 median annual wage of $78,680 for aircraft mechanics and service technicians. For avionics technicians, the median annual wage was $81,390.
BLS projects overall employment of aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, with about 13,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Actual pay can vary by employer, region, shift, overtime, union status, experience, and whether you work for an airline, repair station, manufacturer, general aviation employer, or government-related operation.
| Occupation | 2024 median annual wage | 2024-2034 outlook | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | $78,680 | BLS reports 5% growth for the combined aircraft and avionics group | Focus on engines, assemblies, mechanical systems, structures, and related maintenance |
| Avionics technicians | $81,390 | BLS reports 5% growth for the combined aircraft and avionics group | Focus on aircraft electronic systems, communications, navigation, radar, and instruments |
Who Aircraft Mechanic School Is Best For
- You want structured training instead of trying to piece together OJT hours.
- You are new to aviation maintenance.
- You want hands-on shop and lab experience.
- You want school completion documentation for FAA testing eligibility.
- You like mechanical systems, troubleshooting, and documentation.
- You can handle safety-sensitive work where “good enough” is not good enough.
Who Should Think Twice
- You want a fully online program.
- You hate documentation and checklists.
- You need a predictable 9-to-5 schedule right away.
- You cannot tolerate physical work, noise, tight spaces, or outdoor conditions.
- You want a credential that is automatic after graduation.
- You are not ready for FAA testing after school or experience.
None of that means do not do it. It means walk in with your eyes open, which is generally better than finding out after tuition has already sucker-punched your bank account.
How to Choose an Aviation Maintenance School
Before enrolling, ask direct questions. Do not settle for glossy brochures and hangar photos.
1. Is this program FAA-certificated under Part 147?
Ask whether the exact program you are considering is connected to an FAA-certificated AMTS. Do not assume every aviation-related program qualifies.
2. Which ratings does the program prepare students for?
Confirm whether the program prepares students for Airframe, Powerplant, or both.
3. What is your recent FAA test passage rate?
Ask how recent graduates perform on FAA mechanic tests, especially those who test soon after completing the program.
4. What costs are not included in tuition?
Ask about tools, books, lab fees, uniforms, FAA written tests, oral and practical exams, retakes, and DME fees.
5. How much hands-on training is included?
Aviation maintenance is not learned by vibes. Ask about lab time, equipment, engines, aircraft components, inspection practice, and troubleshooting.
6. How does the school support FAA testing?
Ask whether test prep is included, when students usually test, how DME scheduling works, and whether graduates commonly complete testing soon after finishing.
7. Where do graduates work?
Ask about airlines, MRO facilities, repair stations, manufacturers, general aviation employers, and regional aviation employers. Ask for actual examples, not “our graduates can work anywhere,” which is marketing soup.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Thinking school graduation equals A&P certification: It does not. School can help you qualify to test. You still need to pass FAA testing.
- Using license and certificate as if they are identical: People say A&P license, but the FAA issues a mechanic certificate with ratings.
- Ignoring Part 147 status: If your goal is the A&P pathway, verify FAA-certificated AMTS status for the program.
- Comparing only tuition: A cheaper program may not be cheaper once tools, testing, housing, transportation, and retakes are included.
- Assuming online-only training is enough: Some theory or academic coursework may be available online, but aviation maintenance certification still requires hands-on competence and practical testing.
FAQs About Aircraft Mechanic School and A&P Certification
What is an A&P license?
An A&P license is the common term for an FAA Aviation Mechanic Certificate with both Airframe and Powerplant ratings. The FAA technically uses certificate, not license.
How long is aircraft mechanic school?
The FAA says Aviation Maintenance Technician School coursework typically lasts 18 to 24 months.
Can you become an aircraft mechanic without school?
Yes. The FAA allows applicants to qualify through practical experience. You generally need 18 months for one rating or 30 months for both Airframe and Powerplant ratings.
Does military aviation maintenance experience count?
It can, but you need proper documentation showing qualifying practical experience. FAA advisory material says time spent in military training for the occupation is not credited toward the 18- or 30-month practical experience requirement.
Does aircraft mechanic school automatically give you an A&P?
No. A Part 147 AMTS completion document may help show eligibility to test when other requirements are met, but you still need to pass FAA testing.
Is online aircraft mechanic school possible?
Some lecture or theory components may be available online through some programs, but an A&P pathway is not simply an online class. FAA certification involves practical skills and oral/practical testing.
Is aircraft mechanic school worth it?
It can be worth it if you want a structured route into aviation maintenance and you verify the program’s FAA Part 147 status, costs, hands-on training, test support, and graduate outcomes.
Do aircraft mechanics need a degree?
Not always. Some workers enter with an associate degree, while others train on the job or in the military. The critical credential for many hands-on civil aircraft mechanic roles is FAA mechanic certification with the appropriate rating or ratings.
Sources
Sources were checked June 3, 2026.
- Federal Aviation Administration: Become an Aviation Mechanic
- Federal Aviation Administration: Aircraft Mechanic Oral, Practical, & Written Tests
- Federal Aviation Administration: Experience Requirements to Become an Aircraft Mechanic
- Federal Aviation Administration: Aircraft Maintenance Technician Schools
- Federal Aviation Administration: How to Become an Aviation Maintenance or Avionics Technician
- Federal Aviation Administration: Mechanic Testing
- Federal Aviation Administration: Advisory Circular 65-30B, Change 1
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: 14 CFR Part 147
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: 14 CFR §147.25 Minimum Passage Rate
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians
- O*NET OnLine: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
- O*NET OnLine: Avionics Technicians
Explore Aircraft Mechanic Training Options
If the FAA school route sounds like the better fit, compare aircraft mechanic schools and aviation maintenance training programs that can explain their FAA certification pathway, hands-on training, and testing support.