Aircraft Mechanic Schools and A&P Training
Aircraft mechanic schools teach students how to inspect, repair, troubleshoot, and maintain airplanes, helicopters, and related aircraft systems. Many aviation maintenance technician programs are designed to prepare students for FAA mechanic certification with Airframe and Powerplant ratings, commonly called an A&P certificate.
That training can lead to work with airlines, repair stations, cargo carriers, aircraft manufacturers, fixed-base operators, business aviation companies, helicopter operators, and other aviation employers. It can be a strong path if you like hands-on technical work, detailed procedures, mechanical problem-solving, and the idea that “close enough” is not a thing when metal tubes full of people are leaving the ground.
Use this guide to compare aircraft mechanic school options, understand FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools, learn what A&P certification involves, and decide what to ask schools before you enroll.
Aircraft mechanic training: Quick facts
| Common job titles | Aircraft mechanic, aviation maintenance technician, aircraft maintenance technician, A&P mechanic, aircraft service technician, airframe mechanic, powerplant mechanic |
|---|---|
| Typical training path | FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School, military aviation maintenance experience, or documented practical experience |
| FAA-approved school option | Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools certified under 14 CFR Part 147 |
| A&P meaning | Airframe and Powerplant. Airframe covers aircraft structures and many non-engine systems. Powerplant covers engines and related systems. |
| Program length | Many school-based programs take about 18 to 24 months; associate degree options often take around two years. Timelines vary by school and schedule. |
| Typical credential | Certificate, diploma, or associate degree, depending on the school and program |
| Certification/testing | FAA mechanic applicants must meet eligibility requirements and pass knowledge, oral, and practical tests for the rating sought. |
| Work settings | Airlines, MROs, repair stations, manufacturers, cargo carriers, general aviation, business aviation, helicopter operators, and government/defense employers |
| Median pay | Aircraft mechanics and service technicians: $79,870; avionics technicians: $82,280, based on May 2025 national BLS OEWS data |
| Job outlook | BLS projects 5% employment growth for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians from 2024 to 2034, with about 13,100 openings per year. |
| Best fit for | People who like mechanical systems, technical manuals, hands-on work, precision, troubleshooting, and safety-critical responsibility |
Aircraft Mechanic Schools
Sponsored Listings
National Aviation Academy
- Tampa Bay, Florida
- Concord, Massachusetts
- Advanced Aircraft Systems
- Aviation Maintenance Professional
- Aviation Maintenance Technician
Aviation Institute of Maintenance
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Fremont, California
- Orlando, Florida
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Chicago, Illinois
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Dallas, Texas
- Houston, Texas
- Manassas, Virginia
- Norfolk, Virginia
- Aviation Maintenance Technical Engineer
- Aviation Maintenance Technician
- Aviation Maintenance Technology
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
- Los Angeles, California
- Riverside, California
- Denver, Colorado
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Aviation Maintenance Technology
Universal Technical Institute
- Avondale, Arizona
- Long Beach, California
- Miramar, Florida
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Dallas, Texas
- Houston, Texas
- Airframe and Powerplant Technician
- Aviation Maintenance
- Aviation Maintenance Technology
What is an aircraft mechanic?
An aircraft mechanic inspects, maintains, and repairs aircraft and aircraft systems. You will also see the job described as aircraft maintenance technician, aviation maintenance technician, or aircraft service technician.
The terms overlap, but they are not always identical:
| Term | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanic / aircraft maintenance technician | A broad term for people who maintain, inspect, troubleshoot, and repair aircraft and aircraft systems. |
| A&P mechanic | A mechanic who holds both FAA Airframe and Powerplant ratings. This is one of the most versatile credentials in aviation maintenance. |
| Avionics technician | A technician focused on aircraft electronics, instruments, navigation, communication, radar, and control systems. Some avionics employers prefer or recommend an Airframe rating. |
| Repairman | An FAA certificate tied to specific duties, employer recommendations, and certificate limitations. It is not the same as a portable A&P certificate. |
| Inspection Authorization mechanic | An experienced certificated mechanic with extra FAA authorization to perform certain inspections and approvals. This is usually an advancement step, not an entry-level credential. |
The big idea: A&P certification is the main portable FAA mechanic credential most students are asking about when they search for aircraft mechanic school.
What does an aircraft mechanic do?
Aircraft mechanics keep aircraft safe, reliable, and airworthy. Depending on the employer and the mechanic's ratings, duties can include:
- Inspecting aircraft systems, structures, and components
- Diagnosing mechanical and electrical problems
- Repairing wings, brakes, landing gear, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, fuel systems, and electrical systems
- Maintaining and repairing reciprocating engines, turbine engines, propellers, and related powerplant systems
- Reading maintenance manuals, service bulletins, wiring diagrams, and technical documents
- Testing parts and systems with gauges, meters, and other equipment
- Replacing worn, damaged, or defective parts
- Performing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance
- Checking for corrosion, cracks, wear, leaks, and structural damage
- Keeping detailed maintenance records
- Following FAA regulations, manufacturer instructions, and safety procedures
- Helping determine whether aircraft are ready to return to service when qualified to do so
It is hands-on work, but it is not casual wrenching. Aircraft maintenance is documentation-heavy, procedure-driven, and safety-critical. If skipping steps is your personal religion, aviation will try to exorcise that demon fast.
Aircraft mechanic school options
There is more than one way to qualify for FAA mechanic certification. The right path depends on your background, schedule, budget, and whether you want a school-based route or an experience-based route.
FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools
An FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School, or AMTS, is certified under 14 CFR Part 147. These schools are authorized to provide curriculum for Airframe, Powerplant, or both ratings.
Graduating from the right FAA-approved AMTS curriculum can help you show eligibility to test for the applicable FAA mechanic certificate rating. That does not mean a school hands you an A&P certificate at graduation. It means the school documentation can support FAA testing eligibility when the other requirements are met. That is why FAA approval matters: A nice-looking “aviation maintenance course” is not automatically the same thing as a Part 147 aircraft mechanic school.
Before enrolling, ask whether the program is FAA-approved under Part 147 and whether it prepares students for Airframe, Powerplant, or both.
Certificate and diploma programs
Certificate and diploma programs are common for students who want focused aviation maintenance training without a broader general education package. These programs may be a good fit if your main goal is to prepare for FAA mechanic testing and enter the aviation maintenance workforce.
Verify the exact credential, total program hours, FAA approval status, included lab work, testing support, tool costs, and whether the program prepares you for one rating or both.
Associate degree programs
Some aviation maintenance programs lead to an associate degree. These can take around two years and may include general education courses along with technical aviation maintenance training. Learn more about what an associate degree means if you are comparing credential types.
An associate degree may be useful if you want broader academic credit, possible transfer options, or future advancement into supervision, maintenance management, technical training, or related aviation roles. But do not assume a degree is automatically better than a certificate. For A&P-focused jobs, the critical question is whether the program supports FAA mechanic certificate eligibility and hands-on competency.
Military aviation maintenance experience
Military aviation maintenance can be another route into aircraft maintenance work. Some military personnel may qualify by completing the Joint Service Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council training course or through documented experience that meets FAA requirements.
If you are using military experience, verify documentation requirements with the FAA, not just with a school or employer. Paperwork matters. Aviation bureaucracy is not known for saying, “Eh, close enough, champ.”
Practical experience route
You can become eligible without attending an FAA-approved school if you document enough relevant practical experience. Generally, the experience route requires 18 months of practical experience for one rating or 30 months of concurrent experience for both Airframe and Powerplant ratings.
This path can work for people already employed around aircraft maintenance, but it is not always the simplest route for beginners. You need the right kind of documented, hands-on maintenance experience, and you still need to pass the FAA knowledge, oral, and practical tests. The FAA also says time spent in training does not count toward the practical-experience time requirement, so do not treat classroom hours as a substitute for qualifying experience.
Avionics and electronics training
Avionics training focuses on aircraft electronics, communication, navigation, radar, instruments, wiring, and control systems. Some aviation maintenance schools include avionics fundamentals, while others offer dedicated avionics or electronics training programs.
Avionics technicians are not always on the same certification path as A&P mechanics. Some employers may value an Airframe rating, FAA repairman eligibility, FCC credentials, AEA Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician credentials, or ASTM NCATT AET certification, depending on the work setting. The avionics credential space has been changing, so treat these as employer- and role-specific credentials, not as a one-size-fits-all license.
How long is aircraft mechanic school?
Many school-based aircraft mechanic programs take about 18 to 24 months, but timelines vary. Associate degree programs often take around two years. Some schools offer accelerated, full-time formats, while others may have schedules built around working adults.
If you qualify through practical experience instead of school, the FAA experience route generally requires:
| Path | General FAA experience requirement |
|---|---|
| Airframe only | 18 months of practical experience related to the rating sought |
| Powerplant only | 18 months of practical experience related to the rating sought |
| Airframe and Powerplant | 30 months of concurrent practical experience performing duties appropriate to both ratings |
Program length can also depend on full-time vs. part-time enrollment, transfer credits, make-up lab time, whether you are pursuing one or both ratings, and how quickly you schedule FAA testing after training.
Airframe vs. Powerplant vs. A&P
The FAA mechanic certificate has two ratings: Airframe and Powerplant. Holding both is commonly called having an A&P certificate.
| Rating | Focus | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Airframe | Aircraft structures and many non-engine systems, such as fuselage, wings, landing gear, hydraulics, electrical systems, and flight controls | Valuable for structural, systems, and many avionics-adjacent maintenance roles |
| Powerplant | Engines, propellers, fuel systems, turbine and reciprocating engine systems, and related components | Important for engine-focused maintenance and repair work |
| A&P | Both Airframe and Powerplant ratings | Often the most flexible path and commonly preferred or required by aviation maintenance employers |
Many students pursue both ratings because an A&P certificate gives broader employment flexibility. Some jobs may focus mostly on airframes, engines, avionics, interiors, or inspections, but employers often like the versatility of a mechanic who can legally work across more systems.
FAA certification requirements
Important wording: Aircraft mechanics are certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration. This is an FAA certificate, not a state license.
To qualify for an FAA mechanic certificate and ratings, applicants generally must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
- Meet the applicable training or experience requirement.
- Pass the required FAA knowledge tests.
- Pass oral and practical tests for the rating sought.
The main eligibility routes include:
- Graduating from an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School
- Documenting practical experience, generally 18 months for one rating or 30 months for both ratings
- Qualifying through certain military aviation maintenance pathways
FAA testing includes knowledge, oral, and practical exams. For A&P candidates, there are multiple knowledge tests, including General plus the applicable Airframe and/or Powerplant tests. FAA oral and practical exams are administered by a Designated Mechanic Examiner, and the practical side is where hands-on competence matters. This is not trivia night with wrenches.
Publishing note worth keeping visible: FAA rules and testing standards can change. Before enrolling, verify current FAA requirements directly with the FAA or the school’s FAA documentation.
What classes do aircraft mechanic programs include?
Aircraft mechanic programs vary, but A&P-focused training commonly covers subjects such as:
- Aviation regulations
- Maintenance documentation and recordkeeping
- Shop safety and maintenance practices
- Basic electricity and electronics
- Hydraulic and pneumatic systems
- Aircraft structures
- Sheet metal and composites
- Welding, materials, and corrosion control
- Reciprocating engines
- Turbine engines
- Propellers
- Fuel systems
- Landing gear
- Brakes and flight controls
- Communication and navigation systems
- Weight and balance
- Inspection procedures
- Troubleshooting methods
- Technical manuals, diagrams, and service bulletins
The best programs give you more than test prep. Look for meaningful lab time, modern equipment, real aircraft or components, instructor access, and support for the FAA testing process.
Aircraft mechanic vs. avionics technician
Aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians both help keep aircraft operating safely, but their focus is different.
| Career path | Main focus | Training/certification notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanic / A&P mechanic | Mechanical, structural, engine, hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel, landing gear, flight control, and related systems | FAA mechanic certificate with Airframe and/or Powerplant ratings is central for many roles. |
| Avionics technician | Electronics, instruments, communication, navigation, radar, wiring, control systems, and related test equipment | Requirements vary by employer. Some roles value an Airframe rating, FAA repairman path, FCC credentials, AEA CAET credentials, ASTM NCATT AET, or a combination of training and documented experience. |
If you like engines, structures, systems, and mechanical troubleshooting, aircraft mechanic training may fit better. If you are more drawn to circuits, wiring diagrams, radios, sensors, navigation systems, and test equipment, avionics may be the better rabbit hole.
But the paths can overlap. Modern aircraft are packed with electronics, and many aviation maintenance programs include electrical and avionics fundamentals. Likewise, avionics employers may value technicians who understand the airframe environment their systems live inside. The current safe wording is this: avionics credentials can strengthen a resume, but the credential that matters most depends on the employer, aircraft category, repair-station environment, and exact work being performed.
Aircraft mechanic salary and job outlook
The BLS May 2025 national OEWS data lists a median annual wage of $79,870 for aircraft mechanics and service technicians and $82,280 for avionics technicians. BLS wage data is a national snapshot, not a guarantee. Pay varies by employer, industry, region, shift, overtime, union status, credentials, security requirements, and experience.
| Occupation | Median annual wage | Median hourly wage | 10th percentile | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | $79,870 | $38.40 | $48,780 | $128,890 |
| Avionics technicians | $82,280 | $39.56 | $49,410 | $113,680 |
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects 5% growth for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians from 2024 to 2034. BLS also projects about 13,100 openings per year on average for the combined category over that decade.
Those numbers are useful, but they are not a personal salary promise. Entry-level wages can be lower. Some higher-paying aviation jobs may involve night shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime, union rules, airport security badging, drug and alcohol testing programs, or relocation to major aviation markets.
Where aircraft mechanics work
Aircraft mechanics and aviation maintenance technicians may work for:
- Airlines
- Maintenance, repair, and overhaul organizations, also called MROs
- FAA-certificated repair stations
- Aircraft manufacturers
- Aerospace product and parts manufacturers
- Cargo and courier companies
- Fixed-base operators
- General aviation companies
- Business aviation departments
- Helicopter operators
- Federal government employers
- Defense contractors
- Aviation maintenance schools
- Space and aerospace companies where aircraft-style maintenance skills transfer
The work environment can vary a lot. An airline hangar, a general aviation shop, a manufacturing facility, a cargo operation, and a helicopter maintenance role can all feel different day to day.
Is becoming an aircraft mechanic worth it?
Aircraft mechanic training can be worth it if you want a hands-on technical career with clear federal certification milestones, aviation-industry pay potential, and work that directly affects safety. It can be especially appealing if you like machines, systems, manuals, diagnostics, and the satisfaction of making complicated equipment work correctly.
It may not be ideal if you dislike strict procedures, noisy shops, physical work, documentation, night or weekend shifts, or the pressure that comes with safety-critical maintenance.
| Good fit if you... | Think twice if you... |
|---|---|
| Like mechanical and electrical troubleshooting | Hate detailed procedures and paperwork |
| Want hands-on technical work | Want a quiet desk job with predictable 9-to-5 hours |
| Can follow manuals and safety rules exactly | Get bored by documentation or repetitive inspections |
| Are comfortable with tools, ladders, tight spaces, and shop environments | Have trouble with physical work, noise, solvents, or shift schedules |
| Want a credentialed trade connected to transportation, aerospace, and aviation | Want fully online training with no labs or practical testing |
Aviation maintenance is not a “watch three videos and become a sky wizard” career. The training is serious because the work is serious. That is also what gives the path its value.
How to choose an aircraft mechanic school
Use this checklist before requesting information or enrolling:
- Is the school an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School under Part 147?
- Does the program prepare students for Airframe, Powerplant, or both ratings?
- Does completion support eligibility to take the relevant FAA mechanic tests?
- How long is the program, and is the schedule full-time, part-time, evening, or weekend?
- What credential is awarded: certificate, diploma, or associate degree?
- What is the total cost, including tuition, fees, tools, books, exams, uniforms, and supplies?
- Is financial aid available for eligible students?
- What hands-on labs, aircraft, engines, components, and test equipment will you train on?
- Are instructors FAA-certificated mechanics or otherwise experienced in aviation maintenance?
- Does the program provide FAA test prep or help connect students with testing resources?
- Are there local employer partnerships, repair station connections, or career services?
- What are the school’s completion, placement, and credentialing outcomes, if available?
- Are background checks, drug testing, FAA drug and alcohol testing rules, security badges, or airport access requirements part of training or employment?
- Is the school located near aviation employers, airports, repair stations, or aerospace manufacturers?
- Can credits transfer if you later pursue a higher credential?
The shortest program is not automatically the best one. The cheapest program is not automatically the best value. Look for the program that gets you eligible, competent, employable, and realistic about the work.
Questions to ask aircraft mechanic schools
- Is this program FAA-approved under 14 CFR Part 147?
- Does it prepare students for Airframe, Powerplant, or both ratings?
- What FAA exams will I be eligible to take after completing the program?
- What percentage of graduates complete the program and pursue FAA testing?
- What is the total program cost, including tools, materials, fees, and exam costs?
- What tools do students need to buy?
- What aircraft, engines, systems, and components will I train on?
- How much hands-on lab time is included?
- Are evening, weekend, or part-time schedules available?
- Do local aviation employers recruit from this program?
- What career services are available before and after graduation?
- Are there background check, drug testing, transportation, security badge, or airport access requirements I should know about?
- If I am using military experience or transfer credits, how will those be evaluated?
- How recently has the curriculum been reviewed against current FAA standards?
Find aircraft mechanic schools near you
Aviation maintenance training is a serious commitment, so use school search as a way to compare options, not as a blind leap into the first shiny form with a propeller on it.
Look for aircraft mechanic schools, aviation maintenance technician programs, A&P training programs, or FAA-approved aircraft mechanic schools in your area. Compare FAA approval status, ratings offered, program length, cost, hands-on training, testing support, and employer connections.
Aircraft mechanic school FAQ
What is an aircraft mechanic?
An aircraft mechanic inspects, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs aircraft and aircraft systems. The job may involve engines, structures, landing gear, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, brakes, fuel systems, flight controls, and maintenance documentation.
What is an A&P mechanic?
An A&P mechanic is an FAA-certificated mechanic who holds both Airframe and Powerplant ratings. “A&P” is a common shorthand for those two ratings together.
What does A&P stand for?
A&P stands for Airframe and Powerplant. Airframe generally relates to aircraft structures and many non-engine systems. Powerplant relates to aircraft engines, propellers, and related systems.
Do aircraft mechanics need FAA certification?
Many aircraft maintenance roles require or strongly prefer FAA mechanic certification, especially roles involving work on U.S.-registered civil aircraft. Some related roles, such as certain repairman or avionics positions, may follow different requirements. Check the employer, aircraft type, and job duties.
How long does aircraft mechanic school take?
Many aircraft mechanic school programs take about 18 to 24 months. Associate degree programs often take around two years. Timelines vary by school, schedule, curriculum, transfer credits, and whether you pursue one or both FAA ratings.
Can you become an aircraft mechanic without school?
Yes, some applicants qualify through documented practical experience instead of graduating from an FAA-approved AMTS. The experience route generally requires 18 months for one rating or 30 months of concurrent experience for both Airframe and Powerplant ratings. Applicants still need to pass FAA tests.
What is an FAA-approved AMTS?
An FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School is a school certified under 14 CFR Part 147 to train students for aviation maintenance careers. A Part 147 school can be authorized for Airframe, Powerplant, or A&P curriculum.
Is aircraft mechanic school hard?
It can be challenging because it combines technical reading, hands-on lab work, mechanical systems, electrical concepts, safety procedures, inspections, and test preparation. It is manageable for students who stay organized, ask questions, practice consistently, and take documentation seriously.
How much do aircraft mechanics make?
BLS May 2025 national OEWS data lists a median annual wage of $79,870 for aircraft mechanics and service technicians. Pay can be lower for entry-level roles and higher for experienced mechanics, certain industries, overtime-heavy jobs, union environments, major aviation markets, and specialized positions.
What is the difference between an aircraft mechanic and an avionics technician?
Aircraft mechanics usually focus on mechanical, structural, engine, hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel, landing gear, and related systems. Avionics technicians focus on aircraft electronics, instruments, communication, navigation, radar, wiring, and control systems. The paths overlap, but the training and employer expectations can differ.
Can aircraft mechanics work on helicopters?
Yes, aircraft mechanics may work on helicopters if they have the appropriate training, experience, ratings, and employer authorization for the work being performed. Rotorcraft maintenance can involve specialized systems and employer-specific training.
Is aircraft maintenance a good career?
It can be a good career for mechanically minded people who want hands-on work, technical responsibility, and aviation-industry opportunities. It may not be the right fit for people who dislike physical work, strict procedures, shift schedules, noisy environments, or high safety accountability.
Are aircraft mechanic programs available online?
Some theory or academic coursework may be available online or in a hybrid format, depending on the school. But aircraft mechanic training generally requires hands-on labs, practical skill development, and FAA-related testing. Be cautious of any program that implies you can become a fully qualified A&P mechanic through online-only study.
Sources
- Federal Aviation Administration, Become an Aviation Mechanic, reviewed June 22, 2026.
- Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Mechanic Oral, Practical, & Written Tests, reviewed June 22, 2026.
- Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Maintenance Technician Schools, reviewed June 22, 2026.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 14 CFR Part 147, Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools, reviewed June 22, 2026.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart D, Mechanics, reviewed June 22, 2026.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 14 CFR Part 120, Drug and Alcohol Testing Program, reviewed June 22, 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians, reviewed June 22, 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Tables, May 2025 national data files, reviewed June 22, 2026.
- O*NET OnLine, Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians, reviewed June 22, 2026.
- O*NET OnLine, Avionics Technicians, reviewed June 22, 2026.
- ASTM, Certification for Aerospace Technicians with ASTM and NCATT, reviewed June 22, 2026.
- Aircraft Electronics Association, Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician, reviewed June 22, 2026.