FAA Approved A&P Schools: Start Your High-Paying Aviation Career

Landing a successful career in aviation doesn’t always mean being in the cockpit. For every pilot, there is a dedicated team of professionals on the ground ensuring the aircraft is safe, airworthy, and ready for flight. At the heart of this team is the Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT), holding the coveted Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate. Your journey to this rewarding career begins at one of the many FAA approved A&P schools.

This guide is your comprehensive resource for understanding what these schools offer, why the “FAA approved” designation is critical, and how this educational path launches you into a high-demand, high-skill profession. If you have a passion for aviation and a talent for technology, a future as an A&P mechanic is within your reach.

What is an A&P Certificate?

Before we explore the schools, let’s define the goal. The A&P certificate is a license granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It is divided into two parts:

1. Airframe (A): This certification covers the “body” of an aircraft. This includes the wings, fuselage, landing gear, control surfaces, and all associated systems such as hydraulics, pneumatics, and cabin pressurization.
2. Powerplant (P): This certification covers the engines. This includes reciprocating (piston) engines, turbine (jet) engines, propellers, and all related systems such as fuel, ignition, and exhaust.

Holding both certifications makes you a fully licensed A&P mechanic, authorized to inspect, repair, and maintain the vast majority of aircraft. You are the professional who signs the logbook, declaring the aircraft safe for flight. It’s a role of immense responsibility and a cornerstone of the entire aviation industry.

Why Choose FAA Approved Schools?

You may wonder why the distinction of “FAA approved” is so important. The short answer is that it is the most direct, structured, and reliable path to your A&P license.

These schools, formally known as Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools (AMTS), are certified by the FAA under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 147. This certification is not just a stamp of approval; it is a guarantee of quality.

The Part 147 Guarantee

A Part 147 school must adhere to a strict, FAA-approved curriculum. This means:

• Standardized Training: Every student learns the same required subjects, ensuring a consistent knowledge base. The curriculum is designed to cover all topics that will be on your certification exams.
• Qualified Instructors: Teachers at Part 147 schools must meet specific FAA requirements for experience and knowledge.
• Proper Facilities: The school must have the appropriate tools, equipment, and aircraft (both airworthy and non-airworthy “trainers”) for hands-on instruction.
• Direct Path to Testing: Upon graduation from an FAA approved A&P school, you are automatically eligible to take the FAA certification exams.

The Alternative: Experience

The only other way to become eligible for the A&P exams is through documented practical experience. This requires working full-time (for at least 18 months for one rating or 30 months for both) in an aviation maintenance facility, performing the tasks of an A&P mechanic under supervision.

While this path is possible, it is far more challenging. The work experience may not cover all the topics on the test, the documentation is difficult to manage, and you are responsible for studying all the theoretical knowledge on your own.

Attending an FAA approved A&P school condenses this experience into a focused program (typically 18-24 months) and ensures you are fully prepared for the exams and your career.

The Path to Your A&P License

The journey from student to certified mechanic follows a clear-cut path when you attend a Part 147 school.

1. Enrollment: You find and enroll in an FAA approved program. These can be part of community colleges (offering an Associate’s degree), universities, or standalone technical schools (offering a certificate).
2. The Curriculum: You must complete a minimum of 1,900 class-hours. This is broken into three phases:
   • General: The foundation of your knowledge. This section (around 400 hours) covers topics like basic electricity, technical drawings, shop mathematics, materials and processes, and federal regulations.
   • Airframe: This section (around 750 hours) covers everything on the airframe, from sheet metal and composite repair to landing gear systems, hydraulics, and environmental controls.
   • Powerplant: This section (around 750 hours) covers all engine types, fuel systems, ignition, propellers, and engine maintenance procedures.
3. Graduation: Upon successfully completing all three curriculum sections, the school issues you a certificate of completion.
4. The FAA Exams: With your graduation certificate, you are now eligible to take the A&P exams. This is a three-part test:
   • Written: You will take three separate computer-based, multiple-choice exams: General, Airframe, and Powerplant.
   • Oral & Practical (O&P): This is the final, hands-on exam, administered by an FAA-designated Mechanic Examiner (DME). The examiner will ask you verbal questions (Oral) and require you to perform a series of maintenance tasks (Practical) to prove your competency.

Once you pass all three written tests and the O&P exam, you are officially an A&P mechanic.

Finding the Right FAA Approved A&P Schools

Your first and most important tool is the official FAA AMTS Directory. This is a constantly updated list of every FAA approved A&P school in the United States. You can search this directory by state to find programs near you.

Simply finding a school on the list isn’t enough. You need to find the right school for you. Here are critical factors to consider:

Program Type

Do you want a simple certificate or a college degree?

• Certificate Program: Offered by technical schools, these are focused, “no-frills” programs. They are often faster and cheaper, getting you through the 1,900 hours and to your exams as quickly as possible.
• Associate’s Degree (A.A.S.): Offered by community colleges, this path includes the 1,900 hours of A&P training plus general education classes (like English and math). It takes slightly longer but gives you a college degree, which can be beneficial for long-term career advancement into management.

Cost and Financial Aid

Tuition can range from a few thousand dollars at a public community college to over $50,000 at a private technical institute. Ask detailed questions about the total cost, including tools, books, and exam fees. As these are accredited schools, most are eligible for federal financial aid (FAFSA), scholarships, and veterans’ benefits.

Facilities and Equipment

This is a hands-on career. Your school should have the right “toys.” Ask about their hangar. What kind of aircraft do they have? Do they have modern turbine engines and composite materials, or just older piston-powered aircraft? A good program will have a diverse mix of both to give you broad experience.

Job Placement and Reputation

A school is only as good as the careers it launches. Ask the admissions office for their job placement statistics.

• What percentage of graduates find jobs in the field?
• Where do they work?
• Does the school have relationships with major airlines or MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facilities?
• Do they host career fairs?

A strong reputation and good industry connections can make your transition from student to employee seamless.

What You Will Learn

The A&P curriculum is a fascinating dive into the technology of flight. You will move from theory to practical application, often spending half your day in the classroom and the other half in the hangar.

General Section Highlights

• Aerodynamics: How lift is generated and how control surfaces work.
• Aircraft Drawings: Reading and interpreting the blueprints of an aircraft.
• Basic Electricity: Understanding circuits, wiring, and basic avionics.
• Physics and Math: Calculating weight and balance, leverage, and other essentials.
• Regulations: Learning the FAA rules that govern all maintenance.

Airframe Section Highlights

• Sheet Metal: Learning to rivet, bend, and repair an aircraft’s aluminum skin.
• Composites: Working with modern carbon fiber and fiberglass materials.
• Hydraulics & Pneumatics: Understanding the systems that move landing gear and flight controls.
• Aircraft Systems: Studying everything from air conditioning to anti-ice systems.
• Welding: Learning basic welding techniques for specific aircraft structures.

Powerplant Section Highlights

• Reciprocating Engines: Tearing down and rebuilding the piston engines found in smaller aircraft.
• Turbine Engines: Studying the theory and construction of the massive jet engines that power airliners.
• Propeller Systems: Understanding how propellers work, from fixed-pitch to full-feathering.
• Fuel Systems: Troubleshooting and repairing fuel delivery systems, from tanks to carburetors and injectors.
• Ignition and Electrical: Learning the complex systems that start and power an engine.

Career Outlook for A&P Mechanics

The future for A&P mechanics is exceptionally bright. The aviation industry is facing a “double wave”: a large number of current mechanics are nearing retirement, while the global aircraft fleet continues to grow.

Boeing’s 2023 Pilot and Technician Outlook forecasts a massive global demand for new aviation mechanics over the next 20 years. In North America alone, the need is projected to be 125,000 new technicians.

This translates to incredible job security and rising wages.

Where You Can Work

• Major Airlines: Perform line maintenance (overnight checks at the gate) or heavy maintenance (C and D checks in a large hangar).
• MRO Facilities: These are massive third-party facilities that specialize in heavy-duty overhauls for multiple airlines.
• Corporate Aviation: Maintain fleets of private jets for corporations.
• General Aviation: Work at a local airport (FBO) maintaining smaller, privately-owned aircraft.
• Government and Military: Work as a civilian contractor maintaining government or military support aircraft.
• Manufacturing: Work for companies like Boeing, Airbus, or engine manufacturers, helping to build new aircraft.

Salary Expectations

Salaries for A&P mechanics are strong and grow significantly with experience.

• Entry-Level: New A&P mechanics can expect to start between $25 and $35 per hour.
• Experienced: With 5-10 years of experience, especially at a major airline, mechanics can earn $100,000 to $150,000 per year or more, especially with overtime.

Beyond the A&P Certificate

Your A&P license is the foundation, not the ceiling. It is your ticket to a lifelong career with numerous paths for advancement.

• Inspection Authorization (IA): After holding your A&P for three years, you can test for your IA. This “master mechanic” license allows you to perform annual inspections and sign off on major repairs and alterations.
• Specializations: You can become an expert in a specific area. Avionics (the complex electronics and navigation systems) is a rapidly growing and high-paying specialty. Other specialties include composites, non-destructive testing, and welding.
• Management: Your A&P license and experience make you a prime candidate for leadership roles, such as Lead Mechanic, Maintenance Supervisor, or Director of Maintenance.
• Teaching: You can become an instructor at one of the FAA approved A&P schools, passing on your knowledge to the next generation.

Your Future Takes Flight Now

The aviation industry is built on a foundation of safety, and A&P mechanics play a crucial role in maintaining that foundation. Attending one of the FAA approved A&P schools is your first and most important step into this essential, challenging, and rewarding career.

It’s a path that combines high-tech knowledge with hands-on skills, leading to a stable, well-paying job that is in demand across the globe. If you are ready to build a future you can be proud of, start researching the Part 147 schools near you. Your hangar, your tools, and your new career are waiting.

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Arshad

Flying a drone with a good camera truly feels like you’re soaring through the air, taking in the breathtaking landscape below, and enjoying the scenic views. This experience is what fuels my passion for flying drones. With over 20 years of experience as a certified electronics technician, I possess the skills to thoroughly test drones, both electronically and mechanically, and provide valuable insights. I genuinely hope my knowledge can assist you in making any decisions related to drones.