The aviation industry is short on qualified technicians, and the gap is growing. Boeing projects demand for 710,000 new maintenance technicians globally over the next 20 years, and the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC) reports that domestic demand is still outpacing supply. For anyone weighing a career in aviation maintenance, the field is looking for new qualified technicians.
Aviation maintenance school, formally known as a Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS), is the most direct path to becoming a federally certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT). These programs follow an FAA-defined curriculum and prepare students to test for an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate, the foundational credential for maintenance work on U.S.-registered aircraft.
What You Need Before You Apply
The FAA’s eligibility requirements for an Aviation Mechanic certificate are straightforward. To sit for the certification exams, applicants must be at least 18 years old and able to read, write, speak, and understand English. There are no prescribed general education requirements at the federal level, though individual schools and employers may have their own admission standards.
No prior aviation experience is required to enroll in a Part 147 program. These schools are structured to train students from the ground up, so a background in mechanics, engineering, or aviation is not a prerequisite. If you can follow technical instructions and commit to hands-on training, you meet the basic starting point.
What to expect during admissions will vary by school, but the general process typically involves an application, enrollment paperwork, and an orientation before your first class. At the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM), admissions counselors can walk prospective students through program options and next steps.
The Structure of an Aviation Maintenance Training Program
Part 147 schools follow an FAA-defined curriculum divided into three areas. Together, they cover the knowledge and skills required to maintain aircraft systems and pursue A&P certification.
General, Airframe, and Powerplant Explained
The three curriculum areas each address a distinct body of knowledge:
- General: Foundational subjects required of all mechanics, including electricity, physics, mathematics, weight and balance, hydraulics and pneumatics, ground operations, and applicable federal regulations
- Airframe: Aircraft structure and associated systems, including sheet metal, composites, hydraulics, landing gear, fuel systems, and flight controls
- Powerplant: Aircraft engines and propulsion systems, including reciprocating and turbine engines, ignition systems, fuel metering, and engine inspection procedures
Students pursuing both the Airframe and Powerplant ratings (the full A&P track) must complete at least 1,900 total training hours across all three areas. Program completion typically runs 18 to 24 months depending on schedule and enrollment.
What the Day-to-Day Looks Like
Aviation maintenance school is not a traditional college experience. Expect a structured schedule with consistent hours, hands-on lab time, and attendance requirements closer to a job than a lecture hall.
Students split their time between classroom instruction and fully equipped hangars where they work on actual aircraft and components. At AIM, that means hands-on access to jet engines, turboprops, reciprocating engines, and more, the kinds of systems they will encounter in the field. Rather than reading about a fuel system or an ignition component, students practice working on them directly.
The experience is designed to be immersive. Beyond the technical work, students develop the professional habits that employers often look for in entry-level candidates. This may include showing up on time, following procedures precisely, documenting work accurately, and communicating clearly as part of a team.
Students may develop the manual skills, inspection habits, and attention to detail that employers often value in entry-level candidates.
How the FAA Certification Process Works
Completing a Part 147 program prepares students to pursue an FAA Aviation Mechanic certificate. The certification process involves three types of exams:
| Exam Type | What It Covers |
| Knowledge (Written) | Multiple-choice tests covering General, Airframe, and Powerplant subject areas, one exam per area |
| Oral | Direct questioning by a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) to assess understanding of maintenance tasks, regulations, and procedures |
| Practical | Hands-on demonstration of actual maintenance skills under the supervision of a DME |
All required tests must be passed within a 24-month window. Upon program completion, graduating from a Part 147 school meets the experience requirement to sit for the oral and practical exams with no additional work history required. Students can apply for both the Airframe and Powerplant ratings, or pursue a single rating first.
A score of 70% or higher is required to pass each knowledge test. Students who do not pass may retest after 30 days, or sooner if they present a signed statement from a certificated mechanic confirming additional instruction was completed.
Where an A&P Certificate Takes You
The A&P certificate is the preferred entry-level credential for aviation maintenance work in the United States. It does not guarantee a specific role or salary, as those vary by employer, sector, experience, and location, but it may support access to a wide range of positions.
Common career paths for certificated AMTs include:
- Commercial airlines: Line maintenance, heavy maintenance, and aircraft systems work for scheduled carriers
- Maintenance and Repair Organizations (MROs): Shops that handle scheduled and unscheduled maintenance across multiple aircraft types and operators
- Corporate and business aviation: Maintaining private and charter aircraft for companies and individuals
- General aviation: Smaller FBOs, flight schools, and regional operators
- Military and government support: Civilian maintenance roles supporting defense contractors or government aviation programs
After holding an A&P for at least three years with at least two of those years actively exercising the rights of the certificate, technicians may pursue an Inspection Authorization (IA). An IA allows holders to perform annual inspections and approve major repairs and alterations for service return, responsibilities not available to standard A&P holders.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you are considering aviation maintenance as a career path, AIM offers Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) programs at campuses across the country. Programs follow the FAA Part 147 curriculum and are designed to prepare students to pursue A&P certification upon graduation.
Request information to connect with an AIM admissions counselor and learn more about program options, schedules, and enrollment.
