Associate's Degree in Aircraft Maintenance: $8,000-$30,000
Bachelor's Degree in Aircraft Maintenance: $20,000-$80,000
Aircraft mechanics are trained to Federal Aviation Administration standards to maintain, repair and inspect aircraft such as jets, propeller-driven airplanes and helicopters. Specialties within the field include airframe mechanics (the structure of the plane), powerplant mechanics (engines and propellers), A&P (a combination of airframe and powerplant mechanics), and avionics systems (navigation and radar systems, radio communications, and computers), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics[1] .
Typical costs:
An associate's degree in aircraft maintenance costs $8,000-$30,000 and can be completed in two years. Portland Community College[2] in Oregon charges $8,500 for tuition and fees for the two-year program, while Columbus State Community College charges $14,000 for Ohio residents and $31,000 for non-residents. Graduates of this program typically apply for an entry-level job as a certified aviation maintenance technician.
A bachelor's degree in aircraft maintenance costs $20,000-$80,000 and can be completed in four years. The Pennsylvania College of Technology[3] charges $54,360 for state residents or $68,040 for non-residents for the four-year bachelor's degree. Lewis University[4] in Romeoville, IL, costs $76,800 for tuition and fees for the accelerated bachelor's degree program. Graduates of a four-year program may pursue a career as an aviation maintenance technician, aircraft salesperson, technical representative, or ground operations person, according to Education Portal[5] . With an advanced degree and experience fixing higher-level aircraft, a mechanic's salary[6] typically increases.
Test preparation courses for aircraft maintenance certification exams cost $150-$2,500. Washington's Everett Community College[7] offers test prep courses for $150-$500, while the Aviation School of Excellence[8] in Valdosta, GA has courses for $600-$2,450.
FAA certification for aircraft mechanics costs $100-$600 per exam, and actual costs vary by testing location. Applicants must pass a written, oral and practical exam in each area they apply for certification. For example, in Florida designated testing centers, a written exam costs $150, while practical airframe or powerplant tests cost $350 each or $600 for both.
Common coursework for aircraft mechanics programs include aviation science, mathematics, physics and aircraft structures, according to Education Portal[9] . Specific skills may include dismantling and reassembling an engine, rigging an assembly of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft and interpreting test flight reports. Bachelor's degree programs are more in-depth than associate's degree programs in that they cover theory and business-related issues
Additional costs:
Living expenses can add $10,000-$20,000 per year to education costs. For example, Vaughn College[10] in Flushing, NY, estimates $7,300-$9,900 for housing and $1,190-$3,300 for a meal plan.
A membership to theAircraft Maintenance Professionals Society[11] costs $35-$70.
Discounts:
Industry groups like the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association[12] and the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance[13] offer scholarships of $1,000-$2,000.
Some FAA-certified mechanics receive initial training through the military, with all tuition and fees paid.
Shopping for aircraft mechanic training:
Federal Aviation Administration has a searchable database[14] of approved aviation maintenance technician schools. These programs contain a minimum of 1,900 classroom hours over one or two years.
The Federal Aviation Administration provides a study guide[15] and sample test questions for mechanics seeking certification.
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