Aircraft Mechanic Training

By Kyle Garrett

The Path to Aircraft Mechanic Training

There are several training routes to take for your aircraft mechanic training.

Attend a Federal Aviation Administration- (FAA) approved AMT training school - Today, the FAA has approximately 170 approved AMT schools on their website. You can attend one or a combination of these schools to gain the practical experience you'll need to become an aircraft mechanic. These schools are mandated by the FAA to offer at least 1900 class-hours of training, and the courses last about 18 months, on average. Some of these schools offer Associate or Bachelor degrees in conjunction with the AMT certification training.

Military training - many A&P mechanics today were trained in the military. As a military mechanic, you could be working on anything from large airliners and transports to jet fighters and attack helicopters. If you decide to go this route, upon your discharge from the military, you'll need to take the necessary FAA tests and have the proper documentation of your practical experience. Once you have passed the required tests, you'll be eligible to apply for A&P jobs. However, please note that military experience can sometimes be too specific, and not meet the broad specifications required by the FAA. Even after your discharge, you may have to attend one of the FAA approved AMT schools.

On the job training - a very few people earn the required minimum coursework and skill set needed to pass the A&P certification tests through on the job training. Typically, you must be under the direct supervision of an A&P for at least 30 months and be logging all of your hours to go this route. Your time log must be notarized by your employer or signed off by the supervising A&P.

Find out more about aircraft mechanic jobs.

A&P Requirements in the USA

To be a certified A&P mechanic or avionics technician you need to meet several qualifications:

• Age 18 or older
• Read, write, speak, and understand the English language
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Display the required technical skills

Read more about earning an A&P license.