Aircraft Mechanic Trade School in Iowa

Today, the FAA has approximately 170 approved Aircraft Mechanic Trade 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 Aircraft Mechanic Training Certification.

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 mechanic jobs in Iowa. 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 Aircraft Mechanic Trade Schools in Iowa.

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.

A&P Mechanic Training is Improved by the VA Approval Process

The requirements for receiving an aviation mechanic certificate are standardized, but there is still a lot of variation in training programs. Since the VA mandates a fairly stringent approval process and there are ongoing paperwork requirements, most schools have a VA representative who is very familiar with the system.

The FAA demand, the approval process, and the paperwork have a net effect of improving the quality of your aviation mechanic training by weeding out weak training courses and keeping you active in your training. Once you start training, most of the paperwork can be managed for you, allowing you to focus on your aviation mechanic training.

In fact, this is the most important takeaway. The stringent requirements of the Post 9/11 GI Bill create better-equipped schools, more efficient training courses, and save you money during your aviation mechanic training. For more information and to verify your eligibility, call 1-888-GIBILL-1 or check out the GI Bill website.