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Aviation Maintenance Technology

If you like airplanes and enjoy fixing things with tools, a career as an aviation technician could be a good fit.

In this program, you’ll learn to inspect, service and repair airplanes and helicopters of all sizes. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved courses provide a well-rounded education in general aviation mechanics. You’ll gain hands-on experience working with aircraft structures, engines, hydraulics, electrical wiring, flight instruments and other aviation components and systems.

As a graduate of the program, you’ll be eligible to take the FAA exam for licensure in both airframes and powerplants. Whether you want to work on single-engine airplanes or large commercial jet aircraft, this program will prepare you for a multitude of career options with major airlines, manufacturers, repair stations, structural repair facilities and other organizations in the aviation industry.

Detailed Information

You will be required to provide a basic set of hand tools for use during the program. Tools cost between $1,000 and $1,500.

  1. Qualified to take the FAA general, airframe, and powerplant tests.
  2. Able to perform the duties of a beginning certified mechanic with entry level skills in the repair, maintenance, inspection and overhaul of airframe and of aircraft powerplants, including electrical systems, sheet metal, welding, hydraulic systems, rigging and assembly, wood, fabric and finishes, propellers, ignition systems, lubrication systems, and general overhaul procedures.
  3. Able to use tools, equipment, methods, and procedures in repair, maintenance, and inspection of aircraft and powerplants.
  4. Able to meet the requirements for an AAS degree from Spokane Community College.

Approved courses in both airframe and powerplant mechanics are offered to meet the Federal Aviation Administration requirements. General aircraft courses offered in the first two quarters are integral to both the airframe and powerplant phases of the program. Students receive a well–rounded education in general aircraft mechanics in the first two quarters of the program. Third and fourth–quarter course offerings include both lecture and lab courses in airframe repair, and fifth and sixth–quarter offerings include lecture and lab courses in powerplant repair.
 
Coursework in written communication and human relations/leadership is required to satisfy the related education requirements for an AAS degree and these courses will be by arrangement. Computation is embedded within the program to meet AAS degree requirements.

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the FAA examination for both the Airframe and Powerplant licenses. 

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Placement

Math placement is not required for this program.

Prepare for College-level English

English placement is required for this program. If your English placement is below ENGL& 101, you’ll need to take following sequence of courses, starting from the level you placed into:
AE 36 → AE 46 and 47 (taken together) → AE 67 → ENGL 99 → ENGL& 101

Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 130


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ARCFT115
Introduction to General Aircraft Maintenance  
5
ARCFT116
Introduction to General Aircraft Maintenance Shop  
5
ARCFT117
General Aircraft Maintenance  
5
ARCFT118
General Aircraft Maintenance Shop  
5
Total Credits
 
20

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ARCFT119
General Electricity & Electronics  
5
ARCFT120
General Electricity & Electronics Shop  
5
ARCFT135
Airframe & Powerplant Electrical Systems  
5
ARCFT136
Airframe & Powerplant Electrical Systems Shop  
5
 
Written Communication Elective (choose one)   1
5
Total Credits
 
25
Written Communication Elective (choose one): Choose 5 credits Written Communication Elective (choose one): Choose 5 credits  
ENGL&101
English Composition I  
5
ENGL&102
Composition II  
5
ENGL&235
Technical Writing  
5

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ARCFT137
Airframe Metallic Structures  
5
ARCFT138
Airframe Metallic Structures Shop  
5
ARCFT139
Airframe Non-Metallic Structures & Environment Systems  
5
ARCFT140
Airframe Non-Metallic Structures & Environment Systems Shop  
5
 
Human Relations & Leadership Electives (choose one)   1
5
Total Credits
 
25
BUS 280
Human Relations in Business  
5
CMST&101
Introduction to Communication  
5
CMST 127
Leadership Development  
3 - 5
CMST&210
Interpersonal Communication  
5
CMST 227
Intercultural Communication  
5
CMST 287
Communication in Organizations  
5

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ARCFT235
Airframe Flight Control, Rigging, and Landing Gear Systems  
5
ARCFT236
Airframe Flight Control, Rigging, and Landing Gear Systems Shop  
5
ARCFT237
Airframe Instruments, Fluid Systems, & Inspections  
5
ARCFT238
Airframe Instruments, Fluid Systems, & Inspections Shop  
5
Total Credits
 
20

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ARCFT245
Airframe Reciprocating Engines  
5
ARCFT246
Airframe Reciprocating Engines Shop  
5
ARCFT247
Airframe Turbine Engines  
5
ARCFT248
Airframe Turbine Engines Shop  
5
Total Credits
 
20

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ARCFT255
Powerplant Combustions, Monitoring, & Exhaust Systems  
5
ARCFT256
Powerplant Combustions, Monitoring, & Exhaust Systems Shop  
5
ARCFT257
Powerplant Propellers, Airflow, & Cooling Systems  
5
ARCFT258
Powerplant Propellers, Airflow, & Cooling Systems Shop  
5
Total Credits
 
20

1 Electives can be taken at any time and should be chosen from the provided list. Any related course or combination of courses can be substituted upon approval by the instructional dean.

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Military Tuition Assistance Program
Tuition
$ 10,757
$ 12,989
$ 23,475
$ 8,408
Books
$ 702
$ 702
$ 702
$ 702
Course Fees
$ 1,243
$ 1,243
$ 1,243
$ 1,243
Institutional Fees
$ 672
$ 672
$ 672
$ 672
Total Costs
$ 13,374
$ 15,606
$ 26,092
$ 11,025

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

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