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Thrust Institute
a close up of a training control panel for becoming an aircraft mechanic

How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic 

Ready to become an aircraft mechanic? In this article we’re going to give you the step-by-step instructions on how to launch this unique career.

Becoming an Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) is a little different than other jobs.

Not only is it a highly skilled, safety-oriented trade, but it’s also regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

If you’re considering how to become an aircraft mechanic, it’s essential to understand the FAA’s requirements and the different paths available to you.

The FAA licenses AMTs with two ratings: The Airframe (A) and the Powerplant (P). If you have both, you’re called an A&P. 

To be eligible to get an A&P, you must be at least 18 years old and be able to read, write, and speak English.

There are written, oral, and practical tests that you must pass. But before taking those, you must meet the minimum experience requirements set out in the FAA‘s rules (the Federal Aviation Regulations, typically called the FARs).

students who want to become an aircraft mechanic

The experience rules outline two options for gaining experience and becoming a certified aircraft mechanic: becoming an apprentice or attending an approved school. Here’s a comparison of these two options. 

Option 1: Aviation Mechanic Apprenticeship Program

The traditional route to becoming an AMT is to seek an apprenticeship.

An apprentice works in a shop alongside more experienced A&Ps and maintenance managers while being carefully supervised and trained. 

This hands-on experience is crucial for those who want to become an aircraft mechanic through the apprenticeship route.

The FAA defines the experience as “practical experience with the procedures, practices, materials, tools, machines, and equipment generally used in constructing, maintaining, or altering an airframe or powerplant, appropriate to the rating sought.”

You are required to work for 18 months as an apprentice before you are eligible to take the exams to get a single Airframe or Powerplant rating.

If you want to take both (to get the full A&P), you must work as an apprentice for 30 months. 

Getting an AMT Apprenticeship

So, how do you go about getting an apprenticeship?

These jobs are typically entry-level jobs at hangers and shops. It’s the unwritten expectation that the experience you receive during an apprenticeship is worth more than money, so they usually don’t pay much. 

These can be the lowest-paying jobs in the field, but the expectation is that you will only do it for 18 to 30 months until you can take the exams.

Once you have the experience, you can get the credentials.

And once you have the A&P, you can move up into higher-paying AMT jobs. In other words, they’re a little like college internships.

Not every shop has the resources and time to train apprentices. 

The word apprentice isn’t always used, making it a little confusing for job applicants. Sometimes, a job description such as ‘mechanics assistant’ or similar is effectively an apprenticeship, but the details can usually be found in the job listing’s fine print.

If the job does NOT require an A&P to apply and implies that there will be on-the-job training provided, chances are it’s an apprenticeship.

Obviously, you’ll want to follow up with questions on the process and what training you’ll receive to prepare you for the tests during any communications or interviews with such companies. 

airplane mechanics in training

Once you have a position, the actual training varies from company to company.

Some organizations are very structured, with lesson plans and a straightforward course of study. But most are much more of a trail by fire, working alongside line mechanics to figure out the day’s problems before moving on to the next. 

Option 2: Attend an Approved AMT School 

The second option the FAA allows is to go to school to get the A&P certificate.

This doesn’t relieve you of all of the requirements, namely, you must still take written, oral, and practical tests. But, it does relieve you of the apprenticeship phase of your career.

Instead of job hunting and dealing with inconsistent or non-existent training plans, you can find a school that suits your style and get a formal education in the fundamentals. 

The biggest benefit to a formal AMT school (like Thrust Institute of Maintenance), is the training is much faster. With AMT school lasting as little as 12 months versus the apprenticeships 30 months.

You can complete AMT School in much less time than an apprenticeship would take.

So, while you would have to pay to go to school, you could get the license — and start applying to real A&P jobs — one and a half years sooner than going the apprenticeship route. 

Going to Aircraft Mechanic School

You must graduate from an FAA-approved AMT school to be eligible for the tests. The FAA website lists 208 approved Part 147 Mechanics Schools in the US.

The website allows you to search by zip code to find one near you.

But, like searching for any kind of school, the one nearest you might not be the best.

Before committing to a school, you’ll want to visit the facility and meet the teachers and staff. Like a high schooler shopping for colleges, you’ll want to ensure the school is a good ‘fit.’

a close up of a training control panel for becoming an aircraft mechanic

But, as an adult, you’ll have other considerations:

  • Tuition costs
  • Amount of financial aid
  • Scholarships available
  • Commuting distance
  • Compatibility with your work schedule (if you’re working while attending school).

Keep in mind that not all programs are structured the same. Some are designed for working folks to attend weekly classes after work or on weekends.

While this gets it done, it might take much longer — sometimes as much as 28 months in total.

Accelerated programs leave less time for working a day job but get you through the material and get you your license much quicker. 

Thrust Institute is designed to get you your A&P license in just 12 months. This allows you to enter the workforce as a licensed mechanic, opening up many more jobs that pay better straight out of school. Learn more about our program.

Which Is Better — Apprenticeships or Aircraft Mechanic School?

The correct answer depends on your priorities, how much time you have, and the way you like to learn.

But it also depends on the job market and what’s available when you’re looking.

Not all shops take on apprentices, and even those that do might not have a program that fits your style.

Going to school allows you more choice, both in terms of how you learn the material and what sort of job you take once you have the license. 

Whether you choose an apprenticeship or attend an aircraft mechanic school, the key is to find the path that best aligns with your learning style, schedule, and career goals to successfully become an aircraft mechanic.

The best thing to do, of course, is to carefully weigh the pros and cons of both options for your situation.

Look at job listings and see what’s available in the apprenticeship world.

Then, tour some aircraft mechanic schools and see what they offer.

Overall, it’s become much more common for new mechanics to start by attending schools over apprenticeships. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when you want to become an aircraft mechanic.

If you want to see what an accelerated, 12-month A&P program is all about, contact Thrust Institute of Maintenance for more information and to schedule a visit.

Become an Aviation Maintenance Technician

Launch your career as an A&P in just one year. With our fast paced program you’ll be able to join the maintenance team for any major airline in the world. And with financing available you can start your training immediately. Click the button below to learn more and start your application.