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Best aircraft mechanic certifications
Aircraft mechanic certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an aircraft mechanic to employers. However, not all aircraft mechanic certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for an aircraft mechanic are Certified Aviation Manager (CAM), Unmanned Systems Aircraft Maintenance, and Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET).
Below is a list of the best aircraft mechanic certifications. Obtaining an aircraft mechanic certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
9 best certifications for aircraft mechanics
| Rank | Aircraft mechanic certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) | NBAA |
| 2 | Unmanned Systems Aircraft Maintenance | NCATT |
| 3 | Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) | NCATT |
| 4 | Mechanical Inspector Certification (CMI) | ASQ |
| 5 | Certified Aerospace Technician | SpaceTEC |
| 6 | General Radiotelephone Operator (PG) | FCC |
| 7 | Certified Maintenance Manager (CMM) | AHLAEI |
| 8 | Avionics Electronics Technician (AVN) | ETA |
| 9 | Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) | ETA |
9 best aircraft mechanic certifications
1. Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)
NBAA's Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Program identifies qualified professionals to lead flight departments and companies that use business aircraft. Join the ranks of esteemed aviation professionals who have already been recognized as Certified Aviation Managers and apply for the CAM Exam today.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
2. Unmanned Systems Aircraft Maintenance
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
3. Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
4. Mechanical Inspector Certification (CMI)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
5. Certified Aerospace Technician
The SpaceTEC Certified Aerospace Technician Core exam is a three part exam consisting of a 70 question, computer based, written exam, followed by an oral and practical evaluation of an individual's technical knowledge and skills. The Core examination focuses on the aerospace technical core consisting of the following subject areas: Introduction to Aerospace, Applied Mechanics, Basic Electricity, Test & Measurements, Materials and Processes and Aerospace Safety.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
6. General Radiotelephone Operator (PG)
PG is required to adjust, maintain, or internally repair FCC licensed radiotelephone transmitters in the aviation, maritime, and international fixed public radio services. It conveys all of the operating authority of the MP. It is also required to operate the following: any maritime land radio station or compulsorily equipped ship radiotelephone station operating with more than 1500 watts of peak envelope power.voluntarily equipped ship and aeronautical (including aircraft) stations with more than 1000 watts of peak envelope power.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
7. Certified Maintenance Manager (CMM)
Today's successful maintenance managers must have effective human resources and facilities management expertise, sound judgment, and practical skills. They must keep pace with change, improve their knowledge, and share their experience with others. The Certified Maintenance Manager (CMM) designation provides recognition for these skills.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
8. Avionics Electronics Technician (AVN)
The avionics specialty is designed to assess the knowledge and skills of individuals who install, maintain and adjust electronics equipment, cabling and the accessories used in aviation communications and control equipment. An FCC GROL is also highly recommended. Several of the topics covered in this examination include: Avionics Systems, Cabling, Computers and Digital Concepts, Amplifiers, Interfacing, Antennas and Transmission Lines Components, Mathematics, Network Topologies and Infrastructures, People Relations, Optical Cabling, Safety, Test Equipment and Tools and Satellite Communications.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 4 year(s)
9. Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma)
A technician with six or more years combined work and electronics training may be eligible for the ETA Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) certification. The Master certification was created to showcase those technicians who are able to demonstrate proficiency in the many fields of electronics. In addition to the Associate level certification, one must successfully obtain six other certifications, with no more than two originating from the same specialized category, in order to qualify.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
What is the best certification for an aircraft mechanic?
The best aircraft mechanic certification is Certified Aviation Manager (CAM). The Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) is awarded by the National Business Aviation Association. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this aircraft mechanic certification:
- To become a certified Certified Aviation Manager (CAM), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for aircraft mechanics?
The most in-demand aircraft mechanic certification is General Radiotelephone Operator based on all active job postings. Having this aircraft mechanic certification will give you access to more aircraft mechanic jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact an aircraft mechanic career and salary?
The Certified Aviation Manager certification will help you to secure an avionics technician position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. An avionics technician's average salary is $54,453 whereas aircraft mechanics make an average salary of $60,496.
The most common combination of aircraft mechanic certifications include: Certified Aviation Manager (CAM), Unmanned Systems Aircraft Maintenance, and Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET).
Online courses for aircraft mechanics to earn certifications
1. Modelling and simulation of mechanical systems
The course provides the principles of modelling and simulation of modern mechatronic systems, which are mechanical systems integrated with several types of sensors and actuators. The aim of the course is to show different methodologies to improve the potential of mechanical systems by transforming them into mechatronic systems based on virtual models. In particular, the lessons will be focused on case studies in three engineering fields: robotics, controlled electro-hydraulic actuators and...
2. Fundamentals of Flight mechanics
How do planes take off? How do they fly? How do pilots maintain control of them? And how high can airplanes fly? Get answers to all these questions and more with this specialization exploring the fundamentals of flight mechanics. You will learn how the laws of physics apply to airplanes and discover important concepts in aviation including lift, drag, and propulsion...
3. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...
4. Flight Mechanics - From Theory to Certification of Aircraft
Modeling theory, aircraft 6DOF simulation, flight dynamics, flight simulators and aircraft certification...
5. Development of Secure Embedded Systems
Three people died after the crash landing of an Asiana Airlines aircraft from Seoul, Korea, at San Fransisco International Airport (SFO) on July 6, 2013. The American National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) established that the crash most probably was caused by the flight crew's (in)actions. Three teenage girls lost their lives; two in the airplane and another was accidentally run over by a firetruck.\n\nThe human factor is often cause for accidents. NTSB and others report that more than 50...
6. Part 1 FAA Private Pilot Ground School (Part 61)
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7. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide
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8. Electrical Control & Protection Systems
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Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Mechanics of Airplanes - Aerodynamics, Flight Maneuvers, JET Engines...
10. Airline Operations: Flight Planning and Flight Dispatch
Airline Operations: Master the essentials of aviation - aircraft operational control and dispatch...
11. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control
Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...
12. Garnett Cross Training in the Maintenance of Oil Hydraulics
This course will prepare you to work with hydraulic systems, plan maintenance and perform troubleshooting...
13. Electrical Control & Protection Systems part 2
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
14. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)
Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...
15. Electrical Control & Protection Part 4
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16. BMS - Building management system
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17. Systems Innovation
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18. Data Center Essentials: Mechanical & Cooling
The mechanical cooling systems that support data centers and the internet...
19. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp
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20. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC
Modeling + state space systems + PID + Model Predictive Control + Python simulation: lateral control for autonomous cars...