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This question is about aircraft mechanic education.
What degree do you need to be an aircraft mechanic?
You do not need an associate's degree to be an aircraft mechanic. The majority of aircraft mechanics have either an associate's or bachelor's degree. The most common majors for an aircraft mechanic are aviation, automotive technology, business, and aerospace engineering.
One common path for aircraft mechanics, however, is through a professional-technical school. Training programs last two or four years and you earn an associate or bachelor's degree at a school certified by the Federal Aviation Association (FAA). Key courses taken during this time include Reciprocating Engines, Turbine Engines, Sheet Metal Non-Metallic Structures, Welding, Airframe Fuel Systems, Aircraft Fundamentals, and Basic Electricity.
To get into an FAA-approved school requires only that you are 18 years of age or older, able to read, write, and understand English, and must have a high school diploma. In some FAA-approved programs, you can earn your associate degree in as little as 14 months.
Once you earn your degree, the FAA requires 18 months of work experience before you become a certified aircraft mechanic. For a more specialized position, such as an airframe and powerplant (AP) certificate, you need 30 months of work experience.
The three main types of Aircraft Mechanics Programs are:
The 14-month Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program comprises 44 FAA-mandated subjects divided into three sections: General, Airframe, and Powerplant. After, these fast-paced programs allow students to the necessary FAA exams to complete training!
The 7-month Advanced Aircraft Systems (AAS) program is designed for those who want to become a more well-rounded and competitive candidate by training on the electrical components and systems of an aircraft.
The 21-month Aviation Maintenance Professional (AMP) program is a fusion of the AMT and AAS programs. Aviation mechanics who have mastery of both mechanical and electrical knowledge of aircraft are increasingly in demand in the career field.
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