Aviation Maintenance Technology Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

An Aviation Maintenance Technology major prepares you to inspect, maintain and repair aircraft. Aviation maintenance programs, often at FAA-certificated schools, cover airframes, powerplants, aircraft electrical systems and regulations.

An Aviation Maintenance Technology major includes coursework in aircraft structures, reciprocating and turbine engines, aircraft electrical systems, avionics, and FAA regulations and more. You build skills such as mechanical repair, inspection, following maintenance manuals, and documentation. Typical degrees: certificate and associate degree.

Typical courses include aircraft structures, reciprocating and turbine engines, aircraft electrical systems, avionics, FAA regulations, and inspection and maintenance practices. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Aviation Maintenance Technology is offered as certificate, associate, and bachelor’s awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, and a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study. Part-time study takes longer.

Certificate and associate degree. In the latest federal data, 117 colleges reported certificate awards, 110 colleges reported associate awards, and 5 colleges reported bachelor’s awards.

Career paths connected to aviation maintenance technology include aircraft mechanic, avionics technician, aerospace engineering technician, and aircraft assembler. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include aircraft mechanic (typical training: 18–30 months), avionics technician (typical training: 12–24 months), aerospace engineering technician (typical training: 2-year degree), and aircraft assembler (typical training: Several months of training).

Aviation Maintenance Technology majors build skills such as mechanical repair, inspection, following maintenance manuals, documentation, and attention to detail.

Good pairings include Business (useful for maintenance management roles).

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as aircraft mechanic, avionics technician, and aerospace engineering technician, and enjoy subjects like aircraft structures and reciprocating and turbine engines. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes aircraft structures, reciprocating and turbine engines, and aircraft electrical systems; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

133 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (19), Georgia (9), Texas (8), Washington (7), and Florida (6), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

113 of the colleges that offer aviation maintenance technology also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Aviation Maintenance Technology prepares you to inspect, maintain and repair aircraft. Mechatronics and Robotics combines mechanics, electronics and programming to build and maintain automated systems. Aviation Maintenance Technology leads to careers such as aircraft mechanic and avionics technician, while Mechatronics and Robotics leads to careers such as mechatronics technician and industrial maintenance technician.

Aviation Maintenance Technology prepares you to inspect, maintain and repair aircraft. Precision Machining and CNC teaches you to make precision parts with manual and computer-controlled machines. Aviation Maintenance Technology leads to careers such as aircraft mechanic and avionics technician, while Precision Machining and CNC leads to careers such as CNC machinist and CNC operator.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to aviation maintenance technology, such as Aircraft Mechanic Training.