FAQs – Aviation Maintenance Technology

Aviation Maintenance Technicians inspect, service and repair airplanes, commercial airlines, and helicopters of all sizes. This hands-on training program provide a well-rounded education in aviation mechanics and systems. You’ll gain hands-on experience working with:

• aircraft structures,
• reciprocating and jet engines,
• hydraulics,
• electrical wiring and avionics,
• 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 in small general aviation or with 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.

The FAA airframe and powerplant certifications are good for life in any state. FAA certified technicians work worldwide in the aviation industry. Certified technicians are not limited to maintenance, after a few years’ experience technicians often move into maintenance management and workforce development.

In the United States, the aviation industry has a need for 132,000 technicians between 2021 and 2041. There are currently not enough licensed aviation technicians to fill every job in the US. Over the next few years approximately 30% of the existing aviation technology workforce is going to retire. This will create thousands of positions for new technicians.

Companies throughout the region, like Airborne Maintenance and Engineering (Wilmington OH), Thoroughbred Aviation (Lexington and Huntington), Embraer Aircraft in (Nashville), and Pratt and Whitney (Bridgeport) have hundreds of positions open collectively.

Yes. The program is working with employers like Delta Airlines, Embraer aircraft, Thoroughbred Aviation, and others to provide students with direct access to industry recruiters while they are in the program. Also, industry representatives will come to the school or give virtual presentations to familiarize students with the industry and their employment options upon graduation.

This program is a joint offering of Marshall and MCTC. Students will be accepted and enrolled at both institutions at the same time. Both institutions will have their names on your diploma.

The application process starts with MCTC, which will also administer financial aid for the program. The first step is to apply at MCTC. Applications are being accepted now.

The Marshall/Mountwest Aviation Maintenance Technology program is 18 months long. During this time, students will complete both lecture and hands-on training to meet the standards for FAA testing for the Airframe and Powerplant certifications. Students will also complete courses through Mountwest to complete an associate degree.

Due to the nature of the program, students will be in class between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. for 18 months. A typical classroom day will include both technology lectures and hands-on time spent working on aircraft systems components or aircraft structures. Students will have breaks in between each section and a 30-minute lunch.

Attendance is essential to graduation and completion of certificates. Each program section will cover a large amount of information and time spent out of class will put a student farther behind than average programs.

Students will receive AMT program polo shirts to wear during the program. As the goal of this program is to train students for industry environments, they will be required to wear the issued attire. Clothing should be proper for a professional maintenance shop environment, with no dangling jewelry or materials that can get stuck or caught on equipment.

No. The program is will provide lab tools to students as necessary. However, upon graduation, it is entirely possible that students will have to purchase their own toolboxes as a personal expense, as not all aviation maintenance facilities provide tooling.

AMT stands for Aviation Maintenance Technology. This is the field dedicated to maintaining and servicing aircraft. A&P stands for Airframe and Powerplant, which are the two FAA licenses required to work as an AMT technician.

Students will apply through Mountwest and all financial aid should be directed through MCTC as well. After a student is accepted into MCTC, additional documentation will be required to enroll the student as a Marshall student in the joint program.

If the school was a postsecondary school, with an official transcript showing what FAA line items have been successfully completed, transfer credit can be given. Each school divides the FAA curriculum differently; therefore, to receive credit, all line items from the our program must have been addressed for credit.

Financial aid is available through MCTC. Financial aid counselors at MCTC will be glad to discuss your personal options with you. We expect this program will be eligible for WV Invests, which provides additional financial support.