Aircraft Equipment Mechanic Career Coursework
The FAA requires at least 18 months of work experience for an airframe, power plant or avionics repairer's certificate; for a combined A&P certificate, at least 30 months of experience working with both engines and airframes is required. Completion of a program at an FAA-certified mechanic school can substitute for the work experience requirements.
Applicants for all certificates also must pass written and oral tests and demonstrate that they can do the work authorized by the certificate. To obtain an inspector's authorization, a mechanic must have held an A&P certificate for at least three years. Most airlines require mechanics to have both a high school diploma and an A&P certificate.
About a third of FAA certified trade schools award two- and four-year degrees in avionics, aviation technology or aviation maintenance management. FAA standards require that these schools offer students a minimum of 1,900 actual class hours; courses normally last 24 to 30 months and provide training with the tools and equipment used on the job.
Some aircraft mechanics in the Armed Forces acquire enough general experience to satisfy the work experience requirements for the FAA certificate. With additional study, they may pass the certifying exam. However, in general, jobs in the military are too specialized to provide the broad experience required by the FAA.
Courses in mathematics, physics, electronics, chemistry, mechanical drawing and computer science are helpful; courses that develop writing skills are also important, since mechanics are often required to submit reports. FAA regulations require current experience to keep the A&P certificate valid; applicants must have at least 1,000 hours of work-experience in the previous 24 months or take a refresher course.
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