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What are the Requirements for a FAA Mechanic Certificate?
The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) issues an aviation mechanic certificate with an Airframe (A) rating, or a Powerplant (P) rating, or both (A&P) ratings to qualified applicants. To obtain a FAA approved mechanic’s certificate you will need to meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Read, write, speak, and understand English.
- Attend an FAA certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician school, like MIAT College of Technology OR have 30 months of experience with airframe and powerplant maintenance.
- Pass a series of exams to confirm the level of your knowledge. These exams are divided into three sections; General, Airframe, and Powerplant. For each of these sections, there is an oral, practical, and written examination.
Although an FAA approved mechanic’s certificate is not required to work on aircraft, most airlines require the certification as part of the hiring process. Also, without an FAA mechanic’s certificate you cannot release an aircraft back into service. An FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification is good until surrendered, suspended, or revoked, so you could have it for life. This is different than a repairman certificate that ends if you leave an employer. With these limitations it is typical that mechanics with an FAA Airframe and Powerplant Certificate will on average have more job opportunities than unlicensed counterparts. Also, the potential of higher pay is also increased with an FAA aviation mechanic’s certificate.* MIAT’s aviation technician programs focus on Airframe and Powerplant certification.
Due to the experience requirement, an FAA approved aviation mechanic license is usually acquired through the military, work apprenticeships, or through an Aviation Maintenance Technician School. Students at MIAT College of Technology can obtain their A&P certificate in as little as 20 months.* At MIAT students are given both hands-on training and technical skills education. This training helps students meet the experience requirement set by the FAA. MIAT helps educate students for the examination and gives students the experience they need to acquire an entry into aviation maintenance employment, especially with MIAT’s partnerships with employers like Delta Airlines and Spirit Airlines.
*MIAT is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
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