Antelope Valley College trains aviation mechanics in Lancaster, in an aerospace corridor that includes Edwards Air Force Base, Plant 42 and major defense contractors. Hands-on work takes place in a 10,000-square-foot hangar at Fox Field that opened in 2021.
Verified October 3, 2026 against AVC’s program page and 2025-26 catalog. Compare all California A&P schools.
Quick Facts
- Length: 2 years including summers (full A&P)
- Cost: $3,558 CA residents (75 units, 2026-27)
- Location: Lancaster, CA (Fox Field hangar and main campus)
- Website: Official School Web Page
Compare with other A&P schools nearby: Los Angeles-area A&P schools.
Our Take
AVC is the low-cost path into Antelope Valley aerospace work: about $3,558 for residents for the full A&P, two years including summers. The college says Northrop Grumman requires local applicants without experience to be graduates of the program. Very few AVC students took FAA tests in the latest report, so there is no pass rate to judge yet.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| FAA status | Part 147 certificated school (certificate VLTT024K) |
| Full A&P path | AERO 120, 121, 230, 231, 240 and 241: 75 units |
| Other credentials | General (18 units), Airframe (30) and Powerplant (30) certificates; associate degrees |
| Length | 2 years, starting in summer (AERO 120/121 run in summer only) |
| Cost (2026-27) | About $3,558 for CA residents; about $32,958 nonresident |
| FAA pass rate | Too few tests to report (1 of 2, Aug 2023–Dec 2024) |
| Facilities | 10,000-sq-ft hangar at Fox Field; some labs at Barnes Aviation |
| Verified | October 3, 2026 |
Programs and Costs
AVC’s aeronautical and aviation technology program splits the A&P into three certificates that add up to the full path.
| Program | Units | FAA exams covered |
|---|---|---|
| General Aircraft Maintenance | 18 | General |
| Aircraft Airframe certificate | 30 | Airframe |
| Aircraft Powerplant certificate | 30 | Powerplant |
| Full A&P path | 75 | All three |
Associate degrees in each area add general education.
What You Will Actually Pay
California residents pay $46 per unit in 2026-27; the California College Promise Grant waives that fee for eligible residents, though campus fees still apply. The 75-unit path is $3,450 in enrollment fees, about $3,558 with health and representation fees. Nonresidents pay $438 per unit, about $32,958.
Facilities
The Fox Field training facility opened in February 2021 with a hangar, composite lab and classrooms.
How It Compares in Southern California
| School | Full A&P path | Length | Cost | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antelope Valley College (Lancaster) | A&P courses (75 units) | 2 years incl. summers | $3,558 | Too few tests |
| Victor Valley College (Victorville) | AS (82 units) | 18 months–2 years | $3,884 | 82.4% |
| North Valley Occupational Center (Van Nuys) | 2,340 hours | About 2 years | Tuition-free | 97.5% |
| Mt. San Antonio College (Walnut) | AS (63.5–67.5 units) | 21–24 months | $3,129 | 94.4% |
| Chaffey College (Rancho Cucamonga) | Certificate (about 53 units) | About 18 months | About $2,507 | 91.4% |
| Spartan College (Inglewood) | Diploma (93 credits) | 18 months | $57,096 | 85.4% |
AVC is the only A&P program in the Antelope Valley. See all California A&P schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Antelope Valley College’s program FAA-approved?
Yes. It operates FAA Part 147 school VLTT024K. Its graduates took only two FAA written tests from August 2023 to December 2024, too few for a pass rate, per the FAA’s pass-rate report.
When does the program start?
In summer: the first General courses (AERO 120 and 121) run only in summer.
How much does it cost?
About $3,558 for California residents for the 75-unit path at 2026-27 rates.
Related Programs
View All Aviation Mechanic Schools in California
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) - Fremont
- California Aeronautical University - Bakersfield
- Chaffey College - Rancho Cucamonga
- College of Alameda - Alameda
- Cuesta College - San Luis Obispo
- Gavilan College - San Martin
- Mt. San Antonio College - Walnut
- North Valley Occupational Center - Van Nuys
- Orange Coast College - Costa Mesa
- Reedley College - Reedley
- Sacramento City College - Sacramento
- San Bernardino Valley College - San Bernardino
- San Diego Miramar College - San Diego
- San Joaquin Valley College - Fresno
- Solano Community College - Vacaville
- Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology - Inglewood & Riverside
- Universal Technical Institute - Long Beach
- Victor Valley College - Victorville
- West Los Angeles College - Culver City