Pensacola State College, the oldest and largest institution in Northwest Florida’s Panhandle, serves about 26,000 students annually across more than 100 academic programs. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the college offers FAA-aligned aviation maintenance certificates that prepare students for in-demand careers in airframe and powerplant mechanics.
Aviation Maintenance Programs Overview
| Program | Duration | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Airframe Mechanics Certificate | 18 months (1,350 clock hours) | $3,858 (plus fees for books, supplies, and labs) |
| Powerplant Mechanics Certificate | 18 months (1,350 clock hours) | $3,858 (plus fees for books, supplies, and labs) |
Airframe Mechanics Certificate
The Aviation Airframe Mechanics program prepares students with the skills necessary to inspect, service, repair, and overhaul various airframe systems and components, including aircraft structures, hydraulics, electrical and electronics, flight controls, landing gear, brakes, aircraft instruments, and cabin environmental systems. The program aims to develop students who possess the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the FAA written, oral, and practical exams for airframe certification.
Curriculum
AMT 0708C – Aviation Maintenance Technology General I
This course introduces core aviation maintenance topics, including mechanic privileges, math, physics, aircraft drawings, electrical systems, and human factors. Students learn to perform electrical measurements, interpret schematics, use test equipment, and service batteries. The course emphasizes practical skills for understanding circuits, semiconductors, and workplace safety principles.
AMT 0709C – Aviation Maintenance Technology General II
This course covers aircraft hardware, hand tools, precision measuring, fluid lines, and safety wire techniques. It includes training in FAA regulations, aircraft ground operations, corrosion control, and non-destructive testing. Students learn to select materials, perform safety wiring, compute weight and balance, and complete FAA maintenance records.
AMT 0730C – Aviation Maintenance Technology Airframe I
This course focuses on aircraft electrical, communication, and navigation systems. Students gain experience inspecting, troubleshooting, and repairing AC/DC systems, antennas, and autopilot systems. The course also covers generator and alternator functions, lighting systems, and wiring fabrication.
AMT 0731C – Aviation Maintenance Technology Airframe II
This course introduces aircraft finishes, fabric covering, wood structure repair, and welding basics. Students learn to identify water and waste systems, apply finishing materials, and perform welding inspections. The course includes fabrication and repair of non-metallic structures.
AMT 0732C – Aviation Maintenance Technology Airframe III
This course provides hands-on training in aircraft metallic structural repairs. Students learn to install various rivets and fasteners and fabricate, inspect, and repair metal components of the aircraft structure.
AMT 0733C – Aviation Maintenance Technology Airframe IV
This course covers hydraulic and pneumatic systems, landing gear systems, and warning systems. Students learn to inspect, repair, and troubleshoot wheels, tires, braking systems, anti-skid units, and hydraulic/pneumatic power systems.
AMT 0734C – Aviation Maintenance Technology Airframe V
This course introduces fuel systems, ice and rain control, fire protection systems, instruments, pitot-static systems, and cabin atmosphere controls. Students learn to inspect, troubleshoot, and repair these systems, gaining an understanding of their principles and operations.
AMT 0735C – Aviation Maintenance Technology Airframe VI
This course focuses on aircraft assembly and rigging, airframe inspections, and rotorcraft basics. Students practice inspecting and repairing assembly and rigging components and develop a working knowledge of rotorcraft systems and inspection procedures.
Cost & Duration
The program requires 1,350 total clock hours, equivalent to approximately 18 months of full-time study. Based on the vocational course rate of $85.74 per credit hour and estimating the clock hours convert to approximately 45 credit hours, the tuition cost would be approximately $3,858, plus additional fees for books, supplies, and lab requirements.
Powerplant Mechanics Certificate
The Aviation Powerplant Mechanics program prepares students with the skills necessary to inspect, service, repair, and overhaul various powerplant systems and components, including reciprocating and turbine engines, electrical and electronics, precision measurement, propeller service, and fuel system diagnosis. Like the airframe program, this certification pathway develops students to pass FAA written, oral, and practical examinations for powerplant mechanics certification.
Curriculum
AMT 0708C – Aviation Maintenance Technology General I
This course introduces the foundational concepts in aviation maintenance, covering mechanic privileges, math, physics, aircraft drawings, human factors, AC/DC circuits, and electronics. Students learn to make electrical measurements, interpret diagrams, use test equipment, service batteries, and apply safety principles.
AMT 0709C – Aviation Maintenance Technology General II
This course covers aircraft hardware, hand and measuring tools, fluid systems, safety wiring, FAA regulations, and maintenance records. Students gain hands-on skills in fuel handling, corrosion control, non-destructive testing, heat treatment, and computing weight and balance.
AMT 0740C – Aviation Maintenance Technology Powerplant I
This course focuses on reciprocating engine systems, including ignition, fuel metering, induction, exhaust, cooling, lubrication, and propeller systems. Students learn to identify and maintain each system and understand core engine operations.
AMT 0741C – Aviation Maintenance Technology Powerplant II
This course continues instruction in reciprocating engines and related subsystems. Students develop practical skills in system maintenance, inspection, and troubleshooting for fuel, ignition, exhaust, and propeller governing systems.
AMT 0742C – Aviation Maintenance Technology Powerplant III
This course introduces turbine engine fundamentals along with fire protection, engine instruments, and powerplant electrical systems. Students gain knowledge of turbine design and how to monitor and protect engine performance.
AMT 0743C – Aviation Maintenance Technology Powerplant IV
This course covers turbine engine overhaul, installation, removal, inspection, and operation. Students gain experience troubleshooting and performing routine and detailed turbine engine maintenance.
AMT 0744C – Aviation Maintenance Technology Powerplant V
This course focuses on fuel metering and engine fuel systems in both reciprocating and turbine engines. Students learn to inspect, adjust, and repair components essential for fuel delivery and engine performance.
AMT 0745C – Aviation Maintenance Technology Powerplant VI
This course teaches the operation and maintenance of propellers, governing systems, and unducted fans. Students develop hands-on skills in inspecting, troubleshooting, and servicing various propeller configurations and controls.
Cost & Duration
The program requires the same 1,350 total clock hours as the airframe program, equivalent to approximately 18 months of full-time study. Using the same calculation methodology, the estimated tuition cost would be approximately $3,858, plus additional fees for books, supplies, and laboratory requirements.
Facilities & Industry Partnerships
Both programs operate from an innovative training environment at Pensacola International Airport through a strategic partnership with ST Engineering. According to WEAR TV coverage, students currently train in mezzanine space overlooking ST Engineering’s Maintenance Repair Overhaul facility, providing immersive exposure to real-world aviation maintenance operations.
A new 34,000-square-foot dedicated facility is under construction with an estimated cost of $16 million, as reported by the Pensacola News Journal.
Financial Support & Career Outcomes
The programs received substantial funding support, including a $4.41 million Job Growth Grant from Governor Ron DeSantis in 2024, with additional backing from Triumph Gulf Coast, Santa Rosa County Economic Development, and other partners.
ST Engineering committed $100,000 in scholarships over five years for deserving students. Graduates can expect starting salaries around $50,000 annually, with potential earnings up to $84,000 in Florida, addressing the critical industry shortage where Boeing projects the need for over 600,000 maintenance technicians globally by 2041.
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