Gavilan College trains aviation mechanics on San Martin Airport, south of San José. It is the main public A&P option in the South Bay and a feeder to San José State’s bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance management.
Verified October 2, 2026 against the college’s program page, Fall 2026 class schedule and 2026-27 fee sheet. Compare all California A&P schools.
Quick Facts
- Length: 4 semesters, days (70-unit A&P)
- Cost: $3,348 resident tuition + fees (full A&P)
- Location: San Martin, CA (San Martin Airport)
- Website: Official School Web Page
Compare with other A&P schools nearby: Bay Area A&P schools.
Our Take
Gavilan fits South Bay and Central Coast students who want a low-cost, on-airport program with a straightforward two-year day schedule. With College of Alameda paused and City College of San Francisco suspended, it is one of the few public A&P programs left in the Bay Area. Classes are small and fill, so contact the department early; the Powerplant pass rate is based on very few tests.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| FAA status | Part 147 certificated school (certificate DJ9T088R) |
| Full A&P path | AMT 100, 101, 110, 111, 120 and 121: 70 units, 1,900 hours |
| Length | Four semesters: General and Airframe in year one, Powerplant in year two |
| Schedule | Days; AMT 110/111 meet Monday–Friday, 10:25 a.m.–3 p.m. |
| Starts | Fall |
| Tuition + fees | $3,348 for California residents; $29,248 nonresident |
| FAA pass rate | 81.8% (27 of 33 written tests, Aug 2023–Dec 2024) |
| Campus | 13021 Murphy Ave, San Martin, CA 95046 (San Martin Airport) |
| Verified | October 2, 2026 |
Programs and Costs
Gavilan’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program earns a Certificate of Completion once you meet the FAA hour requirements. An associate degree adds general education.
| Program | Units | Hours | FAA exams covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (AMT 100 + 101) | 18 | 400 | General |
| Airframe certificate (General + AMT 110, 111) | 45 | 1,050 | General, Airframe |
| Powerplant certificate (General + AMT 120, 121) | 43 | 1,050 | General, Powerplant |
| Combined A&P (all six courses) | 70 | 1,900 | General, Airframe, Powerplant |
Resident totals use $46 per unit plus health, activity, representation and campus center fees ($32 per semester) over four semesters.
What You Will Actually Pay
For the full A&P path, California residents pay 70 × $46 = $3,220 in enrollment fees plus about $128 in campus fees, about $3,348. Nonresidents pay $416 per unit in 2026-27 (including the enrollment and capital outlay fees), about $29,248. Budget about $500 for tools from the department’s tool list, plus FAA testing.
How to Enroll
See a Gavilan counselor and email the aviation department (aviation@gavilan.edu) before registering. Taking AMT 101 and 111 together exceeds the normal unit cap and needs counselor approval. Fall 2026 sections had only a few open seats when we checked.
How It Compares in the Bay Area
| School | Full A&P path | Length | Cost | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gavilan College (San Martin) | 70 units | 4 semesters | $3,348 | 81.8% |
| Solano Community College (Vacaville) | 62 units | Not published | $2,988 | 76.5% |
| College of Alameda (Oakland airport) | 75 units | 2 years, evenings | $3,792 (paused) | 92.5% |
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance (Fremont) | 78 credits | 21 months | $53,087 (2024) | 76.2% |
| Sacramento City College | 67–70 units | About 2 years, evenings | $3,487 | 100% |
Gavilan is the South Bay’s on-airport public option. AIM Fremont offers more frequent starts and evening classes at a much higher price, and Sacramento City College has the state’s best pass rate with evening classes. See the Bay Area comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gavilan College’s aviation program FAA-approved?
Yes. Gavilan runs an FAA Part 147 school at San Martin Airport; its graduates passed 27 of 33 FAA written tests from August 2023 to December 2024, per the FAA’s pass-rate report.
How long does it take?
Four semesters of day classes for the combined Airframe and Powerplant program.
Can I transfer to a bachelor’s degree?
Yes. San José State lists Gavilan as a feeder for its 2+2 BS in Aviation, Maintenance Management.
Related Programs
View All Aviation Mechanic Schools in California
- Antelope Valley College - Lancaster
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) - Fremont
- California Aeronautical University - Bakersfield
- Chaffey College - Rancho Cucamonga
- College of Alameda - Alameda
- Cuesta College - San Luis Obispo
- 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