Solano Community College trains aviation mechanics in a hangar at Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville, between the Bay Area and Sacramento. Its 62-unit A&P certificate is one of the least expensive in Northern California.
Verified October 2, 2026 against the college’s 2026-27 catalog, program page and fee schedule. Compare all California A&P schools.
Quick Facts
- Length: Not published (62-unit A&P certificate)
- Cost: $2,988 resident tuition + fees (A&P certificate)
- Location: Vacaville, CA (Nut Tree Airport)
- Website: Official School Web Page
Compare with other A&P schools nearby: Bay Area A&P schools.
Our Take
Solano suits North Bay and Solano County residents who want a low-cost, on-airport program. The catch is information: the college does not publish its class schedule, start terms or program length online, and its pass rate (76.5%) rests on only 17 tests. Sacramento City College, about 35 miles away, has the state’s best pass rate if evening classes work for you.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| FAA status | Part 147 certificated school (certificate DB9T080R) |
| Full A&P credential | Combined Airframe and Powerplant Certificate of Achievement, 62 units (AS also available) |
| Other credentials | Airframe or Powerplant certificates (41 units each), with matching AS degrees |
| Length and schedule | Not published online |
| Tuition + fees | $2,988 for California residents; $29,028 nonresident (estimated over four semesters) |
| FAA pass rate | 76.5% (13 of 17 written tests, Aug 2023–Dec 2024) |
| Campus | Nut Tree Airport hangar, 275 County Airport Rd, Vacaville, CA |
| Verified | October 2, 2026 |
Programs and Costs
Solano’s aeronautics program offers single-rating and combined A&P credentials. Major courses require a grade of C or better.
| Program | Units | FAA exams covered |
|---|---|---|
| Combined Airframe and Powerplant certificate | 62 | General, Airframe, Powerplant |
| Combined A&P AS | 62 major + general education | General, Airframe, Powerplant |
| Airframe or Powerplant certificate | 41 | General plus one rating |
| Airframe or Powerplant AS | 41 major + general education | General plus one rating |
Totals assume four semesters, which Solano does not state: $46 per unit plus health, representation, transportation and student center fees.
What You Will Actually Pay
California residents pay 62 × $46 = $2,852 in enrollment fees plus about $136 in campus fees, about $2,988. Nonresidents pay $409 per unit from Fall 2026 plus capital outlay and enrollment fees, about $29,028. Tools, course fees and FAA testing are not published and are extra.
Facilities
The program trains in a hangar at Nut Tree Airport with a variety of aircraft and tools, according to the college. The main campus is at 4000 Suisun Valley Rd in Fairfield.
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% |
Solano is the lowest-cost option for North Bay residents. Compare Sacramento City College for evening classes and the best pass rate in the state, or Gavilan for a published day schedule. See the Bay Area comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solano College’s aviation program FAA-approved?
Yes. The catalog lists FAA Part 147 approval; graduates passed 13 of 17 FAA written tests from August 2023 to December 2024, per the FAA’s pass-rate report.
How much does it cost?
About $2,988 for California residents and $29,028 for nonresidents, before tools, course fees and FAA testing.
When do classes meet?
Solano does not publish its aviation schedule online. Contact the aeronautics department.
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
- 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
- Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology - Inglewood & Riverside
- Universal Technical Institute - Long Beach
- Victor Valley College - Victorville
- West Los Angeles College - Culver City