Orange Coast College trains aviation mechanics at its Costa Mesa campus and is the only Orange County community college with an FAA Part 147 program. Beyond the A&P it offers avionics and helicopter maintenance training.
Verified October 3, 2026 against OCC’s 2026-27 catalog and fee schedule. Compare all California A&P schools.
Quick Facts
- Length: About 2 years (A&P certificate, 63 units)
- Cost: $3,033 CA residents (63 units, 2026-27)
- Location: Costa Mesa, CA
- Website: Official School Web Page
Compare with other A&P schools nearby: Los Angeles-area A&P schools.
Our Take
OCC suits Orange County students who want an A&P without an application lottery: enrollment is open and courses run in sequence. It costs about $3,033 for residents, and the avionics and helicopter options are rare among California colleges. OCC does not publish class times or tool costs online, so ask the department.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| FAA status | Part 147 certificated school (certificate DP9T094R) |
| Full A&P credential | Airframe & Powerplant Certificate of Achievement, 63 units (17 General + Airframe + Powerplant) |
| Other credentials | A&P AS (84 units); Airframe (40.5) and Powerplant (42) certificates; avionics certificate; helicopter certificate |
| Length | About 2 years (six terms) |
| Admission | Open enrollment; sequenced courses |
| Cost (2026-27) | About $3,033 for CA residents; about $31,761 nonresident |
| FAA pass rate | 88.6% (31 of 35 written tests, Aug 2023–Dec 2024) |
| Campus | 2701 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 |
| Verified | October 3, 2026 |
Programs and Costs
OCC’s 2026-27 catalog lists the full A&P certificate and single-rating options.
| Program | Units | FAA exams covered |
|---|---|---|
| A&P Certificate of Achievement | 63 | General, Airframe, Powerplant |
| A&P AS | 84 | General, Airframe, Powerplant |
| Airframe certificate | 40.5 | General, Airframe |
| Powerplant certificate | 42 | General, Powerplant |
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 63-unit certificate is $2,898 in enrollment fees, about $3,033 with campus fees. Nonresidents pay about $502 per unit including fees, about $31,761. Tools, books and FAA tests are extra.
How It Compares in Southern California
| School | Full A&P path | Length | Cost | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Coast College (Costa Mesa) | Certificate (63 units) | About 2 years | $3,033 | 88.6% |
| Mt. San Antonio College (Walnut) | AS (63.5–67.5 units) | 21–24 months | $3,129 | 94.4% |
| West Los Angeles College (Culver City) | AS or certificates | Not published | $46 per unit | 90.8% |
| North Valley Occupational Center (Van Nuys) | 2,340 hours | About 2 years | Tuition-free | 97.5% |
| San Diego Miramar College | A&P (78 units) | 5 semesters | $3,713 | 89.5% |
| UTI (Long Beach) | AOS (1,950 hours) | 78 weeks | $53,595 | Not yet in FAA data |
| Spartan College (Inglewood) | Diploma (93 credits) | 18 months | $57,096 | 85.4% |
OCC is Orange County’s only public A&P program. See all California A&P schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Orange Coast College’s aviation program FAA-approved?
Yes. It operates FAA Part 147 school DP9T094R; graduates passed 31 of 35 FAA written tests from August 2023 to December 2024, per the FAA’s pass-rate report.
Is there a waitlist or application?
No separate application. Enrollment is open, and courses are taken in sequence.
Does OCC teach avionics or helicopters?
Yes. It offers an avionics certificate and helicopter maintenance training alongside the A&P.
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
- 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