Saint Francis University is the the oldest Catholic-Franciscan college in the United States. The Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Certificate Program is a full-time, 21-month training pathway designed to prepare students for FAA certification in General, Airframe, and Powerplant systems. Delivered at the university’s advanced Aviation Education Center in Johnstown, the program blends classroom instruction with hands-on technical training across five semesters.
Quick Facts
- Length: 21 Months
- Cost: $54,000
- Location: Loretto, PA
- Website: https://www.francis.edu/academics/degrees-programs/amt
Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Certificate Program
The Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Certificate Program at Saint Francis University is a comprehensive 21-month technical training program designed to prepare students for careers in the aviation industry and beyond. The program spans five semesters with 55 total credits, combining lectures and hands-on laboratory work delivered at the university’s state-of-the-art Aviation Education Center located at the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport.
Students attend classes Monday through Friday in this intensive, full-time program that prepares them to test for their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) General, Airframe, and Powerplant (A&P) certificate license.
Curriculum Structure
Coursework includes the following:
- AVMT 101 – General Group I: Mathematics / Physics for Aviation
Covers aviation math and physics including ratios, torque, wing area, and fuel volume calculations, plus principles of motion, energy, and aerodynamics. - AVMT 102 – General Group II: Aircraft Drawings / Weight and Balance
Teaches interpretation of aircraft drawings and weight and balance calculations, including center of gravity, jacking, and ballast procedures. - AVMT 103 – General Group III: Cleaning and Corrosion Control / Aircraft Materials, Hardware and Processes / Fluid Lines and Fittings
Covers corrosion control, material handling, hardware use, welding, and safe fabrication of aircraft fluid systems. - AVMT 104 – General Group IV: Fundamentals of Electricity and Electronics / Human Factors / Ground Operations and Servicing
Introduces electrical systems, human factors in safety, and ground operations such as fueling, towing, and servicing procedures. - AVMT 105 – General Group V: Regulations, Maintenance Forms, Records and Publications / Inspection Concepts and Techniques
Explains FAA maintenance regulations, documentation standards, and inspection techniques including nondestructive testing. - AVMT 201 – Airframe Group I: Landing Gear Systems / Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems
Focuses on landing gear systems and maintenance of aircraft hydraulic and pneumatic systems. - AVMT 202 – Airframe Group II: Aircraft Fuel Systems / Airframe Inspections
Covers aircraft fuel system components, maintenance safety, and procedures for airframe inspections and documentation. - AVMT 203 – Airframe Group III: Non-Metallic Structure
Teaches wood, fabric, and composite structure maintenance, including repairs and inspections of non-metallic materials. - AVMT 204 – Airframe Group IV: Flight Controls
Covers rigging, adjusting, and inspecting flight control systems, emphasizing proper balance and control surface movement. - AVMT 205 – Airframe Group V: Aircraft Electrical Systems / Communication/Navigation Systems
Covers aircraft power distribution, wiring, and communication/navigation systems maintenance. - AVMT 206 – Airframe Group VI: Aircraft Instrument Systems / Environmental Systems
Focuses on instruments and environmental systems, including pressurization, oxygen, and air conditioning servicing. - AVMT 207 – Airframe Group VII: Metallic Structures
Covers metallic structure repair techniques like riveting and welding, with safety protocols for shop equipment. - AVMT 208 – Airframe Group VIII: Water and Waste Systems / Ice and Rain Control Systems / Rotorcraft Fundamentals / Airframe Fire Protection Systems
Includes servicing of water, waste, and ice protection systems, rotorcraft basics, and aircraft fire protection maintenance. - AVMT 251 – Powerplant Group I: Turbine Engines
Introduces turbine engine operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and key performance systems. - AVMT 252 – Powerplant Group II: Engine Exhaust and Reverser Systems
Covers inspection and servicing of exhaust systems and thrust reversers for turbine and piston engines. - AVMT 253 – Powerplant Group III: Engine Inspection / Propellers
Teaches engine inspection methods and propeller maintenance including tracking, balancing, and installation. - AVMT 254 – Powerplant Group IV: Engine Electrical Systems / Ignition and Starting Systems
Covers engine electrical generation, ignition systems, and starting procedures with troubleshooting focus. - AVMT 255 – Powerplant Group V: Reciprocating Engines
Explores reciprocating engine theory, components, and maintenance practices for safe ground operations. - AVMT 256 – Powerplant Group VI: Engine Fuel and Fuel Metering Systems / Lubrication Systems
Focuses on fuel metering, injection, and lubrication systems for both reciprocating and turbine engines. - AVMT 257 – Powerplant Group VII: Reciprocating Engine Induction and Cooling Systems / Turbine Engine Air Systems
Covers induction and cooling systems for piston engines and air systems for turbines, including inspections and repairs. - AVMT 258 – Powerplant Group VIII: Engine Fire Protection Systems / Engine Instrument Systems
Covers fire detection and suppression systems, engine instrumentation, and calibration for operational monitoring.
More curriculum details here: https://catalog.francis.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=17&poid=7805&returnto=763
Tuition and Program Costs
Based on the 2025-26 tuition schedule, the total program cost is $53,420.
Cost Breakdown
Base Tuition
- Per credit hour: $725
- Total credits: 55
- Total base tuition: $39,875
One-Time Equipment Fees (optional, paid in Semester 1)
- Toolkit: $5,945
- Laptop: $1,475
- Uniforms: $225
- Total one-time fees: $7,645
Semester Tuition and Fees
- Semester 1: $16,440
- Semesters 2–5: $9,245 × 4 = $36,980
- Total program tuition (Semesters 1–5): $53,420
Per-Semester Fees
- Tech, lab, books, and exam fees: $820 × 5 = $4,100
DME Fees (not billed to student accounts)
- Semester 3: $1,200
- Semester 5: $600
- Total DME fees: $1,800
Estimated Total Program Cost
- Base tuition: $39,875
- Optional one-time fees: $7,645
- Semester fees: $4,100
- Total (excluding DME): $53,620
Accreditation
Saint Francis University’s AMT program holds Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification as a Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School, making it the only such certified program in Cambria County. The program also meets standards set by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Facilities
The university operates its Aviation Education Center at the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, featuring brand-new hangar facilities with fully equipped maintenance labs, classrooms, and access to a functional CRJ200 regional airliner donated by SkyWest Airlines.
The program was launched with a $1 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER Initiative and operates through partnerships with industry leaders including SkyWest Airlines, Lockheed Martin Aeroparts, Nulton Aviation Services, and the Johnstown-Cambria County Airport Authority.
Additional Program Features
Students can leverage their AMT certificate credits toward an Associate of Applied Science in Specialized Studies degree by completing just four additional online courses, or pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership. The program offers rolling admission with start dates in fall, spring, and summer semesters, and qualified students may test out of general courses to save time and money.
Industry Partnerships
Saint Francis University maintains an Elite Partnership with SkyWest Airlines, providing graduates access to the AMT Pathway Program with benefits including mentoring, enhanced company seniority, and guaranteed job interviews. The program addresses a critical workforce shortage, with the U.S. Department of Labor projecting a need for 132,000 new aviation maintenance technicians by 2040.