Augusta Technical College trains aviation mechanics at its Aviation Technology Training Center on the grounds of Thomson-McDuffie Regional Airport, about 35 miles west of Augusta. It posts one of the best FAA pass rates in Georgia.
Verified October 2, 2026 against the college’s 2026-27 catalog, aviation page and tool list. Compare all Georgia A&P schools.
Quick Facts
- Length: 6 semesters, about 24 months (A&P certificate)
- Cost: $11,883 in-state tuition + fees (A&P certificate)
- Location: Thomson, GA (Thomson-McDuffie Regional Airport)
- Website: Official School Web Page
Our Take
Augusta Tech suits east Georgia and Aiken-area residents who want a low-cost, day-only program with an excellent track record: graduates passed 27 of 29 FAA written tests. Residents of the South Carolina border counties pay in-state tuition. Plan on buying a large tool kit (100-plus tools in a regulation toolbox) before your first General course, and note that the full A&P certificate starts only in fall.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| FAA status | Part 147 certificated school (certificate AU8T098K) |
| Full A&P credential | Aviation Maintenance Technician certificate (AM24), 81 credits |
| Other credentials | AAS (99 credits) and diploma (89 credits), seven semesters with summer entry; Airframe and Powerplant certificates |
| Length | Six semesters, about 24 months, day only |
| Starts | Fall (certificate); summer (AAS and diploma) |
| Tuition + fees | About $11,883 in-state before aid ($107 per credit + $536 per semester) |
| FAA pass rate | 93.1% (27 of 29 written tests, Aug 2023–Dec 2024) |
| Campus | Aviation Technology Training Center, 476 John T Lane Rd, Thomson, GA 30824 |
| Verified | October 2, 2026 |
Programs and Costs
All of Augusta Tech’s aviation programs share the same occupational courses; the AAS and diploma add general education. See the 2026-27 catalog.
| Program | Credits | Length | FAA exams covered | Tuition + fees (in-state) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aviation Maintenance Technician certificate (AM24) | 81 | 6 semesters | General, Airframe, Powerplant | $11,883 |
| Aviation Maintenance Technology diploma | 89 | 7 semesters | General, Airframe, Powerplant | $13,275 |
| Aviation Maintenance Technology AAS | 99 | 7 semesters | General, Airframe, Powerplant | $14,345 |
| Airframe certificate | 54 (catalog header says 50) | 4 semesters | General, Airframe | About $7,500–$8,000 |
| Powerplant certificate | 48 (catalog header says 50) | 4 semesters | General, Powerplant | About $7,300 |
Totals use $107 per credit (before the 15-credit-per-term cap, which can lower them) and $536 per semester in fees. The catalog prints 50 credits for both single-rating certificates, but their course lists add up to 54 and 48.
What You Will Actually Pay
Tuition is $107 per credit for Georgia residents and for residents of the South Carolina border counties, and $214 for other out-of-state students. Over six semesters the certificate comes to about $8,667 in tuition and $3,216 in fees. Georgia residents in TCSG certificate and diploma programs can have tuition covered by the HOPE Grant, so most pay only fees, tools and books. The certificate and diploma are on the HOPE Career Grant list; the AAS is not.
Augusta Tech publishes a required tool list of about 100 tools, due at the start of the first Applied Sciences course and kept in a shadowed toolbox; the college does not price it. FAA testing (about $1,500–$2,200) is extra, though the airport terminal houses a testing center.
Curriculum
The 81-credit Aviation Maintenance Technician certificate (AM24) is the statewide TCSG curriculum: a 21-credit General block (aviation math, regulations, applied sciences, electricity and electronics, physics), a 33-credit Airframe block (sheet metal, non-metallic structures, assembly and rigging, inspection, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, landing gear, environmental, fuel and instrument, electrical and communication and navigation systems) and a 27-credit Powerplant block (reciprocating and gas turbine engines, inspection, fuel metering, instruments and fire protection, ignition and starting, accessory systems and propellers).
Facilities
The roughly 16,000-square-foot training center has two classrooms, six labs and four complete aircraft, according to the college’s aviation page.
How to Apply
- Apply to Augusta Tech and submit a high school diploma or equivalency.
- Meet the minimum reading, language and math placement scores.
- Complete orientation; seats are limited and placement depends on available seating.
- For the Airframe certificate, complete an interview and assessment with program faculty.
How It Compares in Georgia
| School | Full A&P path | Length | Cost | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta Technical College (Thomson) | 81 credits | 6 semesters | $11,883 | 93.1% |
| South Georgia Technical College (Americus) | 81 credits | About 6 terms | $11,163 | 97.1% |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College (Rome) | 81 credits | 6 terms | $12,003 + tools | 92.3% |
| Savannah Technical College | 81 credits | 6 terms minimum | $11,223 | 80.6% |
| Middle Georgia State University (Eastman) | 64 credits | 5 terms (about 20 months) | $12,793 | 89.6% |
| Central Georgia Technical College (Macon) | AM24 certificate | Not published | $107 per credit + $450 per semester | 83.7% |
Augusta Tech’s pass rate trails only South Georgia Tech among Georgia programs. See all Georgia A&P schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Augusta Tech’s aviation program FAA-approved?
Yes. It operates FAA Part 147 school AU8T098K; graduates passed 27 of 29 FAA written tests from August 2023 to December 2024, per the FAA’s pass-rate report.
How long does the A&P certificate take?
Six semesters, about 24 months, starting in the fall.
Can South Carolina residents pay in-state tuition?
Residents of the South Carolina counties bordering Augusta Tech’s service area pay the in-state rate of $107 per credit.
Does HOPE cover the program?
The HOPE Grant covers tuition for eligible Georgia residents in the certificate and diploma programs, not the AAS.
Related Programs
View All Aviation Mechanic Schools in Georgia
- Atlanta Technical College - Atlanta
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) - Atlanta
- Central Georgia Technical College - Macon
- Chattahoochee Technical College - Dallas
- Georgia Northwestern Technical College - Rome
- Middle Georgia State University - Eastman
- Savannah Technical College - Savannah
- South Georgia Technical College - Americus
- U.S. Aviation Academy - Atlanta
- Universal Technical Institute - Atlanta (Smyrna)