Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) is a private chain of FAA Part 147 aviation maintenance schools with 15 campuses in 13 states. It began in 1994 as Tidewater Tech in Norfolk, Virginia, and is accredited by ACCSC.
Ownership update: Maverick Tech LLC is set to join AIM as a new investor on or after December 10, 2026, pending regulatory approval. AIM says programs, financial aid, student services and campus operations will not change.
Verified October 3, 2026 against AIM’s program and campus pages, 2026-27 consumer information guide, 2025 ACCSC outcome disclosures and FAA pass-rate data. Compare A&P schools by state.
Quick Facts
- Length: 21 months (AMT); 27 months (AMTE)
- Cost: $52,077 tuition + fees (AMT, 2023-24, latest AIM published)
- Location: 15 campuses in 13 states
- Website: Official School Web Page
Our Take
Public colleges near most AIM campuses cost less: often $3,000–$18,000 for the same FAA certificate, versus AIM’s latest published $52,077. What AIM offers in return is access and flexibility: frequent starts with rolling admission instead of once- or twice-a-year cohorts, day and evening classes (weekends at some campuses), 15 campuses in major metro areas, and federal aid and GI Bill benefits. Campus FAA pass rates range from 68% to 90%. If cost matters most and you can wait for a public cohort, compare the options below; if starting soon or keeping your job matters more, AIM is built for that.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Private for-profit; ACCSC accredited |
| Ownership | Maverick Tech LLC investing on or after Dec. 10, 2026 (pending approval); no program or aid changes announced |
| Campuses | 15 in 13 states (AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, IN, MO, NC, NJ, NV, PA, TX, VA) |
| Core program | Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) certificate: 78 credits, 21 months, all campuses |
| Other programs | AMT Technical Engineer (27 months, Atlanta and Orlando); AOS degree (Atlanta); AAS degree (Indianapolis); Pre-Approved Maintenance Course for experienced mechanics |
| Schedule | Day and evening at most campuses; weekend options at Irving, Kansas City and Las Vegas |
| Cost | AMT $52,077 tuition and fees + $1,050 books and tools (2023-24 sheet, latest AIM published) |
| Aid | Federal aid at every campus; GI Bill and military tuition assistance; Yellow Ribbon at Atlanta and Indianapolis |
| FAA pass rates | 68.3%–90.1% by campus (Aug 2023–Dec 2024) |
| Outcomes | AMT graduation 51%–78% and employment 50%–88% by campus (2021-22 starts) |
| Verified | October 3, 2026 |
Campuses
Every campus offers the AMT certificate. Pass rates are combined FAA written-test results; graduation and employment rates are for AMT students who started in 2021-22, from AIM’s 2025 outcome disclosures. Campus names link to our guide for that area.
| Campus | Location | Programs | FAA pass rate | Graduation / employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Metro | Duluth, GA | AMT, AOS, AMTE | 77.4%* | 53% / 70% |
| Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | AMT | 80.3%* | 58% / 71% |
| Chicago | Chicago, IL (McKinley Park) | AMT | 76.6% | 64% / 50% |
| Dallas Metro | Irving, TX | AMT | 76.3%* | 52% / 70% |
| Fremont | Fremont, CA | AMT | 76.2% | 63% / 72% |
| Hasbrouck Heights | Hasbrouck Heights, NJ (near Teterboro) | AMT | 70.4% | 72% / 72% |
| Houston | Houston, TX (near Hobby Airport) | AMT | 89.3%* | 74% / 75% |
| Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | AMT, AAS | 87.2% | 56% / 81% |
| Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | AMT | 80.4%* | 56% / 60% |
| Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV | AMT | 79.6%* | 78% / 75% |
| Norfolk | Norfolk, VA | AMT | 90.1%** | 55% / 88% |
| Northern Virginia | Manassas, VA | AMT | 80.6%* | 57% / 60% |
| Orlando Metro | Casselberry, FL | AMT, AMTE | 68.3% | 68% / 77% |
| Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA (Northeast Philadelphia Airport) | AMT | 73.4%* | 51% / 76% |
| Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ (near Sky Harbor) | AMT | Too new | Too new (opened 2024) |
*Several AIM campuses file with the FAA under related company names (Technical Education Services, American Trans Air Training Corp); we matched these certificates to campuses by FAA district office. **Norfolk’s match is unconfirmed. Atlanta’s graduation and employment figures are for the AMT certificate; its AOS cohort reported 63% and 75%.
Programs
AIM’s AMT program covers General, Airframe and Powerplant and prepares students for all FAA mechanic exams. Some campuses also teach electrical, welding or manufacturing programs that do not lead to an A&P.
| Program | Credits | Length | Campuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) certificate | 78 | 21 months | All 15 |
| AMT Technical Engineer (AMTE) | 100.5 | 27 months | Atlanta, Orlando |
| Associate of Occupational Studies | — | — | Atlanta |
| AAS in Aviation Maintenance Technology | 93 | 21 months | Indianapolis |
| Pre-Approved Maintenance Course (PAMC) | 4 | 2 months | 10 campuses; for mechanics who already qualify to test through experience |
AMTE adds avionics and prepares students for the Aircraft Electronics Technician certification. PAMC is outside ACCSC’s scope of accreditation.
What You Will Actually Pay
AIM has not posted a tuition sheet newer than 2023-24: AMT tuition $47,410 ($620 per credit) plus $4,667 in fees, $52,077 in all, or $53,127 with books and tools. AMTE was $66,202. Arizona’s training-provider listing for Phoenix, updated January 2026, still shows $47,410 tuition. Ask the campus for its current enrollment agreement.
Every campus participates in federal student aid, and AIM accepts the Post-9/11 GI Bill and military tuition assistance. FAA test fees are extra.
Why Students Choose AIM
- Start soon: new classes about every five weeks at campuses such as Atlanta and Phoenix, versus fall or spring starts (and sometimes waitlists) at most public colleges.
- Keep your job: day and evening classes at most campuses, and weekend options at Irving, Kansas City and Las Vegas.
- Hands-on facilities: campuses run their own hangars and training aircraft; Philadelphia sits on Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
- Paying for it: federal financial aid at every campus, the Post-9/11 GI Bill and military tuition assistance, plus Yellow Ribbon at Atlanta and Indianapolis.
- Degree options: an associate degree at Atlanta (AOS) and Indianapolis (AAS), and avionics training in the 27-month AMTE program at Atlanta and Orlando.
Outcomes
AIM’s 2025 ACCSC disclosures show AMT graduation rates from 51% (Philadelphia) to 78% (Las Vegas) and employment rates from 50% (Chicago) to 88% (Norfolk) for students who started in 2021-22. AMTE cohorts at Irving and Manassas graduated only 32% and 36%, and AIM has since dropped AMTE at those campuses.
AIM vs. Nearby Public Programs
Public colleges cost less but usually start once or twice a year, and some have waitlists. These are verified 2026-27 public options near AIM campuses, so you can weigh price against timing and schedule.
| Campus | Nearby public option | Cost (residents) | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Metro | Atlanta Technical College | $13,356 (both certificates), HOPE eligible | 81.8% |
| Chicago | Rock Valley College (Rockford) | About $12,856 | 95.0% |
| Chicago | City Colleges of Chicago (taught at AIM) | $18,572 | Tests under AIM |
| Dallas Metro | Tarrant County College (Fort Worth) | About $5,476 | 88.4% |
| Fremont | Gavilan College (San Martin) | $3,348 | 81.8% |
| Orlando Metro | Eastern Florida State College (Melbourne) | $17,996 incl. tools | 98.7% |
| Phoenix | Chandler-Gilbert Community College (Mesa) | $8,223 | 91.6% |
Pass rates are for August 2023–December 2024. AIM campus rates are in the campus table above.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does AIM cost?
AIM’s latest published price for the 21-month AMT certificate is $52,077 in tuition and fees (2023-24), or $53,127 with books and tools. Confirm the current price with your campus.
Is AIM accredited and FAA-approved?
Yes. AIM is accredited by ACCSC, and each campus operates an FAA Part 147 school. Campus pass rates ranged from 68.3% to 90.1% from August 2023 to December 2024, per the FAA pass-rate report.
Which AIM campuses offer degrees?
Atlanta Metro offers an Associate of Occupational Studies, and Indianapolis offers an Associate of Applied Science. Other campuses offer certificates.
Can I use the GI Bill at AIM?
Yes. AIM accepts the Post-9/11 GI Bill and military tuition assistance; Atlanta and Indianapolis also take part in Yellow Ribbon.
Does AIM have evening classes?
Yes. Most campuses run day and evening AMT classes, and Irving, Kansas City and Las Vegas list weekend options.
Compare Schools in Each State
See every A&P school, public and private, in AIM’s states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia.