Antelope Valley College offers comprehensive Aeronautical and Aviation Technology programs certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Part 147 training facility, making it one of the few community colleges in the United States offering composites fabrication and repair. AVC is also one of only fifteen California community colleges offering four-year bachelor’s degrees, including an innovative Airframe Manufacturing Technology program that has produced 2,000 graduates in four years with a remarkable 94% job placement rate.
Quick Facts
- Length: 12 Months to 24 Months
- Cost: $1,400 to $3,000
- Location: Lancaster, CA
- Website: https://www.avc.edu/program/aeronautical-aviation-technology-aero
Aviation Maintenance Technology Programs
The college operates multiple pathways for aviation maintenance careers, including both associate degrees and certificates designed to prepare students for FAA Airframe and Powerplant license exams.
| Program | Duration | Resident Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Airframe Associate Degree | 24 months | $2,760 |
| Aircraft Airframe Certificate | 12 months | $1,380 |
| Aircraft Powerplant Associate Degree | 24 months | $2,760 |
| Aircraft Powerplant Certificate | 12 months | $1,380 |
| General Aircraft Maintenance Associate Degree | 30 months | ≈$1,035 + gen ed costs |
| Airframe Manufacturing Technology Bachelor’s Degree | Variable | $130 per unit |
Aircraft Airframe Associate Degree
The Aircraft Airframe AS degree provides comprehensive training for students seeking enhanced employability and promotional opportunities into supervisory and management positions in aviation maintenance.
Curriculum
- AERO230 – Aircraft Airframe I
- AERO231 – Aircraft Airframe II
The program covers sheet metal structures, wood structures, dope and fabric, aircraft airframe inspection, assembly and rigging, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, aircraft electrical systems, cabin atmosphere controls, fuel systems, ice and rain systems, fire protection systems, instrument systems, position and warning systems, landing gear systems, and navigation and communication systems, plus general education requirements.
Cost and Duration
60 total units completed over 24 months (4 terms), costing approximately $2,760 for California residents or $23,820 for non-residents (including general education coursework).
Aircraft Airframe Certificate
The standalone Aircraft Airframe Certificate meets FAA requirements and provides in-depth understanding and hands-on experience with aircraft airframe structures.
Curriculum
- AERO230 – Aircraft Airframe I
- AERO231 – Aircraft Airframe II
Focuses exclusively on airframe-specific coursework including sheet metal structures, wood structures, dope and fabric, aircraft inspection, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, electrical systems, fuel systems, and landing gear systems.
Cost and Duration
30 units over 12 months (2 terms), costing $1,380 for California residents or $11,910 for non-residents.
Aircraft Powerplant Associate Degree
The Aircraft Powerplant AS degree enhances employability in aviation maintenance with promotional opportunities into supervisory and management positions.
Curriculum
- AERO240 – Aircraft Powerplant I
- AERO241 – Aircraft Powerplant II
Covers reciprocating engines, turbines, lubrication systems, engine fuel systems, fuel metering systems, induction systems, ignition systems, engine electrical systems, engine cooling systems, engine exhaust systems, engine instrument systems, engine fire protection systems, and propellers, plus general education requirements.
Cost and Duration
60 total units over 24 months (4 terms), costing approximately $2,760 for California residents or $23,820 for non-residents.
Aircraft Powerplant Certificate
The Aircraft Powerplant Certificate provides in-depth understanding and hands-on experience in powerplant operation.
Curriculum
- AERO240 – Aircraft Powerplant I
- AERO241 – Aircraft Powerplant II
Intensive training in reciprocating engines, turbines, lubrication systems, fuel systems, ignition systems, engine electrical systems, cooling systems, exhaust systems, instrument systems, fire protection systems, and propellers.
Cost and Duration
30 units over 12 months (2 terms), costing $1,380 for California residents or $11,910 for non-residents.
General Aircraft Maintenance Associate Degree
The General Aircraft Maintenance AS degree provides foundational knowledge for aviation maintenance careers with enhanced promotional opportunities.
Curriculum
Covers basic electricity, basic physics, math, fluid lines and fittings, materials and processes, cleaning and corrosion control, maintenance publications, mechanics privileges and limitations, maintenance forms and records, weight and balance, ground handling, and aircraft drawings, with specialized electives in composites fabrication, avionics, and aerospace ethics.
Cost and Duration
60 units over 30 months (5 terms), with core aviation costs of $1,035 for residents or $5,955 for non-residents, plus additional general education and elective costs.
Facilities
AVC operates state-of-the-art facilities including a 10,000-square-foot hangar at Fox Field that officially opened in February 2021, making it the only community college in California to offer this type of hands-on learning environment. The facility includes composite labs, computer labs, and classroom space where students work on actual aircraft engines and components.
Additionally, the college houses a historic Douglas D-558-II Skyrocket that served as a proud symbol of aerospace heritage for 61 years before being moved for restoration in 2024.
Industry Partnerships and Employment Outcomes
AVC maintains exceptional industry connections, with companies like Northrop Grumman actively recruiting students and offering guaranteed job interviews after just one semester for Aircraft Fabrication & Assembly students.
As featured in PBS’s Inside California Education, graduates regularly secure positions with major aerospace companies including Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic, often earning $27-28 per hour starting wages.
The programs have achieved remarkable success with virtually every graduate finding employment in their field of study while experiencing nearly doubled wages, earning the Aircraft Fabrication & Assembly track a 2018 Strong Workforce Program Gold Star award.
Bachelor’s Degree Innovation
AVC’s Airframe Manufacturing Technology Bachelor of Science degree represents a groundbreaking collaboration with local aerospace industry partners to address critical workforce needs. This program, part of the California Community Colleges Baccalaureate Pilot Program, specifically targets manufacturing and production line engineering careers, with upper-division coursework priced at $130 per unit ($46 enrollment + $84 upper division fee) for residents or $527 per unit for non-residents. The success of this innovative program demonstrates AVC’s commitment to meeting evolving industry demands in the heart of California’s aerospace corridor.
Related Programs
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- California Aeronautical University - Bakersfield
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- Cuesta College - San Luis Obispo
- Mt San Antonio College - Walnut
- Orange Coast College - Costa Mesa
- Reedley College - Reedley
- Sacramento City College - Sacramento
- San Diego Miramar College - San Diego