Blue Ridge Community College trains aviation mechanics in a hangar classroom at Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport in Weyers Cave. Its graduates posted the best FAA pass rate in Virginia, and in 2026 the program doubled its fall class to about 50 students.
Verified October 4, 2026 against Blue Ridge’s 2026-27 catalog, tuition chart, program and admissions pages. Compare all Virginia A&P schools.
Quick Facts
- Length: 4 semesters (AAS); 3 semesters per certificate
- Cost: $13,586 in-state (68-credit AAS, 2026-27); G3 eligible
- Location: Weyers Cave, VA (Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport)
- Website: Official School Web Page
Compare with other A&P schools nearby: Northern Virginia and DC A&P schools.
Our Take
Blue Ridge is the strongest value in Virginia: about $13,586 for the AAS for residents, G3 grants that can cover tuition, and a 98.5% FAA pass rate. Its distance-learning track lets students do about half the work online and commute for labs, which helps students from Northern Virginia or farther away. The catch is timing: one cohort starts each fall, and applications for Fall 2027 are already open.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| FAA status | Part 147 certificated school (certificate B12T578K) |
| Full A&P credential | AAS in Aviation Maintenance Technology, 68 credits |
| Other credentials | Airframe Maintenance certificate (42 credits) and Powerplant Maintenance certificate (40); both together 58 credits |
| Length | 4 semesters on campus (catalog lists 5 for the distance track) |
| Format | On campus, or about half online with in-person labs and inspection capstones |
| Starts | Fall cohort only; applications open for Fall 2027 |
| Cost (2026-27) | $199.80 per credit in-state, $416.90 out-of-state; AAS about $13,586 in-state |
| Aid | Virginia G3 (AAS and Airframe certificate), federal aid; military and veterans pay in-state rates |
| FAA pass rate | 98.5% (65 of 66 written tests, Aug 2023–Dec 2024) |
| Campus | 43 Aviation Circle, Weyers Cave, VA 24486 |
| Verified | October 4, 2026 |
Programs and Costs
Blue Ridge’s 2026-27 catalog starts every student with an 18-credit General semester, then Airframe and Powerplant. Students choose the AAS or one or both certificates.
| Program | Credits | In-state cost | FAA exams covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAS Aviation Maintenance Technology | 68 | $13,586 | General, Airframe, Powerplant |
| Airframe + Powerplant certificates | 58 | $11,588 | General, Airframe, Powerplant |
| Airframe Maintenance certificate | 42 | $8,392 | General, Airframe |
| Powerplant Maintenance certificate | 40 | $7,992 | General, Powerplant |
Costs use $199.80 per credit (tuition plus fees). Credits include a math prerequisite and English.
What You Will Actually Pay
Blue Ridge’s 2026-27 rate chart lists $175 per credit in tuition plus $24.80 in fees for Virginia residents ($199.80) and $416.90 for out-of-state students; active-duty military, veterans and dependents pay the in-state rate. Virginia’s G3 program covers tuition and fees left after other grants for residents with household incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level, for the AAS and the Airframe certificate. Blue Ridge does not publish a tool cost.
Admission
Seats are limited. Applicants must place into college English, complete MTH 111 or higher, submit the AMT application, and pass a drug screen and the airport’s security screening, per the admissions page. Virginia added $500,000 over two years in its 2026 budget to expand the program.
How It Compares in Virginia and DC
| School | Full A&P path | Length | Cost | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Community College (Weyers Cave) | AAS (68 credits) | 4 semesters | $13,586 | 98.5% |
| Liberty University (Lynchburg) | AMT certificate (50 credits) | Under 12 months | About $45,000 | 88.1% |
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance (Manassas) | AMT certificate (78 credits) | 21 months | $52,077 (2023-24) | 80.6% |
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance (Norfolk) | AMT certificate (78 credits) | 21 months | $52,077 (2023-24) | 90.1% |
| Danville Community College | AAS or certificates | 3 semesters per certificate | Community college rates | New (2026) |
| University of the District of Columbia | AAS (70 credits) | 4 semesters | $9,910 DC; $15,510 metro (2023 rates) | 73.3% |
Blue Ridge posts the best pass rate and the lowest public cost in Virginia. See all Virginia A&P schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Ridge Community College’s aviation program FAA-approved?
Yes. It operates FAA Part 147 school B12T578K; graduates passed 65 of 66 FAA written tests from August 2023 to December 2024, per the FAA’s pass-rate report.
Can I take the program online?
About half of it. The distance-learning track puts lectures online, but labs and the inspection capstones are in person in Weyers Cave.
Is the program covered by G3?
Yes. The AAS and the Airframe certificate are G3-eligible for Virginia residents who meet the income limit and file the FAFSA.
Related Programs
View All Aviation Mechanic Schools in Virginia
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) - Norfolk, Manassas
- Liberty University - Lynchburg
- University of the District of Columbia - Washington