Dallas College Aviation Mechanic Programs

Dallas College has emerged as a major player in aviation education with the launch of its innovative Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program in April 2025. According to multiple news sources, this program was developed to address the critical shortage of aviation maintenance technicians in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which hosts over 900 aerospace companies representing one-sixth of all regional employment. The college operates this hands-on training program from a state-of-the-art hangar at Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD), combined with modern classrooms at the Dallas College Workforce Center at RedBird Airport.

Quick Facts

Aviation Maintenance Training Programs Overview

ProgramDurationEstimated Cost
General Certificate4–5 months$7,168
Airframe Certificate6–7 months$9,856
Powerplant Certificate5–6 months$7,840
Complete A&P Package (General + Airframe + Powerplant)13 months$24,864

Notes: Costs use the stated Dallas College rate of ~$14 per contact hour. Figures exclude books, supplies, testing fees, and other charges. Durations are approximate.

General Certificate Program

The General Certificate program serves as the foundational component of aviation maintenance training, requiring 512 contact hours over three semesters.

Curriculum

Students begin with essential courses including Shop Practices, Weight and Balance, and Federal Aviation Regulations in the first semester, followed by Ground Operations, Basic Electricity, and Aviation Science in the second semester. The program concludes with Aviation Inspection and Human Factors training, preparing students for the FAA General Written Exam through a comprehensive capstone examination.

Coursework includes:

AERM 1003 – Shop Practices
Covers shop safety, correct use of tools and equipment, and precision measurement. Students identify aircraft hardware, fabricate fluid lines, and learn testing, heat treating, and inspection procedures for aircraft structures.

AERM 1005 – Weight and Balance
Introduces FAA requirements for weighing aircraft and performing weight-and-balance calculations. Includes proper maintenance record documentation to ensure regulatory compliance.

AERM 1008 – Federal Aviation Regulations
Focuses on understanding and applying FAA and manufacturer publications, forms, and records. Emphasizes mechanic privileges and limitations under aviation regulations.

AERM 1010 – Ground Operations
Provides instruction on aircraft fueling, servicing, and movement, as well as safety protocols. Topics include securing aircraft, using external power equipment, cleaning, and corrosion prevention.

AERM 1014 – Basic Electricity
Examines aircraft electrical systems, covering circuit theory, inductance, capacitance, and magnetism. Students practice using electrical test instruments, converting AC to DC, servicing batteries, and interpreting diagrams, with emphasis on safety.

AERM 1015 – Aviation Science
Explores mathematics, physics, and technical drawings as they relate to aircraft systems and operations. Prepares students for FAA airframe and powerplant requirements.

AERM 1070 – Aviation Inspection and Human Factors
Teaches inspection methods, use of precision tools, and non-destructive testing. Includes FAA compliance, defect detection, and human factors training in safety culture, communication, teamwork, and fatigue management.

Cost & Duration

This program spans approximately 4-5 months and costs $7,168 based on Dallas College’s rate of $14 per contact hour, making it the most affordable entry point into aviation maintenance certification.

Airframe Certificate Program

The Airframe Certificate program provides specialized training in aircraft structural systems through 704 contact hours across three semesters.

Curriculum

Students master instruments and navigation systems, airframe electrical systems, auxiliary systems, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, landing gear, sheet metal work, and aircraft composites. The curriculum includes advanced training in rotorcraft fundamentals, assembly and rigging, and comprehensive airframe inspection procedures, culminating in preparation for the FAA Airframe Rating Exam.

Courses include the following:

AERM 1043 – Instruments and Navigation/Communication
Covers aircraft instruments and electronic flight systems, including installation, testing, and troubleshooting. Students inspect and repair navigation, communication, and antenna systems to ensure operational reliability.

AERM 1045 – Airframe Electrical Systems
Focuses on installation, removal, disassembly, and repair of airframe electrical components and wiring. Emphasizes electrical safety practices throughout maintenance tasks.

AERM 1047 – Airframe Auxiliary Systems
Examines cabin environmental controls, ice and rain protection, and fire detection and suppression systems. Includes safety procedures for working with auxiliary aircraft systems.

AERM 1049 – Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and Fuel Systems
Provides training in inspection, servicing, and repair of hydraulic, pneumatic, and fuel systems. Covers components, system operation, and related safety measures.

AERM 1050 – Landing Gear Systems
Teaches inspection, servicing, and overhaul of fixed and retractable landing gear. Includes position and warning systems, safety protocols, and operational principles.

AERM 1052 – Aircraft Sheet Metal
Develops skills in sheet metal layout, forming, bending, and repair. Students learn rivet and fastener identification, selection, and installation with attention to safety.

AERM 1054 – Aircraft Composites
Covers inspection and repair of composite, fabric, core, and laminated materials. Addresses bonded structures, interior furnishings, and safe handling and storage of composites.

AERM 1071 – Rotorcraft Fundamentals and Special Systems
Explores rotorcraft aerodynamics, flight controls, transmissions, rotor systems, and blade maintenance. Also covers waste and water systems, including inspection, servicing, and safety requirements.

AERM 2033 – Assembly and Rigging
Provides instruction in structural alignment, balancing, and rigging of control systems for fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. Includes component assembly and safety considerations.

AERM 2031 – Airframe Inspection
Covers airframe conformity and airworthiness inspections, including 100-hour inspections, using FAA regulations and manufacturer service data. Emphasizes thorough documentation and safety procedures.

Cost & Duration

This program requires approximately 6-7 months to complete and costs $9,856, providing students with specialized expertise in aircraft structural maintenance and repair systems essential for airframe certification.

Powerplant Certificate Program

The Powerplant Certificate program focuses on aircraft engine systems through 560 contact hours over two semesters.

Curriculum

Students receive comprehensive training in aircraft propellers, reciprocating engines, fuel metering and induction systems, turbine engine theory, powerplant electrical systems, and powerplant inspection procedures. This intensive curriculum prepares students for the FAA Powerplant Rating Exam, emphasizing both theoretical knowledge and practical application of engine maintenance principles.

Cost & Duration

The Powerplant program spans approximately 5-6 months and costs $7,840, providing focused training in aircraft engine systems and maintenance procedures essential for powerplant certification.

Complete A&P Program Package

Students can pursue all three certificates as a comprehensive package totaling $24,864 for the complete Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification pathway.

According to Dallas College’s announcement, the complete program can be finished in just 13 months, significantly faster than traditional programs. Industry reports indicate that graduates can expect median salaries of $80,000 annually, with experienced technicians earning $70,000-$80,000 plus overtime opportunities.

Industry Demand and Career Prospects

As reported in Dallas News coverage, the Dallas-Fort Worth area employs over 6,900 aircraft mechanics with strong demand driven by an aging workforce. According to Dallas College’s A&P Advisory Committee member Richard Heitzman, the industry needs more than 400,000 mechanics in the next 10 years, with over 80% of current mechanics expected to retire within the decade. The program benefits from extensive industry partnerships, with student testimonials highlighting that most graduates receive job offers before completing their training.

Accreditation and Modern Facilities

Dallas College’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program operates under FAA Part 147 approval, ensuring that graduates meet federal certification requirements for aviation maintenance careers. The program features dual-location convenience with a fully-equipped hangar at Dallas Executive Airport and modern classrooms with cutting-edge technology at the RedBird Center.

The college offers veteran-friendly services with VA approval pending, small class sizes for personalized instruction, and strong industry connections that provide students with networking opportunities and direct pathways to employment with major airlines like American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, as well as numerous maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities throughout the region.

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