Mt San Antonio College Aviation Mechanic Programs

Mt. San Antonio College operates one of the oldest aircraft maintenance technology programs in California, certified by the Federal Aviation Administration to train technicians for general aviation, corporate aircraft, and commercial aviation careers. The program offers flexible scheduling with both day and evening options, each designed to be completed in two years.

Quick Facts

Aircraft Maintenance Technology Programs Summary

ProgramDurationCost
Airframe & Aircraft Powerplant Associate Degree24 months$2,760
Aircraft Powerplant Maintenance Technology Certificate12 – 18 months$1,886
Airframe Maintenance Technology Certificate12 – 18 months$1,886

Faculty consist of experienced professionals from general aviation, rotorcraft (helicopters), commercial aviation, and corporate aircraft maintenance backgrounds. Students consistently achieve FAA certification test scores above the national average, with a recent survey showing 100% of responding graduates employed in the field.

Airframe & Aircraft Powerplant Associate Degree

This comprehensive Associate of Science degree prepares students for employment as certified airframe and powerplant technicians in the aircraft maintenance industry. The program provides training in overhaul of various airframes, powerplants, and their components, leading to dual state-awarded certificates in both Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance Technology upon completion.

Curriculum

The degree requires 66 core units plus general education coursework for a total of 60 minimum units. Core courses include:

  • AIRM 65A – Aircraft Powerplant Theory
    This 13‑unit course covers the theory and overhaul procedures for reciprocating and turbine powerplants. It provides extensive lab practice and fulfills FAA requirements for powerplant certification.
  • AIRM 65B – Aircraft Powerplant Systems
    Building on AIRM 65A, this 13‑unit course examines engine systems and components for both reciprocating and turbine powerplants. Hands‑on labs reinforce FAA‑mandated skills for powerplant certification.
  • AIRM 66A – Aircraft Airframe Maintenance Structures
    This 13‑unit course teaches structural maintenance topics—nomenclature, aerodynamics, metal and composite fabrication, riveting, rigging, and inspection—through lecture and lab. It meets FAA requirements for airframe maintenance technology majors.
  • AIRM 66B – Aircraft Airframe Maintenance Systems
    Following AIRM 66A, this 13‑unit course explores airframe systems such as hydraulics, landing gear, pneumatics, presses, instruments, fuel, fire protection, communications, navigation, autopilot, and RADAR. It is FAA‑approved for airframe certification.
  • AIRM 70A – Aircraft Maintenance Electricity and Electronics
    This 3‑unit course introduces electrical theory, series and parallel circuits, batteries, and measuring instruments with applied lab work. It is required for FAA certification and advised alongside AIRM 71.
  • AIRM 70B – Aircraft Maintenance Electricity and Electronics
    Building on AIRM 70A, this 3‑unit course focuses on alternating current principles and component circuitry. Hands‑on labs prepare students to meet FAA electrical certification standards.
  • AIRM 71 – Aviation Maintenance Science
    This 6‑unit lecture course covers FAA regulations, aircraft drawing interpretation, basic physics, technical mathematics, and weight and balance computations. It is an FAA‑approved requirement for all airframe and powerplant majors.
  • AIRM 72 – Aircraft Materials and Processes
    A 2‑unit course that introduces aviation materials, non‑destructive testing methods, basic heat‑treating, and machining techniques. Part 147 FAA approval ensures alignment with certification standards.
  • AIRM 74 – Aircraft Maintenance Technology Work Experience
    Offered pass/no pass for 2 units, this course grants credit for 120 paid or 150 unpaid supervised maintenance hours at an approved facility. Students apply classroom learning in real‑world settings.
  • AIRM 80 – Laboratory Studies in Aircraft Maintenance Technology
    This 0.5–1 unit lab course provides additional instruction for students needing FAA‑mandated training hours, module remediation, or extra lab assignments. It is graded pass/no pass.

Students train with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure workplace success.

Cost and Duration

The 24-month program costs $2,760 for California residents at $46 per unit for the total 60-unit degree requirement. Evening program options are structured in 9-week modules with equivalent coursework under different numbering systems.

Aircraft Powerplant Maintenance Technology Certificate

This certificate program focuses specifically on powerplant maintenance, preparing students for employment as certified powerplant technicians. The program provides comprehensive training in powerplant overhaul and component maintenance, serving as either a standalone credential or pathway to the full degree program.

Curriculum

The certificate requires 40 core units including:

  • AIRM 65A-65B (Aircraft Powerplant Theory and Systems)
  • AIRM 70A-70B (Aircraft Maintenance Electricity and Electronics)
  • AIRM 71 (Aviation Maintenance Science)
  • AIRM 72 (Aircraft Materials and Processes)

Students gain hands-on experience with various powerplant systems and components.

Cost and Duration

The program costs $1,886 for California residents over approximately 12-18 months depending on day or evening enrollment.

Airframe Maintenance Technology Certificate

This certificate program specializes in airframe maintenance, preparing students for employment as certified airframe technicians. The program covers comprehensive training in airframe overhaul and structural component maintenance, suitable for students seeking focused airframe expertise.

Curriculum

The certificate requires 40 core units featuring:

  • AIRM 66A-66B (Aircraft Airframe Maintenance Structures and Systems)
  • AIRM 70A-70B (Aircraft Maintenance Electricity and Electronics)
  • AIRM 71 (Aviation Maintenance Science)
  • AIRM 72 (Aircraft Materials and Processes)

Training emphasizes structural maintenance, systems integration, and component repair.

Cost and Duration

The program costs $1,886 for California residents over 12-18 months.

Admission Process and Special Features

Mt. SAC implements a competitive admission process beginning with Fall 2024, using a blended combination of orientation and mathematics examination to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in student selection. Applications for the 2026 Fall cohort will open in early April 2026, with applicants who were not admitted to Fall 2025 required to reapply.

The college maintains articulation agreements with multiple universities including Southern Illinois University (with on-campus program delivery), Cal State University Los Angeles, California Baptist University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Los Angeles Campus, San Diego Christian College, and San Jose State University for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in aviation.

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