North Valley Occupational Center Aviation Mechanic Program

North Valley Occupational Center, an LAUSD adult school, runs a tuition-free Aircraft Mechanic Technician program at its Aviation Center near Van Nuys Airport. It has the best FAA pass rate in the Los Angeles area and the longest wait to get in.

Verified October 2, 2026 against LAUSD’s program page, school documents and FAA data. Compare all California A&P schools.

Quick Facts

  • Length: About 2 years, days (2,340 hours)
  • Cost: Tuition-free (supplies and books extra)
  • Location: Van Nuys, CA (near Van Nuys Airport)
  • Website: Official School Web Page

Compare with other A&P schools nearby: Los Angeles area A&P schools.

Our Take

NVOC is the best value in Southern California if you can wait: no tuition, a full-time day program and graduates who passed 39 of 40 FAA written tests. The trade-off is time. The school says there is currently a minimum two-year wait, so it works best for people who can plan ahead or who start the application while working or studying elsewhere.

At a Glance

ItemDetails
FAA statusPart 147 certificated school (certificate CZ9T078R)
Full A&P credentialAircraft Mechanic Technician (General, Airframe, Systems and Powerplant)
Length2,340 hours: eight 292.5-hour classes, about two years full time
ScheduleMonday–Friday, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.; attendance mandatory
CostTuition-free; students pay for supplies, books and materials
Waitlist“Currently a minimum of a two-year wait”
FAA pass rate97.5% (39 of 40 written tests, Aug 2023–Dec 2024)
CampusNVOC Aviation Center, 16550 Saticoy St, Van Nuys, CA 91406
VerifiedOctober 2, 2026

Programs and Costs

The Aircraft Mechanic Technician program runs on a quarter system, four classes a year. Its eight classes cover General subjects (585 hours), Airframe, aircraft systems and Powerplant.

ProgramHoursLengthFAA exams covered
Aircraft Mechanic Technician2,340About 2 years (day)General, Airframe, Powerplant

A 2022 school presentation also described a 3–4 year evening track (Monday–Thursday, 5:15–9:30 p.m.); the current program page lists only the day schedule.

What You Will Actually Pay

NVOC charges no tuition for the aviation program. Students buy school supplies, books and materials, which the school does not price online, plus FAA testing (about $1,500–$2,500 for the written, oral and practical exams). The school offers a completer scholarship.

How to Apply

  1. Sign up at North Valley Occupational Center or East Valley Skills Center.
  2. Take the reading and math assessments; you need a math score of 240 or higher, or you will be placed in prep coursework first.
  3. Join the waitlist, currently at least two years.

How It Compares in Los Angeles

SchoolFull A&P pathLengthCostFAA pass rate
West Los Angeles College (Culver City)Associate degree or certificatesNot published$46 per unit90.8%
North Valley Occupational Center (Van Nuys)2,340 hoursAbout 2 yearsTuition-free97.5%
Mt. San Antonio College (Walnut)63.5–67.5 units21–24 months$3,12994.4%
Orange Coast College (Costa Mesa)63 unitsAbout 2 years$3,03388.6%
UTI Long Beach1,950 hours78 weeks$53,595Not yet in FAA data
Spartan College (Inglewood)93 credits18 months$57,09685.4%

NVOC is the only tuition-free A&P program in Los Angeles. If you cannot wait two years, Mt. SAC, West LA College and Orange Coast College cost California residents about $3,000–$3,300. See the Los Angeles-area comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the NVOC aviation program really free?

Tuition is free. Students pay for supplies, books and materials, and for their FAA exams.

How long is the waitlist?

The school says there is currently a minimum two-year wait.

What is NVOC’s FAA pass rate?

Graduates passed 39 of 40 FAA written tests (97.5%) from August 2023 to December 2024, per the FAA’s pass-rate report.

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