Pensacola State College launched its aviation maintenance program in August 2024 inside ST Engineering’s Hangar 1 at Pensacola International Airport, next to one of the largest aircraft maintenance operations on the Gulf Coast.
Verified October 3, 2026 against Pensacola State’s program pages and in-state rate table. Compare all Florida A&P schools.
Quick Facts
- Length: 18 months (Airframe + Powerplant)
- Cost: About $6,435 resident tuition (2,250 hours) + fees
- Location: Pensacola, FL (ST Engineering hangar, Pensacola International Airport)
- Website: Official School Web Page
Our Take
Pensacola State is a low-cost public program with an unusually direct employer link: students train in ST Engineering’s hangar, and the company funds scholarships. It is new, so it has no FAA pass-rate history yet, and fees beyond tuition are not clearly published. George Stone Technical College in Pensacola is the established alternative.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| FAA status | Part 147 program (certificate number not found in FAA data; first cohort August 2024) |
| Programs | Aviation Airframe Mechanics (1,350 hours); Aviation Powerplant Mechanics (1,350 hours) |
| Length | About 18 months |
| Tuition | $2.86 per clock hour resident, about $6,435 for 2,250 hours; $11.43 non-resident (about $25,718) |
| Partners | ST Engineering ($100,000 in scholarships), Triumph Gulf Coast |
| Facilities | ST Engineering Hangar 1 now; 34,000-sq-ft aviation facility under construction (groundbreaking April 2025) |
| FAA pass rate | Not yet in FAA data |
| Verified | October 3, 2026 |
Programs and Costs
Pensacola State lists Airframe and Powerplant as separate career certificates; the shared General portion means both together total about 2,250 hours.
| Program | Clock hours |
|---|---|
| Aviation Airframe Mechanics | 1,350 |
| Aviation Powerplant Mechanics | 1,350 |
| Both ratings (General shared) | About 2,250 |
What You Will Actually Pay
Florida residents pay $2.86 per clock hour, about $6,435 for both ratings; non-residents pay $11.43 per hour, about $25,718. Lab fees, tools and FAA tests are extra and not itemized online.
New facility
Pensacola State broke ground in April 2025 on a 34,000-square-foot aviation maintenance facility at the airport.
How It Compares in the Florida Panhandle
| School | Full A&P path | Length | Cost | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pensacola State College | Airframe + Powerplant | 18 months | About $6,435 tuition | New program |
| George Stone Technical College (Pensacola) | Airframe + Powerplant | About 2 years | About $9,750 (est.) | 92.1% |
| Northwest Florida State College (Niceville/Crestview) | Airframe + Powerplant (about 2,250 hours) | About 15 months per certificate | $6,458 | 89.0% |
| Tom P. Haney Technical College (Panama City) | Airframe + Powerplant (1,800 hours) | 68 weeks | $13,566 | Too few tests |
| Lively Technical College (Tallahassee) | Airframe + Powerplant (2,160 hours) | About 2 years | $8,521 (2025-26) | 95.6% |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | Three certificates (60 credits) | About 5 terms | $6,324 + tools | 92.9% |
Pensacola State is the newest of three Pensacola-area options. See all Florida A&P schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pensacola State’s program FAA-approved?
The college describes it as an FAA-approved program; it started in August 2024, so it does not yet appear in FAA pass-rate data.
Where do classes meet?
In ST Engineering’s Hangar 1 at Pensacola International Airport, until the new facility opens.
How much does it cost?
About $6,435 in tuition for Florida residents for both ratings, plus fees, tools and FAA tests.
Related Programs
View All Aviation Mechanic Schools in Florida
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) - Orlando
- Broward College - Fort Lauderdale
- Charlotte Technical College - Port Charlotte
- Eastern Florida State College - Melbourne
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
- Epic Flight Academy - New Smyrna Beach
- Florida State College at Jacksonville - Jacksonville
- George Stone Technical College - Pensacola
- George T. Baker Aviation Technical College - Miami
- International AeroTech Academy - Lakeland
- Lively Technical College - Tallahassee
- Lorenzo Walker Technical College - Naples
- National Aviation Academy – Tampa Bay - Clearwater
- Northwest Florida State College - Niceville
- Tom P. Haney Technical College - Panama City
- Traviss Technical College - Lakeland
- U.S. Aviation Academy - Kissimmee
- Universal Technical Institute - Miramar