West Los Angeles College has trained aviation mechanics since 1974 at its Aviation Technology Complex in Culver City, a few miles from LAX. It is one of the lowest-cost routes to an A&P certificate in Los Angeles and posts one of the area’s best FAA pass rates.
Verified October 2, 2026 against the college’s program pages, 2025-26 catalog and LACCD fee schedule. Compare all California A&P schools.
Quick Facts
- Length: Not published (A&P AS or certificates)
- Cost: $46 per unit for CA residents (2026-27)
- Location: Culver City, CA (near LAX)
- Website: Official School Web Page
Compare with other A&P schools nearby: Los Angeles area A&P schools.
Our Take
West LA College suits Los Angeles residents who want a public, low-cost A&P program close to the LAX job market, with the option of evening classes. Its graduates passed 90.8% of FAA written tests, and top students can get mentoring and guaranteed interviews through an American Airlines partnership. The catch: the college does not publish unit totals, a term sequence or start dates online, so plan on talking to a counselor before you can price the program precisely.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| FAA status | Part 147 certificated school (certificate GH3T527L) |
| Full A&P credential | Aviation Maintenance Technician AS, or the Airframe and Powerplant certificates |
| Other credentials | BS in Aviation Maintenance Technology – Avionics (first cohort Fall 2024) |
| Schedule | Day sections about 6:50 a.m.–1:40 p.m. and evening sections about 4:45–10:25 p.m., Monday–Thursday (recent schedule) |
| Cost | $46 per unit for California residents; unit total not published |
| FAA pass rate | 90.8% (128 of 141 written tests, Aug 2023–Dec 2024) |
| Campus | Aviation Technology Complex, 9000 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA 90230 |
| Verified | October 2, 2026 |
Programs and Costs
West LA College’s Aviation Technology program (AVIATEK courses) prepares students for the FAA General, Airframe and Powerplant exams. Courses run as lecture-and-lab pairs, typically a 4-unit lecture with a 2-unit lab.
| Program | FAA exams covered | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation Maintenance Technician AS | General, Airframe, Powerplant | Adds general education |
| Airframe Maintenance Technician certificate | General, Airframe | Technical courses only |
| Aircraft Power Plant Technician certificate | General, Powerplant | Technical courses only |
| BS Aviation Maintenance Technology – Avionics | Builds on the A&P | Upper-division, about two years |
The college’s catalog and program maps did not show unit totals when we checked. If the program follows the 12 lecture-lab pairs we could verify, the full A&P path would be about 72 units, which we have not confirmed.
What You Will Actually Pay
California residents pay the statewide community college enrollment fee of $46 per unit in 2026-27, plus a health fee of about $19 each fall and spring term. If the A&P path is about 72 units, enrollment fees would come to roughly $3,300. Eligible residents can have the $46 per unit waived through the California College Promise Grant.
Out-of-state students pay LACCD’s nonresident tuition on top of the enrollment fee ($377 per unit in 2025-26; the 2026-27 rate was not yet posted). Tools, books and FAA testing (about $1,500–$2,500) are extra.
Industry Partners
West LA College has a partnership with American Airlines: Los Angeles-based American technicians mentor students, and top students are guaranteed interviews. The program placed 4th of 40 in the college division at the 2024 Aerospace Maintenance Competition.
Facilities
Training takes place in the Aviation Technology Complex (buildings AT-A, AT-B and AT-C) on the main Culver City campus, not on the airport.
How It Compares in Los Angeles
| School | Full A&P path | Length | Cost | FAA pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Los Angeles College (Culver City) | Associate degree or certificates | Not published | $46 per unit | 90.8% |
| North Valley Occupational Center (Van Nuys) | 2,340 hours | About 2 years | Tuition-free | 97.5% |
| Mt. San Antonio College (Walnut) | 63.5–67.5 units | 21–24 months | $3,129 | 94.4% |
| Orange Coast College (Costa Mesa) | 63 units | About 2 years | $3,033 | 88.6% |
| UTI Long Beach | 1,950 hours | 78 weeks | $53,595 | Not yet in FAA data |
| Spartan College (Inglewood) | 93 credits | 18 months | $57,096 | 85.4% |
West LA College is the closest public A&P program to LAX. Students who want a published unit count and fixed cohort dates should also compare Mt. SAC and Orange Coast College. See the Los Angeles-area comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Los Angeles College’s aviation program FAA-approved?
Yes. It operates an FAA Part 147 school, and its graduates passed 128 of 141 FAA written tests from August 2023 to December 2024, per the FAA’s pass-rate report.
Does West LA College offer evening A&P classes?
Yes. Recent schedules show both day and evening sections, Monday through Thursday.
How much does the program cost?
California residents pay $46 per unit plus campus fees; the college does not publish the unit total online. Ask a counselor for the current sequence.
Related Programs
View All Aviation Mechanic Schools in California
- Antelope Valley College - Lancaster
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) - Fremont
- California Aeronautical University - Bakersfield
- Chaffey College - Rancho Cucamonga
- College of Alameda - Alameda
- Cuesta College - San Luis Obispo
- Gavilan College - San Martin
- Mt. San Antonio College - Walnut
- North Valley Occupational Center - Van Nuys
- Orange Coast College - Costa Mesa
- Reedley College - Reedley
- Sacramento City College - Sacramento
- San Bernardino Valley College - San Bernardino
- San Diego Miramar College - San Diego
- San Joaquin Valley College - Fresno
- Solano Community College - Vacaville
- Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology - Inglewood & Riverside
- Universal Technical Institute - Long Beach
- Victor Valley College - Victorville