A & P Prep Schools Requirement For Certification
Beyond your burning interest in becoming an airplane mechanic, you must meet the minimum experience requirements. Military experience counts. You only need documented evidence of any military school(s) attended and working experience on the Flight Line. This experience must meet the "Acceptable Means of Compliance to FAA Part-66." There are FAA forms to fill out. On occasion the FAA administrator will ask the applicant what type of airplane(s) the person's A & P experience is associated with — be prepared.
There are also other ways to meet this requirement. One is by working under the supervision of an FAA certified mechanic. The FAA has specific time limits associated with this supervision. Also if an international aviation mechanic needs an FAA approved A & P License there are special A & P Prep Schools that teach the foreign mechanic how to qualify and prepare for testing. The differences are insignificant due to the massive proliferation of international aircraft sales. Mechanics around the world are as familiar with a Boeing 747 aircraft as they are with a French manufactured Airbus 320.
These A & P Prep Schools fall under FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance School. The prep school must pass certain criteria outlined in the FAA requirements. This includes approved text books, certified instructors, teaching tools, shop equipment, a wide selection of hand tools and their usage, and explicit presentations over a wide variety of aircraft and engines — with some theory included.
Whether you are studying to earn your A&P license at an approved FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance School or are already learning by on the job training (OJT) to become a mechanic, you must eventually pass an FAA A & P exam. This testing is given at an FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or an FAA FSDO authorized designee.
The A & P Prep School on the average costs about $1700 and this includes all course work, text books, and FAA certified facilities. The military granted GI Bill is almost universally accepted by A & P Prep Schools. It may not cover all costs, but the additional costs are minimal. On occasion, an A & P student will need special tutoring. This usually costs around $325 for a few hours one-on-one — generally less than a week. The international mechanic working to obtain an FAA license can take a short course that costs around $275. This is usually a one day course and the applicant is expected to speak, read, and write English fluently. There are some private companies that specialize in instructing foreign mechanics in their own language — this is expensive.
A & P prep schools often offer job placement services upon successful completion & licensure. These schools will enroll the new mechanic in top of the line job placement programs. These programs will give the mechanic good up to date information on who is hiring and where the top jobs are.
