Will Aviation Maintenance Training Be For You?
Do you find yourself wondering “am I a good fit for aviation maintenance training?” You’re not alone. Earning your Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certifications takes time, dedication, and a detail-oriented mindset. That’s exactly why National Aviation Academy (NAA) has laid out all of the steps to getting certified for you! But before you commit, let’s talk about what makes a good fit.
Those who are aviation maintenance technicians are highly skilled in what they do and must be attentive at all times. Fixing, maintaining, inspecting, and repairing aircraft is an important role to take on. And with safety being the absolute focus of aviation maintenance technicians, those willing to enter aviation maintenance training should consider if the job is right for them.
Are you ready for hands-on training and a rewarding career path in aviation maintenance? Then consider yourself the perfect fit!
Starting Aviation Maintenance Training
Applicants interested in aviation maintenance training have to clear a few requirements listed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):
- be at least 18 years of age
- be able to read, write, and understand English
- possess a high school diploma or GED
Part-147 schools, such as National Aviation Academy, offer the structure, instruction, necessary materials, and assurance needed to meet the FAA-mandated requirements to become a certified aviation maintenance professional as soon as possible.
Breaking and Forming Habits
Everyone has habits that are formed, especially in the workplace, and that’s even true for aviation mechanics. With all walks of life and different backgrounds, aircraft maintenance training allows one to form good habits while breaking bad ones.
For example, routinely cutting corners while working on aircraft in the military can lead to those bad habits continuing. However, training allows one to re-learn the proper and safe way to maintain and fix aircraft. Think of it as replacing an old routine with a new one!
Safety is the main priority of aviation maintenance. And while “this is how I’ve always done it” may work in other industries, it won’t fly in aviation. Forming the habit of continuously checking a manual during an inspection or repair on an aircraft can prevent possible catastrophic results.
Those willing to form good habits and routines are a good fit for aviation maintenance training. Whether you’ve worked on aircraft before attending National Aviation Academy or are starting fresh, training provides the opportunity for these good habits to form.
A Hands-On Training Experience
Like mentioned previously, students who attend Part-147 schools come from all walks of life and backgrounds. Some have never flown on an aircraft. Others may have worked on them in the military for decades. Whatever it boils down to, those who would be a good fit for aviation maintenance training are willing to work hands-on.
Aviation maintenance isn’t your typical nine-to-five desk job. At NAA, we offer a mixture of learning methods.
Specifically, our curriculum is taught through three primary modes:
- Classroom instruction accompanied by text and workbook review
- Team-oriented, hands-on training projects in a laboratory setting which simulate on-the-job skills
- Real-world experience working on aircraft at our hangar
While some lectures and presentations are required to cover the curriculum, aviation maintenance training should prepare you for the workforce, right? And out in the field, hands-on work is a day-in-day-out occurrence. This makes the hands-on component of training critical. Those who are interested in this type of training should be willing to use their hands, as building muscle memory only helps with learning the material taught in class!
Prioritize Your Activities and Time
Even with our accelerated 14-month and 21-month training options, there is an element of dedication that is required of students. For example, the Federal Aviation Administration mandates a set number of hours at National Aviation Academy to graduate. Those hours come in at 2,000 for our Aviation Maintenance Technology program and 3,000 for our Aviation Maintenance Professional program.
This isn’t your typical higher-education environment. Missing required hours means that those hours need to be made up. For some, this can be a bit overwhelming. Those who are a good fit for aviation maintenance training must understand that it’s important to attend classes regularly, and make up any time missed. After all, completing the required hours is the only way to get certified!
Additionally, studying is typical for NAA students. The FAA mandates written, oral, and practical (3) examinations in general, powerplant, and airframe (3) subjects to show aptitude.
Forming good habits can revolve around prioritizing time. Balancing priorities is something that aviation mechanics understand in the workplace. The time spent dedicating yourself to the craft allows for a more successful outcome. With that, training and learning the material properly can only propel you further in your career! It takes time, dedication, and prioritizing activities to truly be a good fit for aviation maintenance.
Is Aviation Maintenance Training Right for You?
The aviation maintenance industry is a limitless career. It doesn’t matter what sector of aviation you want to enter, either. Mechanics are a necessary part of keeping the skies safe for both cargo and passengers. Training is essential for the role, too. And with new technology and the industry ever-evolving, it’s important to recognize if you’re a good fit.
Aviation maintenance training isn’t always easy. Yet, for those who can form good habits, learn or enjoy working with their hands, and prioritize their time, aviation maintenance sounds like just the thing for you!
Think you’re the right person for training? Fill out the form below!