Aircraft Structures Assembly and Repair

Do you want to work at an aerospace manufacturing company like Boom Supersonic, HondaJet, HAECO, VSE, Marshall Aerospace, Boeing, MSI, Summit Aviation, Latitude Aero or Lockheed Martin? Get there from GTCC with a diploma in aircraft structures assembly and repair, part of the Aerospace Manufacturing Technology program!

Spend two semesters learning how to build and repair aircraft structures using sheet metal and composite materials.

Learn the following skills:

  • Aircraft riveting
  • Aircraft assembly
  • Aircraft structural repairs
  • Composite material layups
  • Precision measuring instruments
  • Blueprint reading
  • Computer Numeric Control (CNC) router operations
  • Lean manufacturing
  • Quality control

Entry level employment opportunities include:

  • Aircraft assembler
  • Composite manufacturing technician
  • Aircraft structures repair technician (sheet metal and composites)

Want to earn an Associate Degree? Spend one more year learning how to be a machinist, manufacturing engineer, or manufacturing manager.

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Credentialing Options

Aerospace Manufacturing and Repair Technology - Aircraft Structures Assembly & Repair Diploma

D 50 45 0 D1

Contact:  (336) 334-4822 ext. 59028

Aerospace Manufacturing Technology - Aircraft Structures Assembly & Repair Diploma

The Aerospace Manufacturing Technology curriculum prepares individuals to assemble, fabricate, manufacture, repair, and inspect aircraft structures in an industrial setting.

Coursework includes production procedures, quality assurance, workplace safety, aerospace standards and aircraft structures assembly and repair.  Emphasis will be placed on aerospace manufacturing techniques, manufacturing processes, composite manufacturing and repair, and sheet metal manufacturing and repair.

Graduates should qualify for employment as an aircraft assembler, aircraft structures repair technician, sheet metal fabricator, composite layup technician, composite repair technician, and quality assurance inspector.

Program Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the Aircraft Structures Assembly and Repair Diploma, the graduate should be able to:

  • Manufacture sheet metal aerostructures using common sheet metal assembly tools and procedures.
  • Manufacture composite aerostructures using common composite manufacturing tools and procedures.
  • Repair sheet metal airframe components using common sheet metal repair tools and procedures.
  • Repair composite airframe components using common composite repair tools and procedures.
  • Read and interpret aircraft drawings and work instructions.
  • Apply quality management system standards (QMS) for the aerospace industry.

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 12

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 13

Summer Semester I

Total Credits: 11

Total credits required for diploma: 36

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Aerospace Manufacturing Technology - Sheet Metal Structures Certificate

C 50 45 0 C1

The Aerospace Manufacturing Technology curriculum prepares individuals to assemble, fabricate, manufacture, repair, and inspect aircraft structures in an industrial setting.

Coursework includes production procedures, quality assurance, workplace safety, aerospace standards and aircraft structures assembly and repair.  Emphasis will be placed on aerospace manufacturing techniques, manufacturing processes, composite manufacturing and repair, and sheet metal manufacturing and repair.

Graduates should qualify for employment as an aircraft assembler, aircraft structures repair technician, sheet metal fabricator, composite layup technician, composite repair technician, and quality assurance inspector.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Aerospace Manufacturing Technology - Sheet Metal Structures Certificate, the graduate should be able to:

  • Manufacture sheet metal aerostructures using common sheet metal assembly tools and procedures.
  • Repair sheet metal airframe components using common sheet metal repair tools and procedures.
  • Read and interpret aircraft drawings and work instructions.
  • Have a basic understanding of the quality management system standards (QMS) for the aerospace industry.

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 12

Total credit hours required for certificate: 12

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Aerospace Manufacturing Technology - Composite Structures Certificate

C 50 45 0 C2

The Aerospace Manufacturing Technology - Composite Structures Certificate prepares individuals for employment as aerospace manufacturing technicians, industrial project assembly and repair technicians, and composite repair specialists. Course work includes aerostructures industry standards, aerostructures materials, production procedures, planning, aviation standards, and aerostructure assemblies. Emphasis will be placed on aerostructure construction techniques, manufacturing processes, and composite repair processes. Employment opportunities exist in aircraft manufacturing companies, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, aerospace component manufacturing companies, and aerospace support services companies.

Program outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the Aerospace Manufacturing Technology - Composite Structures Certificate, students will be able to:

  • Manufacture composite aerostructures using common composite manufacturing tools and procedures.
  • Repair composite airframe components using common composite repair tools and procedures.
  • Read and interpret aircraft drawings and work instructions.

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 13

Total credit hours required for certificate: 13

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Program Gallery

  • Removal of sharp edges from a laminate assembly

    Carbon fiber trimming

  • Scarfing project using downdraft tables

    Composite repair hot bonder

  • Setting up the vacuum port

    Cutting prepreg

  • Preparing unidirectional carbon laminate

    Mold layup

  • Preparing layup materials

    Mold layup

  • Securing solid release film

    Sheet metal repair

  • Producing composite layups

    Tensile test

  • Preparing layup materials

    Vacuum bagging

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Student Testimonials

Aviation Student Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

You will need to follow the general enrollment process for GTCC. During the advising process you will have the opportunity to indicate your desire to study within this curriculum. Your advisor will help you sign up for the specific courses you need. Once you have been accepted and have submitted your transcripts from High School or College, you will need to satisfy entry level prerequisites (DRE098, MAT10-50), if not already covered by your transcripts. 

  • Daniel Reed, MAS, LSSGB, CFI (Program Director and Instructor)
  • David Lynch, AAS, A&P (Instructor)

Yes, Financial aid is available if you qualify. Please visit the Financial Aid web page or contact the Financial Aid office at 336-334-4822 Option 3.

None. All tools and equipment required for the course are available for you to use while attending the program.

HAECO, Honda Jet, Aerotek, and YOH all hire GTCC graduates from this program locally. Regional and national opportunities exist with all major aerospace manufacturing, modification, completion, and repair companies. 

Use Indeed.com or JSFirm.com to search local and regional jobs for “Structures,” “Aircraft Structures Mechanic,” “Aircraft Sheet Metal Mechanic,” or “Aircraft Composites Mechanic” in Greensboro and the state of North Carolina. 

JSFirm.com is the best site for finding aircraft technician jobs.

Greensboro, NC Jobs

North Carolina Jobs

Mickey Truck Bodies, Tradesmen International, and other technical industries also employ and seek our graduates because they have the skills they are looking for in a broad array of subject matter areas.

The starting salary varies with the employer and region. Local average is roughly $14.00-$18.00 an hour.  Your starting salary will increase rapidly with acquired skills and experience.

Major repair centers, completions centers, modification centers, and OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) hire structure mechanics with 3+ years of experience from $25-28/hour with a progressive scale that increases with experience.

Not at the moment. We are currently working with local companies to establish internships and apprenticeships for students who are enrolled in the program. 

The diploma can be completed in either two or three semesters. The core course can be completed in two semesters. Each certificate can be completed in just one semester.

Not at the moment. We currently offer only day classes. Evening classes will be added in the future.

The approximate total cost is $2,800.00, not including books.