Aviation Systems Technology

You need to follow the general enrollment process for GTCC. During advising, you can indicate your desire to study within this curriculum. Your advisor will help you sign up for the 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 (HS GPA > 2.8, or MAT-025/ENG-025 equivalent), if not already covered by your transcripts. 

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.

Click here for the GTCC Aviation Systems Technology Student Minimum Tool List: Download PDF for Transfer

AAR, Honda Jet, Signature Technicair, Textron Cessna, Piedmont Aviation, GE Engines, Dynamic Air, Genesis Aviation, VF Corporation, and LabTech all hire GTCC graduates from this program locally. Regional and national opportunities exist with all major air carriers and the military. GTCC has a partnership with Delta Airlines to provide additional training and job opportunities with them along with their regional carriers under contract.

Use Indeed.com or JSFirm to search local and regional jobs for “Aviation Maintenance” in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and North Carolina.

Duke Energy, Railroads, and other technical industries also seek and employ our graduates because they have skills in a broad array of subject matter areas.

The starting salary varies with the employer and region. The local average is roughly $22-$32 an hour, with most employers offering an hourly increase with each certificate obtained. (Airframe = $1.00, Powerplant = $1.00)  This is a starting salary that increases rapidly with skills and experience.

Major airlines and OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) hire entry-level A&Ps from $29-55/hour with a progressive scale that increases with experience. 

Top salaries peak between $45 - $85/hour after five to ten years of experience.

Yes, Honda Aircraft, HAECO, Signature Technicair, Textron, Piendmont Propulsion, General Dynamics, and Lockheed Martin employ many of our students while they are going to school. 

New internship and apprenticeship opportunities open each semester as companies develop talent pipelines and increase demand for technicians. Many new employers to the region have expressed interest in starting internships once they are in full production, like Marshall, Boom Super Sonic, and JetZero. 

Yes. You may be able to receive credit for your experience. Refer to 14 CFR Part 65 Subpart D- Mechanics for more information. You will have to submit the required documentation to the FAA and receive a signed FAA Form 8610-2 from the local Flight Standards District Office.

GTCC’s operations manual allows advanced standing for military service members while working with the local FAA to gain certification. Contact the program faculty or stop by to see how the process is completed.

Whether you are pursuing the degree or just the certificate, it will take six semesters (two full years) for both licenses. It requires three and a half to four semesters to gain the Airframe or Powerplant Certificates individually.

Yes, identical day and night programs are offered. Day classes are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Night classes are from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. These classes allow for work opportunities within the industry while you are completing your training.

It is a three-phase process.

The first phase is the academics. This is comprised of classroom lectures and lab environment application of skills. Typically classes are 1/3 classroom and 2/3 lab time. Upon completion of academic work and comprehensive examination, GTCC issues your certificate of completion for the training involved.  

The second phase is a written test at a certified FAA testing center. You must take your GTCC Completion certificate, photo ID, and GTCC testing voucher (payment). There are three FAA written tests for full licensing (General, Airframe, and Powerplant). 

The third phase is the FAA oral and practical (O&P) exam with a Designated Maintenance Examiner. Typically, you will pursue the O&Ps directly after completion of Airframe or Powerplant academics and FAA written completion. Upon successful completion of O&P exams, you are issued your license.

FAA licenses are good for life as long as long as they are kept current and not suspended for violation.

If the other Part 147 school is fully accredited and in good standing with the FAA, yes. However, the official transcripts must be evaluated to determine how much credit will be awarded. Contact the department chair for more information. Details of contact hours by subject matter area are required well in advance of your desire to attend to allow coordination with the other school. 

Not all training can be awarded credit if it does not meet the requirements of GTCC’s approved program.

The approximate total cost for the two-year program is $9850.00 with tuition, books, fees and tools. The oral and practical testing with a Designated Maintenance Examiner is currently $1,400 for both licenses in North Carolina ($800 for general and any one license and $600 for the second individual license).

We do have scholarships available for aviation students pursuing licensing sponsored by CARRS and the CEMALA Foundation.