It will allow you to work in the high tech world of aviation and aerospace. As a licensed A&P technician, you will have the opportunity to work on, maintain and repair any flyable airworthy aircraft in the United States. This includes balloons, gliders, ultra-lites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's), even rocket ships like the space shuttle. This training will also allow you to work in the manufacture of aircraft and possibly help design components and systems for new aircraft. A job is something you do for money. A career is something you do for self satisfaction. If you enjoy using your mind to find solutions to problems, enjoy working with your hands, and enjoy the feeling of self fulfillment after completing a difficult task, then this career is for you.
As our population increases, economy rises, and businesses expand, so is the need for air travel. With this increased air travel comes more maintenance for air safety. This in turn creates more employment opportunities for qualified licensed technicians. As technology advances for aircraft, someone has to install and maintain these new technologies, again increases for more job opportunities.
The FAA mandates that all aircraft must adhere to a certain level of maintenance to remain in a safe airworthy condition, again someone must maintain these aircraft, increased employment opportunities.
All five branches of our military, federal, state, and local governments all own and maintain aircraft. Due to our current political climate, these government agencies have had a significant increase in flight activity. Again, this leads to increased employment opportunities.
Due to the size of the companies that can afford complex aircraft, the benefits are excellent. Most offer 2-4 week paid vacations, retirement plans and options, health and dental insurance, life insurance, and depending on the company, some will allow free flights on your days off. Some will also offer flight assistance to your immediate families to include parents.
The pay is excellent. As with any industry experience needs to accompany you for upper level positions. As an example, one of past students, now in upper management for a major U.S. airline, recently told a graduating class that "with an A&P license from Amarillo College and three years of practical experience from one of our contractors, you will start out with us at about $70,000 a year plus benefits."
While not everyone will want to work on large aircraft, the starting pay for new grads is usually between $12 to $20 per hour, depending on the job and location. This runs between $25,000 and $42,000 per year excluding benefits and overtime.
Aerospace Manufacturing prepares and qualifies graduates to manufacture mechanical and electrical components for modern aircraft.
Terry L. Smith
Program Coordinator
FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician School AM0T064K
Amarillo College
East Campus, Academic Classroom Center, Room 103
1310 F Avenue
Amarillo, TX 79111
Phone: (806) 335-4343
Email: tlsmith27@actx.edu