What Makes a School FAA-Approved (Part 147)?

The FAA does not accredit every aviation school that offers maintenance training. Approved schools — Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools (AMTS) certificated under 14 CFR Part 147 — have submitted their curriculum, facilities, and instructor qualifications for FAA review and met the standards defined in the regulation. Their curricula must cover the General, Airframe, and Powerplant subject areas that map to the FAA written tests and the Aviation Mechanic Airman Certification Standards (ACS).

The key advantage of attending a Part 147 school: your graduation certificate substitutes for the practical experience requirement. Instead of documenting 30 months of on-the-job experience (18 months for a single rating) under 14 CFR §65.73, graduates can apply for testing immediately after completing the program. That is a significant difference, and it is why choosing an approved program is strongly recommended by nearly everyone in the industry.

Keep in mind that approved status does not mean all approved schools are equal. The quality of instruction, the condition of training aircraft, the availability of modern labs, and the strength of industry connections vary considerably. The list below reflects schools with consistently strong reputations among graduates and employers. Details such as exact tuition, program length, and admission requirements change frequently — always verify current figures directly with the school.

Oklahoma: Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology

Spartan College in Tulsa, Oklahoma is one of the oldest and largest aviation maintenance schools in the country, training mechanics since the 1920s. Its AMT program covers General, Airframe, and Powerplant in a structured, hands-on format, and the school operates its own fleet of training aircraft and engines. Spartan's location in Tulsa — close to major GA manufacturing and MRO activity — gives students access to industry connections and maintenance facilities.

What sets Spartan apart is the scale and maturity of its program: decades of curriculum refinement, strong employer recruiting relationships, and facilities built specifically for AMT training. Tuition varies by program track and financial aid availability, so it is worth contacting admissions for current figures. Spartan is often the benchmark other programs are compared against in the US.

Florida and Arizona: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University — with residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott, Arizona — is the largest aviation-focused university in the world, and its aviation maintenance science programs are among the most rigorous available. Embry-Riddle's AMT training combines a strong theoretical foundation with hands-on laboratory work, and the university's industry partnerships span airlines, MROs, and OEMs.

Embry-Riddle is a good fit for students who want a university-level education alongside their FAA certification — the program can be combined with associate or bachelor's degree coursework, opening doors to management and engineering-adjacent career paths later. Tuition is higher than at most community college programs, and admission is competitive. If you want the credential plus a degree, Embry-Riddle is one of the strongest options in the country.

Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA)

The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics has trained aviation maintenance technicians for over 90 years, with campuses in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia. PIA's Airframe and Powerplant program is known for its heavy emphasis on hands-on work — students spend a large share of their time in the hangar, on live aircraft and engines, rather than in lectures.

PIA benefits from its proximity to the Northeast's airline and MRO infrastructure, and the school reports strong placement relationships with regional airlines, MROs, and corporate flight departments. The program runs roughly two years and is frequently recommended for students who want maximum shop time per tuition dollar.

Multi-Campus: Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM)

The Aviation Institute of Maintenance operates FAA-approved Part 147 campuses in several states, including Virginia, Georgia, Texas, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and others. AIM's programs are built around a structured AMT curriculum with day and evening schedules, making the school a popular choice for working students and career changers.

AIM's strength is accessibility and consistency: a standardized curriculum across campuses, partnerships with regional employers near each campus, and support services for students transitioning into the field. As with all schools, tuition and program length vary by campus — check with the specific location for current details.

Texas: Tarrant County College (Fort Worth)

Tarrant County College's Aviation Maintenance Technology program in Fort Worth, Texas is a standout among community college options. Located in the heart of one of the country's biggest aviation markets (DFW), the program benefits from direct industry relationships with American Airlines, regional carriers, and the area's dense MRO cluster.

As a community college, TCC offers significantly lower tuition than private institutions, making it one of the best value options in the country for FAA certification. The program covers General, Airframe, and Powerplant and prepares students for the FAA written tests and O&P exam. Texas consistently has the highest number of A&P job postings in the US, so graduates are positioned in the right market.

Michigan and Beyond: MIAT College of Technology and Other Options

MIAT College of Technology in Canton, Michigan offers an FAA-approved AMT program with strong hands-on training and employer connections in the Midwest. The National Aviation Academy (NAA), with campuses in Florida and Massachusetts, is another well-established Part 147 school with decades of AMT training history. Vaughn College in Queens, New York, offers an FAA-approved AMT program in the heart of the New York aviation market, and dozens of community colleges across the country — from Texas to Washington — operate excellent Part 147 programs at a fraction of private school tuition.

The right choice depends on your budget, location, and goals. A community college program near a major aviation hub can be just as effective as a prestigious private school — what matters most is that the school is FAA-approved, has aircraft you will actually work on, and has a track record of graduates passing the FAA tests and getting hired.

How to Choose the Right School for You

Beyond tuition and location, here are the factors that experienced A&P mechanics say matter most when choosing a school:

FAA Part 147 approval — Verify the school is currently listed as an FAA-approved AMTS. Only graduates of approved schools receive the experience waiver. The FAA publishes a list of certificated schools on its website.
Fleet variety — Schools with more aircraft types expose you to different systems. A school that only has Cessna 172s will not prepare you as well for turbine-engine material as one with turboprops and jets.
Lab and shop quality — Look for schools with real aircraft, running engines, and modern test equipment. The quality of the sheet metal, electrical, and engine labs matters enormously for the hands-on O&P exam.
Industry placement rate — Ask admissions what percentage of graduates find maintenance employment within 6 months of graduation. Schools that track this data transparently are usually confident in their outcomes.
Instructor experience — The best instructors are A&P mechanics with recent industry experience. A school whose instructors are still active in the field will teach you current best practices, not textbook theory from 20 years ago.
Exam prep support — Some schools integrate FAA written test preparation into their curriculum. Others leave it entirely to students. Ask about pass rates for the General, Airframe, and Powerplant tests.

Preparing for FAA Tests During School

Your AMT program will build the foundational knowledge you need, but passing the FAA written tests requires focused preparation beyond what most schools provide. The General test, in particular, demands familiarity with the FAA question bank style, and many programs only cover test-taking strategy at a high level.

This is where dedicated exam prep tools make a real difference. Sky License offers practice exams aligned with the Aviation Mechanic ACS and the FAA test question bank, adaptive AI that targets your weak areas, and detailed explanations with references to the FAA handbooks and 14 CFR. Hundreds of AMT students across the US use Sky License alongside their school programs to ensure they are ready for test day.

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Final Thoughts

There is no single "best" A&P school in the US — the right choice depends on your location, budget, and career goals. But attending an FAA-approved Part 147 program is a near-universal recommendation from certificated mechanics. The experience waiver alone saves you 30 months of work experience, which translates into faster certification and higher earning potential.

Whichever school you choose, remember that the education is just the start. Passing your FAA written tests and the oral and practical exam are the next challenges. Choose a school that sets you up for both.

Best A&P Schools in the US: FAA Part 147 Programs