Dallas College announced its new Aviation Maintenance Technology program today. The program launched on Tuesday (April 1) and prepares students for the FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) technician certificate. The college operates the largely hands-on A&P program from a hangar at Dallas Redbird Airport (KRBD). There will be an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the site on April 22.
My primary A&P education during the early 1970’s culminating in the A&P certificate required 17 months as opposed to Dallas College’s 13 month proposal today. Reflecting on that 17 month stint, I thought at the time and do even more so now that 17 months was inadequate. Admittedly that may have have as much to do with my lame brain as anything else.
Granted, technologies have changed since then. For example I was trained on radial engines and massive PD carburetors as big and heavy as the small 4 cylinder engines that power many GA airplanes today. As interesting as that technology was, by then it was already obsolete and all us of knew it. We should instead have been trained on fuel injection systems and the engines on which they were applied as well as emerging turbine engine technologies.
Changes in contemporary education, industry technology, and my lame brain notwithstanding, I’m hard pressed to understand how only 13 months of education can adequately prepare even the brightest of today’s aspiring AMTs in today’s ever more demanding environment.
I agree, John. You can only squeeze a training program so much before you start cutting into the stuff that really matters. One can argue that today’s tech makes it easier to look things up and learn faster, but turning wrenches, spotting trouble, and knowing when something’s not right still takes time and experience. A 13-month A&P program might be enough for the basics. But if you rush it too much, you’re not speeding things up. You’re just sending folks out before they’re ready. Some things you just can’t fast track.
This must be a miss-print. I graduated a FAA approved school in 2000 and the minimum was 18mo for each or 30mo for both. As far as I know, this has not changed. I know of no shorter requirement except the military has some sort of special exception.
I am a retired DME and taught A&P curriculum many years. I gave up giving the Practical Tests because the applicants from the schools were so ill prepared, and that was from 18 month/two year schools. Those graduates did not know the basic skills, such as torqueing a bolt or safety wire technique, but they could parrot theory. Many could not even identify or size an aircraft bolt.
Training eight hours a day is academically a waste of time. Sure, just teach the test.
Tech training today is pathetic, as is pilot training. There is no way the real skill requirements can be taught in 13 months…unless those requirements are watered down.
So now we will have techs ham fisting airplanes that are flown by pilots that have no stick and rudder skills. I am glad I am retired.
I know a 20 year old that graduated from the University of Fairbanks 12 month A&P program and passed their A&P test and their Private Pilot Test two weeks apart.
12 month program seems to work alright for the Alaska Aviation Community for the past +50 years.
I agree w/ whankinson. I, too, taught A&P classes over 40 years ago on an Air Force Base for a local junior college. I had people who couldn’t read trying to become mechanics AND they were in the Air Force (sic). Those classes were mostly test prep classes. It was assumed that the people attending had their practical experience from someplace else. But, even there, they were specialists so they didn’t have the breath of experience necessary to be a good A&P. I got mine the old fashioned way … on the job training over more than five years working at night at the Base Aero Club plus taking classes, restoring an airplane, building an E-AB airplane and more. The DME knew me but still raked me over the coals.
I know a DME who tells me that people are showing up with no hands on skills at all. He says they can’t install and time a mag or do like simple skills. One tried to put a cylinder on an engine upside down. VERY scary. He says he could sell them a left handed screwdriver set. And then, when he fails them, they go crying to the FSDO saying ‘he was mean or unfair to me.’ Fortunately, the FBO knows he’s fair albeit thorough and no one gets the certificate unless they pass the tests fair and square. He’s making a good living failing 'em, though. We have pilot puppy mills so … why not mechanic puppy mills.
There is no way anyone can convince me that a non-mechanically inclined or an already experienced person can fulfill all the requirements of an A&P in 13 months. The FAA needs to double check a smattering of the people this school turns out.
I’ve never seen a minority mechanic and met my first female mechanic only in the past few years… After 20 years flying regularly all over the USA.
So we are clear: I am all good with ANYONE qualified and who shows good progress to continue thru the course. There is no place for cutting standards here or as a pilot… Period.
A&P should require a minimum 2 years ie beyond most trades, including rigorous testing. When you graduate you need another 12 mo as journeyman in a busy shop with lots of senior folks. Then, and only then, can you take a final Qual test. Like residency then boards.
It will ensure high pay and qualified people. That is what matters.