ABOUT THE PROGRAM

If you have a passion for aviation, love hands-on work as well as complex problem solving, a career in aviation may be for you. There is a huge, unmet demand for qualified aircraft mechanics making the job search easy. Recruiters visit or contact the school on a regular basis exposing students to the various job opportunities awaiting them upon graduation.

The post-secondary aviation program picks up where the prerequisite, high school Aviation and Aerospace Technology Program left off, and is intended for students wishing to pursue the Federal Aviation Administrations’ (FAA) Aircraft Mechanic certification. Participants will get in-depth, hands-on training in subject areas such as aircraft assembly and rigging, sheet metal fabrication and repair, advanced composites, avionics, inspection procedures and turbine and piston engine maintenance.

Students go to this FAA certified Part 147 program for one academic year; attending class 8hrs./day, 5 days/wk.  While some time is spent in the classroom environment (apx. 30%), most of the learning occurs in the hanger working on our diverse fleet of airplanes and helicopters.

The year is broken up into two sections: Airframe and Powerplant with each section encompassing about 750 curriculum hours. This program gives students the confidence and training to pass their FAA certification testing.

Airframe Subjects:

-Airframe structures, aerodynamics and rigging

-Aircraft finishes and fabric covering

-Welding

-Aircraft Electrical, generators, motors, wiring practices

-Sheetmetal structures

-Bonded structures, laminates and plastics

-Hydraulics and pneumatics

-Landing Gear Systems

-Aircraft atmosphere climate control systems

-Fuel. ice control, fire detection and extinguishing systems

-Instrument, pitot static, position and warning, communication/navigation systems

-Aircraft Inspections

Powerplant Subjects:

-Fundamentals of reciprocating engines

-Fundamentals of turbine engines

-Turbine and reciprocating engine fuel and fuel metering systems

-Aircraft generators, aircraft motors, powerplant wiring practices

-Turbine and reciprocating engine ignition systems and components

-Propellers and propeller governing systems

-Turbine and reciprocating engine lubrication, fire protection and instrumentation systems

-Turbine engine overhaul

-Turbine engine removal, installation and operation

-Turbine engine inspection, troubleshooting and maintenance

-Reciprocating engine overhaul

-Reciprocating engine removal, installation and operation

-Reciprocating engine inspection, troubleshooting and maintenance

CERTIFICATIONS AND CREDITS

FAA Mechanic Certificate with an Airframe and Powerplant rating.

Participating colleges and universities may award up to 67 college credits through the ACE program American Council on Education) after mechanic certification.

Please visit www.VSAC.com for information about the VSAC non-degree grant which can be used to pay for class if you qualify. Applications can be made online or a paper application can be picked up in our main office. If you have any questions please contact Marc Houihan at mhouliha@bsdvt.org