Program Overview
Federally-licensed graduates of the Aviation Maintenance Technology (AVM) Program are prepared to assume positions as airline or general aviation engine and/or airframe mechanics. The program is certified to provide approved instruction leading to FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate examinations. Currently, 2,000 hours of instruction are offered in the areas of airframe and powerplant, which translates to 11 months of instruction in each year of the two-year program.
Work and Employment
In addition to the general aviation engine and/or airframe mechanic, graduates have also found work in other job-related areas, such as sheet metal construction and repair, reciprocating and turbine engine repair and overhaul, engine accessory overhaul and repair, air conditioning systems, welding, hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical systems maintenance.
Transfer Opportunities
The program provides the first two years of a baccalaureate program for those who wish to pursue a four-year degree. Graduates also receive preferential admission status when they apply to the B.S. in Aviation Management or Aviation Technologies programs at Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Students should also consult with an Academic Advisor, the Dean, or Academic Chair of the Aviation program.
Previous College Credit
The RVC/AVM program does not accept transfer credits for aviation courses completed at any other institution.
Industry Certifications (if applicable)
Upon successful completion of the AVM program, students have the opportunity to take the Federal examinations to earn an FAA Airframe Technician and Powerplant Technician license.
Applying for the Program
A special application is required for admission to the program. Students are urged to apply as soon as possible prior to the term in which they wish to enroll. Contact the program office for an application.
Testing Fees - FAA Mechanic Certification
Upon completion of Rock Valley Colleges General and Airframe and/or Powerplant program curriculum, you will be required to pass a series of written, oral, and practical tests to obtain a mechanic certificate with Airframe and/or Powerplant Ratings issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As you consider pursuing the AMT program at Rock Valley College, it is important to be aware of these additional fees.
Testing for the FAA Mechanic certificate is broken into two portions or ratings:
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Airframe rating
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Powerplant rating
The certification testing scheme breaks down this way:
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Written knowledge tests
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General subject area: $175 per attempt
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Airframe subject area: $175 per attempt
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Powerplant subject area: $175 per attempt
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Written tests: $525 total *
(The general written test is taken with the first rating sought.)
All tests completed in the first take: $1,525 **
The typical test completion strategy by AMT students is to complete the General and Airframe, written, orals, and practical tests following completion of the General and Airframe program curriculum. Following the completion of the Powerplant curriculum, students take the Powerplant tests.
* Written knowledge test prices are subject to change. Prices for knowledge tests are set by FAA-approved testing centers.
** All prices are subject to change. Prices for written tests are set by FAA-approved testing centers. Oral and practical exams are conducted by a FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME).
Requirements
Aviation Maintenance
General Education
| ENG-101 | Composition I | 3 |
-
| | |
| ENG-110 | Introduction to Technical Writing | 3 |
-
| Or | |
| SPH-131 | Fundamentals of Communication | 3 |
-
| Or | |
| ENG-103 | Composition II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Fall Start Cohort Sequence
Semester I - FALL
| AVM-101 | Materials and Processes | 3 |
| AVM-102 | Basic Electricity | 3 |
| AVM-103 | Aviation Mathematics and Physics | 2 |
| AVM-104 | Records and Publications | 3 |
| AVM-105 | Aircraft Drawing-Weight & Balance | 3 |
| AVM-249 | Aircraft Fuel Systems | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Semester II - SPRING
| AVM-245 | Aircraft Electrical Systems | 3 |
| AVM-247 | Aircraft Metal Structures | 6 |
| AVM-248 | Hydraulic & Pneumatic Control Systems | 3 |
| AVM-250 | Assembly and Rigging | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Semester III - SUMMER
| AVM-106 | Cleaning and Corrosion Control | 3 |
| AVM-246 | Aircraft Instrument and Communication Systems | 2 |
| AVM-251 | Landing Gears Systems | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Semester IV - FALL
| AVM-162 | Reciprocating Engines | 6 |
| AVM-241 | Aircraft Finishing and Covering | 3 |
| AVM-242 | Cabin Atmosphere Control Systems | 2 |
| AVM-243 | Aircraft Welding | 1 |
| AVM-244 | Aircraft Auxiliary Systems | 1 |
| AVM-252 | Airframe Inspection | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
*Eligible for FAA Mechanics Certification with an Airframe Rating
Semester V - SPRING
| AVM-160 | Fuel and Lubrication Systems | 6 |
| AVM-163 | Ignition Systems | 3 |
| AVM-164 | Advanced Powerplants | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Semester VI - SUMMER
| AVM-161 | Engine Support Systems | 3 |
| AVM-165 | Engine Electrical Systems | 2 |
| AVM-166 | Propeller Systems | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Spring Start Cohort Sequence
Semester I - SPRING
| AVM-101 | Materials and Processes | 3 |
| AVM-102 | Basic Electricity | 3 |
| AVM-103 | Aviation Mathematics and Physics | 2 |
| AVM-104 | Records and Publications | 3 |
| AVM-105 | Aircraft Drawing-Weight & Balance | 3 |
| AVM-249 | Aircraft Fuel Systems | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Semester II - SUMMER
| AVM-106 | Cleaning and Corrosion Control | 3 |
| AVM-246 | Aircraft Instrument and Communication Systems | 2 |
| AVM-251 | Landing Gears Systems | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Semester III - FALL
| AVM-245 | Aircraft Electrical Systems | 3 |
| AVM-247 | Aircraft Metal Structures | 6 |
| AVM-248 | Hydraulic & Pneumatic Control Systems | 3 |
| AVM-250 | Assembly and Rigging | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Semester IV - SPRING
| AVM-162 | Reciprocating Engines | 6 |
| AVM-241 | Aircraft Finishing and Covering | 3 |
| AVM-242 | Cabin Atmosphere Control Systems | 2 |
| AVM-243 | Aircraft Welding | 1 |
| AVM-244 | Aircraft Auxiliary Systems | 1 |
| AVM-252 | Airframe Inspection | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
*Eligible for FAA Mechanics Certification with an Airframe Rating
Semester V - SUMMER
| AVM-161 | Engine Support Systems | 3 |
| AVM-165 | Engine Electrical Systems | 2 |
| AVM-166 | Propeller Systems | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Semester VI - FALL
| AVM-160 | Fuel and Lubrication Systems | 6 |
| AVM-163 | Ignition Systems | 3 |
| AVM-164 | Advanced Powerplants | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Powerplant Added Rating
Student holds a FAA mechanics Certificate with Airframe rating. This may be obtained through 18 months of practical aircraft maintenance experience. This experience may be obtained through military service, or civil aircraft maintenance experience. Experience will be verified by the Federal Aviation Administration and the applicant will receive permission to take the written, oral, and practical examinations leading to mechanics certification.
Semester III - SUMMER
| AVM-161 | Engine Support Systems | 3 |
| AVM-165 | Engine Electrical Systems | 2 |
| AVM-166 | Propeller Systems | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Semester II - FALL or SPRING
Semester I - FALL or SPRING
Total Credit Hours: 29
Airframe Added Rating
Student holds a FAA mechanics Certificate with Powerplant Rating. This may be obtained through 18 months of practical aircraft maintenance experience. This experience may be obtained through military service, or civil aircraft maintenance experience. Experience will be verified by the Federal Aviation Administration and the applicant will receive permission to take the written, oral, and practical examinations leading to mechanics certification.
Semester I - FALL or SPRING
| AVM-245 | Aircraft Electrical Systems | 3 |
| AVM-247 | Aircraft Metal Structures | 6 |
| AVM-248 | Hydraulic & Pneumatic Control Systems | 3 |
| AVM-250 | Assembly and Rigging | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Semester II - FALL or SPRING
| AVM-241 | Aircraft Finishing and Covering | 3 |
| AVM-242 | Cabin Atmosphere Control Systems | 2 |
| AVM-243 | Aircraft Welding | 1 |
| AVM-244 | Aircraft Auxiliary Systems | 1 |
| AVM-249 | Aircraft Fuel Systems | 1 |
| AVM-252 | Airframe Inspection | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Semester III - SUMMER
| AVM-246 | Aircraft Instrument and Communication Systems | 2 |
| AVM-251 | Landing Gears Systems | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 5 |
Total Credit Hours: 30