An Online or Traditional Aviation Degree Can Open Career Options

Why Enroll in an Aviation Degree Program?

The major airlines offer the best pay and benefits, so competition for those jobs is very competitive. Most people applying for jobs with major airlines, as well as those at commuter and regional airlines, first enroll in an on-campus or online program certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Approximately one-third of these schools offer 2-year or 4-year degrees in aviation maintenance management, aviation technology, or avionics.
Courses typically include:

• Aviation electronics (used in the construction of new aircraft)
• Aviation technology including turbine engines and composite materials
• Chemistry
• Computer science
• Electronics (this is particularly important for work in aircraft maintenance)
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Training in aviation tools and equipment
• Writing skills (useful in the required reports)

Aviation Career Opportunities

Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and service technicians conduct inspections, do scheduled maintenance, and perform necessary repairs.
Aircraft mechanics inspect all parts of the aircraft and perform preventive maintenance, keeping detailed records of their work. Within this overall title are:

• Airframe mechanics who work on everything except instruments, power plants, and propellers
• Powerplant mechanics who focus on engines and do limited work on propellers
• Combination airframe-and-powerplant mechanics who work on everything except the instruments
• Avionics technicians who work on the instruments, computers, and all components used for aircraft navigation, radio communications, and weather radar systems

To earn a certificate as an airframe or powerplant mechanic, you must meet the FAA requirement of 18 months of work experience. You can also get certified in both (the Airframe & Powerplant Certificate) with 30 months of experience. Or you can replace the required experience with an FAA-certified education program.

Aviation Job Prospects

Those who complete formal FAA-certified degree or certification programs usually have the best job opportunities. Aircraft mechanics should remain in high demand as employers' needs have been outpacing the number of aviation degree graduates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, they had median annual wages of $49,010 in 2007.
Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians

Laura Horwitz has worked as a freelance writer and researcher for seven years in both London and the US, focusing frequently on education and career advice. She has also taught English and journalism. She currently lives in Los Angeles.