Business Office:
5885 Haven Avenue
Rancho Cucamonga,
CA 91737
(909) 652-6828

Frequently Asked Questions (and the Answers)

Q. Who can enroll in the Chaffey College Aeronautics program?
A. Anyone eligible to enroll at Chaffey College can take the program. No prior mechanical experience is necessary. The program is excellent for those who are seeking a career in aviation maintenance, a foundation for higher education in aircraft maintenance or engineering, homebuilders, pilots, and aircraft owners.

Q. What can I do with an FAA Airframe and Power plant Certificate?
A. As a certificated mechanic, you are authorized to maintain and repair all civilian fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. This includes helicopters, small general aviation aircraft, large commercial transport aircraft and those in between.

Q. Do I have to obtain my FAA Airframe and Power plant certificates if I enroll in the program?
A. No, you do not. Although it is recommended that you do obtain the FAA certificates, it is not a requirement for enrollment in the program. An FAA mechanic certificate is required to perform maintenance and repairs on civilian aircraft. There are however, exceptions to this, such as working for an FAA certificated repair station, working for an aircraft manufacturer, or building an experimental aircraft (home built).

Q. Does Chaffey College offer a certificate for completion of this program?
A. Yes. Chaffey College offers individual school certificates for completion of the airframe section and the power plant section. Contact a counselor for specific information.

Q. How long does the program take to complete?
A. The program takes approximately 2 years to complete when attending full time. Full time is Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, or Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM.

Q. Can I enroll in the program part time?
A. Yes, you can. However, it will take longer than two years to complete the program. The lecture and lab courses are offered separately so students can enroll as needed to fit their schedule. The prerequisite courses must still be completed before advancing.

Q. Are the courses offered at night?
A. Currently, Chaffey College does not offer Aeronautics and night. This is however under consideration.

Q. Are any Aeronautics courses offered during the summer?
A. An open aeronautics lab is usually offered during the summer. Please check the school schedule for specific information.

Q. What are the requirements for obtaining the FAA Airframe and Power plant certificates?
A. There are two ways to obtain an FAA Airframe and Power plant Certificate: meet the minimum FAA work experience requirements (see the FAA web site or contact your local FAA office for details); OR, attend an FAA approved school. In an FAA approved school, students must complete a specific number of hours in the General, Airframe, and Power plant subject areas, as required by the FAA. In addition, there are required lecture topics and lab projects which must be completed. The required lecture topics and lab projects can normally be completed within the prescribed FAA hour requirements.

Q. Will I get any credit toward my Airframe and Power plant for any related education which is already completed?
A. The FAA requires completion of a specific number of hours and subjects, which must be carefully documented. This will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the instructors.

Q. Can I transfer to Chaffey College from another aviation maintenance school?
A. Yes. All hours and courses taken at any FAA part 147 approved aviation maintenance school can be transferred to the Chaffey College Aeronautics program. An official copy of transcripts and records of hours from the previous school will be required for an evaluation.

AS Degree Program

An associate's degree is available in Aeronautics. For a complete listing of classes required to earn an AS Degree in this program please refer to the major sheets listed here.

This program provides the training needed to become an Aviation Maintenance Technician. Students who successfully complete the program will have the experience required by the Federal Aviation Administration for certification as an Airframe or Power plant Mechanic. Airframe and Power plant technicians are in demand by airlines and aviation maintenance providers. The Aeronautics program at Chaffey College is fully approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to provide the 1900 hours of experience required to become an Airframe or Power plant technician. Students may earn an Associate degree and/or separate college certificates in Airframe or Power plant.

Full Time Faculty

	Russ Baty Aeronautics Office: AERO 1H 909)652-6869 russ.baty@chaffey.edu
	Larry Hultgren Aeronautics Office: AERO 1J 909)652-6868 larry.hultgren@chaffey.edu
	Jack Little Aeronautics Office: AERO 1G 909)652-6867 jack.little@chaffey.edu

jack.little@chaffey.edu

Take Your Career to New Heights in Aviation Maintenance

About the Program

The Chaffey College Aeronautics Program will prepare you with the skills necessary for an aviation maintenance career and also prepare you to successfully pass the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Power plant mechanic certificate tests. Our program is FAA approved under the Federal Aviation Regulations, part 147. An Associates Degree in Aeronautics may also be earned by completing the general education requirements in addition to the aeronautics curriculum. Chaffey College offers school certificates for completion of the Airframe and the Power plant curriculum. The Aeronautics courses are transferable to a four-year college.

The Chaffey College Airframe and Power plant program takes approximately two years to complete when attending full time. Full time is monday through thursday from 7:30 am. to 3:30 p.m. A lab only course is available on fridays to allow students who need to leave at 1:50 p.m. monday through thursday to complete the required hours. The courses are offered during the regular academic semesters in the fall and spring. Optional courses may be offered during the summer session, please check the summer schedule for specific information.


Benefits of having an Airframe and Power plant Certificate

• You can earn $25,000 to $80,000 per year.
• Exciting employment opportunities in aviation that include: airlines, corporate aviation, general aviation, repair stations, defense contractors and aircraft manufactures.
• Demand is high for A&P certificate holders in non-aviation fields. Opportunities include: facilities maintenance, power generation facilities maintenance, theme park maintenance, and heavy equipment maintenance.
• Ability to repair and maintain your own airplane.
• Learn the skills needed to build your own home built or experimental airplane

Program Details and Curriculum

The Aeronautics program is open to all students. No prior mechanical experience is needed or required. Obtaining your Airframe and/or Power plant certificates from the FAA is optional and is not an enrollment requirement for the Aeronautics program.

The Aeronautics curriculum starts with the General section.

General section includes entry level subjects such as aircraft familiarization; use of blueprints and manuals; math, physics, and electricity as applicable to aircraft maintenance; inspection techniques; drafting; welding; review of federal regulations; and basic maintenance processes.

Following the general program, students advance to either the airframe or power plant courses.

Airframe section subjects include: aircraft manufacturing and assembly processes; aircraft construction materials, such as sheet metal and composites; aircraft systems such as hydraulics, pneumatics, landing gear, flight controls, electrical and fuel.

Power plant section subjects include the inspection, overhaul and testing of piston engines and turbine engines, and the sub-systems for these engines. Other topics include engine fuel systems, ignition systems, engine electrical systems and propellers. Students will have the opportunity to test run the engine that they repair.


Success is the Key to Your Career

Chaffey College has a 100% first time pass rate on FAA tests in Airframe and Power plant, as tracked by the FAA.

The Chaffey College Aeronautics program is contacted regularly by recruiters due to the reputation of the program and the professionalism of previous graduates.