Expert: Ismar Avdic, Eng. - 5/23/2007

Question
My son is in high school (11th grade) and is interested in becoming a helicopter mechanic. We are in Southern Californ. Where can he learn this skill and receive the proper certifications.
Thank you


Answer
Blanca!
I am glad that your son expressed that wish. In order to become an helicopter mehanic he ha to attend an aviation college with approved aviation mechanic (A&P) program.
There is numerous community colleges in Southern California that facilitate an Aviation A&P Airframe Powerplant program. It usually takes about 2000 hours depends from to other school. I have personally graduated from an A&P program from Long Beach Community College and it did take me about 1 year and half to finish an FAA approved A&P program, and that is pretty fast.Some other schools takes you almost 2500 hrs to finish program. You have to understand that any program will not give him license, it will give him certificate that he completed required FAA training for aviation mechanic, after he completes program he will be able to take an Oral and Practical test with an A&P aviation mechanic exam with FAA administative examiner. When he complete that exam he will receive temporary licence as an aviation mechanic. He will be able to perform aviation maintenance with any type of aircraft, it means airplanes, helicopters, commercial airliners, and so on. Also, I want to mention that he will be required to attend all classes mandatory, he will not be able to miss hours, rule in Long Beach College is if he student miss 30 hrs or more from an class he will autamativcally be droped from class. Reason why is as I mention above each hour has to be logged and he has to complete all hours in order to get certificate. Also all rcords are submited to FAA for each applicant.
Advise me in what city you live so I can give you better idea about closest aviation college that have an A&P program.
It is known that probably one of the finest aviation A&P programs in USA is located at Orange Coast Community College. They do have huge facility and they have about 20 different airplanes that students practice in shop.

Be very careful with private aviation maintenance school like Westwind academy, their prices are obscene range from 20-40,000$ for complete program. However, for better quality in local community college you wil pay probably less then $2,000 including the books too.


Regards
Ismar