Aviation Maintenance

Students working with program director on engines in aviation hangar. Workforce Institute.
At a Glance

Steps to enroll:

LLCC's Workforce Institute is home to the only aviation mechanics program in central Illinois.

You can prepare for an exciting and rewarding career in aviation mechanics in approximately 18 months! Airframe and powerplant (A&P) technicians maintain and troubleshoot the complex systems that an aircraft contains — turbine and piston engines, electrical systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, sheet metal, communication, navigation, cooling exhaust and more. They help keep the world moving and travelers safe.

Complete an aviation degree or certificate! View upcoming start times.

Upcoming Information Sessions

Attend an information session this fall to learn more about LLCC's Aviation Maintenance program. Events will be held at the Levi, Ray and Shoup, Inc. Aviation Center at LLCC, 815 South Airport Drive, Springfield.

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 9:30 a.m.

Register for an Info Session

Degrees & Certs

LLCC offers the following associate degree and certificate programs to successfully equip you for a career in aviation.

Aviation Airframe Technician • Certificate of Achievement

Time to complete: 10 months

Aviation Powerplant Technician • Certificate of Achievement

Time to complete: 10 months

Aviation Management • Associate in Applied Science

Time of completion: 2 years

Airframe and Powerplant Aviation Mechanics • Associate in Applied Science

Time of completion: 2 years

Job Outlook

Cost

For the 2024-2025 academic year (fall 2024, spring 2025 and summer 2025), Aviation (AVI) classes have a tuition rate of $350 per credit hour for in-district residents. Get more information on tuition and fees.

Students are required to have a basic set of tools, books and uniform shirts, sold separately.

Learn more about cost of attendance.

Financial aid is available to those who qualify. There are ways to get help paying for college. Learn more about paying for college.

Estimated costs

Estimated costs (tuition and fees) for aviation programs as of June 2024.

Associate degree programs

  • Airframe and Powerplant Aviation Mechanics Associate in Applied Science: A total of 1,927.50 hours of classroom and lab instruction is required for AVI program classes. Classes include: AVI 103-110, AVI 199, AVI 111-120, and AVI 121-131. An additional 15 credit hours of General Education classes are required to earn this degree. Cost is estimated at $26,496 plus books, tools, uniforms and federal testing.
  • Aviation Management Associate in Applied Science: Aviation management (AVM) classes have a standard in-district tuition rate of $140 per credit hour. Cost is estimated at $9,828 plus books.

Certificate programs

  • Aviation Powerplant Technician Certificate of Achievement:  A total of 1,170 hours of classroom and lab instruction is required for AVI program classes. Classes include: AVI 103-110, AVI 199, and AVI 121-131. Cost is estimated at $15,006 plus books, tools, uniforms and federal testing.
  • Aviation Airframe Technician Certificate of Achievement: A total of 1,170 hours of classroom and lab instruction is required for AVI program classes. Classes include: AVI 103-110, AVI 199, and AVI 111-120. Cost is estimated at $15,372 plus books, tools, uniforms and federal testing.
    • Interested in earning both certificates? A total of 1,927.50 hours of classroom and lab instruction is required for AVI program classes. Classes include: AVI 103-110, AVI 199, AVI 111-120 & AVI 121-131. Cost is estimated at $24,156 plus books, tools, uniforms and federal testing.

Additional costs (aviation programs only)

  • Books: $309.50 before tax
  • Tools: $5,121.47 before tax (Snap On brand). Other options available.
  • Uniform Shirts: $16 each before tax. Button-up work shirt - $32 each before tax.
  • Federal Testing: $475 per section, three sections

Getting Started

Questions and tours

General questions about aviation programs? Looking to schedule a tour or learn how to hire our graduates? Contact David Pietrzak, at 217-544-4965 or email David.

Attend an information session this fall to learn more about LLCC's Aviation Maintenance program. Events will be held at the Levi, Ray and Shoup, Inc. Aviation Center at LLCC, 815 South Airport Drive, Springfield.

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 9:30 a.m.

Register for an Info Session

Ready to enroll?

Schedule a meeting with David Pietrzak (or call 217-544-4965). We will work with you to understand our programs, admission requirements and steps to enroll! These well-paying careers need trained workers now and in the future.

Classes

Explore available aviation mechanics classes and aviation management classes in LoggerCentral. Students need to consult with program director/enrollment specialist before registering.

Spring 2025 Cohort

Schedule

Start Date: Jan. 8, 2025
End Date: June 10, 2026
Time: Mon.-Thurs., 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

  • Spring 2025: Jan 8-May 14; break May 15-May 26
  • Summer 2025: May 27-July 28; break July 29-Aug. 10
  • Fall 2025: Aug. 11-Dec. 18; break Dec. 19-Jan. 4
  • Spring 2026: Jan. 5-May 13; break May 14-May 25
  • Summer 2026: May 26-June 10

LLCC’s Aviation Management program introduces students to business aviation operations including:

  • What a pilot needs to know to fly
  • How the airspace is regulated to keep flight safe and organized
  • Rules and law in the aviation industry
  • What it takes to operate an aviation business

Upon completion of this program, a student can go on to a career in airport management, air traffic control, aircraft business operations and flight operations, or transfer to a four-year degree program.

LLCC’s Aviation Mechanics program prepares students to take the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification exam for airframe and powerplant mechanics and, at the same time, work toward an associate in applied science degree. The program emphasizes hands-on experience with the repair and maintenance of modern engines and airframes.

The program covers 34 subject areas and includes 1,927.5 hours of instruction. Students can meet the requirements in as little as 10 months to receive the airframe certificate or the powerplant certificate; 18 months for both A&P. The associate in applied science degree usually requires an additional semester to complete.

Note: Students may elect to only take general and airframe, or general and powerplant sections. Providing they meet FAA requirements, they may only need to take one of the sections.

After students have met all of the FAA requirements, they take three written tests (with an approved test facility) and then test with an FAA trained designated mechanic examiner who will administer an oral and practical test and then issue the A&P certificate.

LLCC operates under FAR (Federal Aviation Regulations) Part 147, certifying the school as a training facility. The FAA regulation provides LLCC with the guidelines for developing the curriculum — the subjects, the level of instruction and the number of total hours that are required. Our instructors are required to be certified as airframe and powerplant technicians and have current work experience. The program teaches students the basic skills and fundamentals of aviation maintenance, so when completed, they meet the FAA requirements to test for an A&P certificate.