Lansing Community College offers comprehensive aviation maintenance technology programs at their state-of-the-art Aviation Maintenance Technology Center located at Mason Jewett Field. The facility features industry-current equipment, large and small aircraft, turbine and jet engines, traditional aircraft construction materials, and advanced composite materials, all housed in modern classrooms, computer labs, and specialized bay workstations.
Quick Facts
- Length: 16 Months to 24 Mnths
- Cost: $10,000 to $27,000
- Location: Lansing, MI
- Website: https://www.lcc.edu/academics/transportation/aviation/index.html
Aviation Maintenance Technology Programs
All courses must be completed with a minimum 2.0 grade, and students who complete both airframe and powerplant training become eligible for FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic licensure, positioning them for high-demand careers in commercial aviation, corporate flight departments, and specialized aviation businesses worldwide.
Airframe Maintenance Technology, AAS
The Airframe Maintenance Technology Associate of Applied Science degree covers airframe maintenance practices, aircraft structural repair, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, flight control operations, fuel system maintenance, and electrical system diagnosis.
Curriculum
The curriculum includes foundational courses in aviation general studies, materials and processes, aircraft systems, structures, electrical systems, and welding. General education requirements in communication, English composition, mathematics, humanities, and natural sciences are integrated throughout the program.
Aviation specific courses include:
AVAF 125 Aircraft Systems I covers fuel management and transfer systems including defueling procedures and fuel pump operations. Students learn inspection, checking, servicing, troubleshooting and repair techniques for aircraft fuel systems and components with emphasis on fluid quantity indicating systems, pressure monitoring and warning systems.
AVAF 126 Aircraft Systems II focuses on aircraft landing gear and brake systems analysis and repair along with their associated warning systems. The course provides comprehensive training in inspection, servicing and repair of hydraulic and pneumatic systems and related components used in modern aircraft operations.
AVAF 127 Aircraft Systems III covers environmental and safety systems including heating, cooling, air-conditioning, pressurization and oxygen systems. Students learn inspection, troubleshooting, servicing and repair procedures for ice and rain control systems as well as fire protection systems critical to aircraft safety.
AVAF 134 Aircraft Instruments provides training in electronic flight instrument systems covering both mechanical and electrical speed, altitude, temperature, pressure and flow measurement systems. The course includes specialized removal and installation techniques for aircraft instruments along with inspection, checking, servicing and troubleshooting procedures.
AVAF 140 Aircraft Welding presents welding applications and methods specifically used in aircraft structural repairs and inspections following approved aviation maintenance techniques. Students must provide their own safety equipment including safety glasses, pliers, leather welding gloves and leather work boots for hands-on welding practice.
AVAF 208 Aircraft Structures I introduces identification, inspection, testing and repair procedures for wood, fabric-covered and sheet metal aircraft structures. The course covers conventional rivet installation and removal, aircraft sheet metal forming, special rivet and fastener installation, and application of finishing materials to aircraft surfaces.
AVAF 209 Aircraft Structures II covers assembly and rigging procedures for both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft control structures. Students gain practical experience in removal, installation and adjustment of flight controls through balancing techniques, cable tension adjustments and motion studies while learning aircraft inspection procedures to ensure flight safety standards compliance.
AVAF 210 Aircraft Structures III provides advanced training in aircraft sheet metal inspection, repair, layout, bending and assembly techniques. The course covers inspection, testing and repair of modern materials including fiberglass, plastics, honeycomb, composite and laminated structures along with installation and removal of specialized fasteners and servicing of aircraft windows, doors and interior furnishings.
AVAF 211 Aircraft Electrical I concentrates on theory, calculation and measurement of alternating current electrical systems in aviation applications. Students learn to read and interpret aircraft electrical circuit diagrams including solid-state devices and logic functions while practicing installation, checking and servicing of airframe and engine wiring, controls, switches, indicators and protective devices.
AVAF 212 Aircraft Electrical II emphasizes repair of airframe and engine electrical system components with focus on inspection, checking, servicing and repair of both alternating and direct current systems. The course provides extensive practice in general troubleshooting techniques with special emphasis on AC and DC electrical system diagnosis and repair.
AVAF 246 Airframe Certification covers Federal Aviation Regulations pertaining to national certification as a licensed airframe mechanic. The course includes comprehensive testing in all required study areas as preparation for receiving authorization to take the general and airframe national certification examinations administered by Federal Aviation Administration representatives.
AVGM 111 Aviation General I develops skills and knowledge required for aircraft weighing and appropriate data recording procedures. The course involves mathematical and basic physics principles related to aviation including aerodynamics, theory of flight, aircraft structural design and simple machine applications in aviation contexts.
AVGM 112 Aviation General II introduces Federal Aviation Regulations involving mechanic privileges, limitations and related aviation operations. The course covers selection and use of aviation publications, maintenance forms, records, reports, aircraft drawings, graphs, charts, symbols, blueprints and system schematics along with aircraft ground operations and servicing procedures.
AVGM 113 Aviation General III offers instruction in basic electrical theory and aviation applications including calculation and measurement of voltage, current, resistance, continuity and power. Students learn theory, inspection and servicing of aircraft lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries while constructing volt-ohm meters for practical electrical measurement experience.
AVGM 114 Materials and Processes covers identification and selection of appropriate aviation hardware, hand tools, cleaning materials, fluid lines and nondestructive testing methods. The course includes performance of nondestructive testing, precision measurements, aircraft cleaning and corrosion control, plus fabrication, installation and testing of fluid lines used in aircraft systems.
You can find more curriculum details in the course catalog:
Cost & Duration
Total program cost is $26,885 for in-district students and $42,395 for in-state students. It is a comprehensive 24-month program spanning 6 semesters. Students complete 76 credit hours.
Powerplant Maintenance Technology, AAS
The Powerplant Maintenance Technology Associate of Applied Science degree focuses on aircraft engine maintenance including reciprocating and turbine engines, propeller systems, ignition systems, fuel metering, and powerplant instruments. Students master troubleshooting techniques for induction, cooling, exhaust, electrical, starting, and lubrication systems.
Curriculum
Like the airframe degree, this program includes general education requirements and prepares graduates for FAA certification examinations.
Aviation coursework includes:
AVGM 111 Aviation General I develops skills and knowledge required for aircraft weighing and appropriate data recording procedures. The course involves mathematical and basic physics principles related to aviation including aerodynamics, theory of flight, aircraft structural design and simple machine applications in aviation contexts.
AVGM 112 Aviation General II introduces Federal Aviation Regulations involving mechanic privileges, limitations and related aviation operations. The course covers selection and use of aviation publications, maintenance forms, records, reports, aircraft drawings, graphs, charts, symbols, blueprints and system schematics along with aircraft ground operations and servicing procedures.
AVGM 113 Aviation General III offers instruction in basic electrical theory and aviation applications including calculation and measurement of voltage, current, resistance, continuity and power. Students learn theory, inspection and servicing of aircraft lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries while constructing volt-ohm meters for practical electrical measurement experience.
AVGM 114 Materials and Processes covers identification and selection of appropriate aviation hardware, hand tools, cleaning materials, fluid lines and nondestructive testing methods. The course includes performance of nondestructive testing, precision measurements, aircraft cleaning and corrosion control, plus fabrication, installation and testing of fluid lines used in aircraft systems.
AVPP 241 Reciprocating Engine presents theory and practices for removal, inspection, overhaul, service, repair and installation of reciprocating engines. The course includes comprehensive study of inspection, service, repair and troubleshooting procedures for reciprocating engine lubrication systems essential to engine operation and longevity.
AVPP 251 Reciprocating Engine Systems covers inspection, servicing, troubleshooting and repair of reciprocating engine cooling and exhaust systems. Students learn inspection requirements necessary to meet established conformity and airworthiness standards while conducting reciprocating engine operations and adjustments using FAA and maintenance publication procedures.
AVPP 253 Reciprocating Ignition Systems covers operation, analysis, inspection, service and repair of reciprocating engine ignition systems and components. The course provides comprehensive training in magnetos, ignition harnesses, spark plugs and starter systems essential to reliable engine ignition and operation.
AVPP 255 Reciprocating Induction Systems focuses on study and analysis of reciprocating engine fuel systems and components including inspection, checking, servicing, troubleshooting and repair procedures. Students learn carburetor overhaul procedures along with maintenance of water injection systems, heat exchangers, superchargers, intake and induction manifolds and other fuel system components.
AVPP 257 Aircraft Propeller Systems covers study, analysis, service and repair of aircraft propellers, systems and controls including propeller synchronizing and ice control systems. The course includes lubrication, balancing, pitch control and repair procedures along with removal and installation techniques for both fixed-pitch and variable-pitch propellers.
AVPP 259 Turbine Engine I covers theory of operation and design of varied turbine engine powerplants and turbine-driven auxiliary power unit types. The course provides comprehensive study of induction and cooling systems for each type of turbine engine used in modern aviation applications.
AVPP 261 Turbine Engine II covers inspection, checking, servicing, repair, removal, installation and troubleshooting of turbine engines and systems. The course includes detailed study of lubrication systems and inspection procedures to ensure conformity with FAA specifications and standards for turbine engine maintenance.
AVPP 263 Turbine Engine Systems provides detailed study of turbine-engine ignition systems, pneumatic and electric starters, exhaust and thrust reverser systems, and fire detection and protection systems. Students learn inspection, checking, servicing, repair and troubleshooting procedures for fuel metering and electronic fuel control systems and components.
AVPP 265 Powerplant Instruments covers inspection and repair of turbine and reciprocating engine instruments including troubleshooting of mechanical and electrical systems. The course focuses on fluid rate-of-flow, temperature, pressure, RPM and airflow indicators essential to engine monitoring and safe operation.
AVPP 267 Powerplant Certification covers Federal Aviation Regulations pertaining to national certification as a licensed powerplant mechanic. The course includes comprehensive testing in all required study areas as preparation for receiving authorization to take powerplant national certification examinations administered by Federal Aviation Administration representatives.
Cost & Duration
This AAS is a comprehensive 24-month program spanning 6 semesters with 77 credit hours. Total program cost is $26,885 for in-district students and $42,395 for in-state students.
Certificate Programs
Airframe Maintenance Technology, CA
The Airframe Maintenance Technology Certificate of Achievement concentrates specifically on airframe maintenance competencies including flight control rigging, structural repair, and system maintenance. The program follows a spring-summer-fall sequence, making it ideal for students seeking specialized airframe knowledge without general education requirements.
Cost & Duration
The 18-month program spans3 semesters and requires 39 credit hours. Estimated program cost is $20,166 for in-district students and $31,797 for in-state students (calculated based on 18 months of the annual costs provided).
Basic Aviation Technology, CC
The Basic Aviation Technology Certificate of Completion covers fundamental aviation maintenance practices, aircraft ground handling, fueling procedures, equipment identification, and airport operations. This certificate serves as the foundation for all other aviation programs and can be applied toward the full Airframe and Powerplant License.
Cost & Duration
The foundational 4-month program can be completed in one fall semester. Students earn 19 credit hours. Estimated program cost: $6,381 for in-district students and $10,161 for in-state students (calculated based on 4 months of the annual costs provided).
Powerplant Maintenance Technology, CA
The Powerplant Maintenance Technology Certificate of Achievement focuses exclusively on powerplant maintenance competencies including engine overhaul, repair procedures, ignition and fuel system maintenance, and engine electrical system diagnosis. The program follows a summer-fall-spring-summer sequence, providing concentrated training in engine maintenance technologies.
Cost & Duration
It is an intensive 16-month program spanning 4 semesters with 40 credit hours. Estimated program cost is $17,907 for in-district students and $28,263 for in-state students (calculated based on 16 months of the annual costs provided).
School Accreditation and Features
Lansing Community College’s Aviation Technology programs are fully accredited by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and recognized as one of Delta Air Lines’ national partner programs.
The college maintains an open enrollment policy and offers extensive financial assistance through the LCC Foundation.
Students benefit from hands-on training with industry-current equipment, and many receive multiple job offers before program completion. The programs provide transfer opportunities to Western Michigan University and Siena Heights University for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees.