Valley College to offer new FAA-certified aircraft mechanics licenses

San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) has partnered with Certified Aviation Services to offer students a new pathway for a career in aircraft maintenance. The first classes began in January at the San Bernardino International Airport, and prepare students to qualify for the airframe and powerplant certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It will take a minimum of two years for a student to complete the program.

“SBVC has had an Aeronautics program for decades,” instructor Kenneth Wilkerson said. “Our partnership with CAS is to offer the students practical work experience and job placement in addition to the classes they receive here.”

There is a shortage of aircraft mechanics now working in the United States, and Certified Aviation Services owner David Brown says his company can “see the handwriting on the wall” that the nation needs to train more people to service and repair airframe and powerplant systems.

“A career in commercial aviation offers an unfettered opportunity to carve out a well-paying, stable job,” Brown said. “It’s not unusual to expect an initial starting pay in the $50,000 to $70,000 range. This provides a good opportunity for fiscal development as well as a career a person can be very proud of.”