Aviation Academy

Why Aviation?

Some students look up at a passing plane and feel a spark, the beginning of a lifelong fascination with flight. ALA Applied Technologies’ Aviation Academy turns that spark into a clear career path. Over four years, students choose either Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) or Aviation Transportation (AT) and take on hands-on projects such as:

Troubleshooting turbine engines
Logging simulated flight hours
Reading FAA weather charts
Flying drones through obstacle courses

The labs feature real aircraft components, industry-standard tools, and full-motion flight simulators, giving students experience that connects directly to aviation careers. AT students can earn college credit through Utah State University, while AMT students prepare for FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification. With small class sizes and instructors who have real-world experience, students build practical skills that go far beyond the classroom.

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Why Aviation Maintenance Technician? (AMT)

The AMT track is a four‑year hands on program focused on keeping airplanes airworthy. With hands-on training such as:

Assembling/Dissassembling real engines
Balancing Propellers
Running non-destructive tests on airframes
Rebuilding fuel, Hydraulic, and Electrical systems

All supervised by experienced instructors with backgrounds in regional jets and corporate turbofans.

Why Aviation Transportation? (AT)

The Aviation Transportation track begins as early as 10th grade. Students have the opportunity to:

Dive into pilot ground school,
Decode aviation‑weather charts,
Master aircraft systems
Practice radio calls in tower‑simulator labs

Those who clear an FAA medical exam can solo an aircraft at 16 and sit for a Private Pilot Certificate at 17; students who choose not to fly still graduate with the technical know‑how to dispatch flights, manage airports, or design the next generation of airframes.

Aircraft Mechanics Work-Based Internship

For students who meet the program’s 16‑year‑old minimum, 3.0 GPA, and coordinator recommendation, the internship replaces the traditional classroom for 120 on‑the‑job hours at an approved MRO, FBO, or airline facility. You’ll turn wrenches under a certified technician, log tasks in a portfolio, and receive employer and instructor evaluations. The experience awards up to 1.0 CTE/elective credit and often leads directly to paid apprenticeships or part‑time employment after graduation.

Certificate Readiness

FAA Airframe & Powerplant ("A&P") Certificate

Our Aviation Academy prepares students for all three FAA mechanic ratings. The General section lays the foundation in physics, math, and maintenance practices; the Airframe rating focuses on aircraft structures and systems; and the Powerplant rating covers piston and turbine engines. Earning these certificates proves you can inspect, maintain, and repair today’s fleet with precision and safety.

Key FAA Resources

FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test Eligibility

Before you can sit for the FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) Knowledge Test, you must meet age, training, and endorsement requirements. In general, applicants must be at least 15 to take the test for a glider or balloon rating (16 for airplanes), have logged ground-school instruction that covers all subject areas in FAR 61.105, and hold an instructor’s written endorsement verifying readiness. Passing this exam is the first formal step toward earning your Private Pilot Certificate.

Essential FAA Reference

FAA Testing Matrix – eligibility details, required IDs, and test codes

FAA CFR Part 107 – Remote Pilot Certificate (sUAS)

Part 107 sets the rules for flying small drones commercially in the United States. To operate under this regulation, a pilot must earn a Remote Pilot Certificate by passing the FAA aeronautical-knowledge test (or completing online training if already Part 61 certificated), clearing TSA security vetting, and maintaining recurrent training every 24 months. The credential shows you understand airspace, weather, operating requirements, and safety procedures for small-unmanned aircraft.

Essential FAA Reference

Become a Certificated Remote Pilot (official eligibility, testing, and application steps)

Private Pilot Certifcate (Post-Solo)

After soloing, a student pilot begins the log-building stage that leads to the Private Pilot check-ride. Under an instructor’s supervision you’ll complete the remaining aeronautical-experience items in FAR 61.109: cross-country flights, night operations, instrument training, and advanced maneuvers. Your CFI will add the required endorsements (see AC 61-65J) and, once you meet the flight-time minimums and performance standards in the Airman Certification Standards (ACS), you’ll be eligible for the practical test that issues the Private Pilot Certificate.

Key FAA References

Advisory Circular 61-65J (endorsements & post-solo guidance)
Private Pilot Airplane ACS (performance standards for the check-ride)
Flight-time minimums FAQ (at least 40 hours total, incl. solo & dual)

Career Opportunities

Aircraft Maintenance / Service Technician ~ ($71k)

These technicians inspect, troubleshoot, repair and sign off everything from landing-gear hydraulics to flight-deck avionics. Most earn FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificates and log recurrent training to keep pace with new composites and digital diagnostics. Median U.S. pay is just under $79 K, with newcomers starting in the high-40s and master techs clearing six figures.

Shop Lead / Crew Chief (A&P + Experiences) ~ ($85k)

The crew chief is the hangar’s go-to problem-solver—coordinating workflow, authorizing logbook releases, and mentoring junior A&P mechanics. Duties include quality-control signoffs, FAR-145 compliance, and real-time decisions that keep aircraft on schedule. Pay climbs into the mid-80s once you pair an A&P license with five-plus years of heavy-maintenance leadership.

Powerplant Specialist ~ ($78k)

Commercial / Airline Pilot ~ ($149k)

From regional turboprops to trans-Pacific wide-bodies, airline and commercial pilots plan flights, manage cockpit crews, and make split-second weather and systems calls. They hold at minimum an FAA Commercial or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate plus type ratings. Median pay is roughly $123 K for commercial pilots and more than $226 K for major-airline captains; a broad mid-career average lands near $149 K.

Aeronautical Engineer ~ ($122k)

These engineers design airframes, flight-control algorithms, propulsion layouts, and even Mars-lander heat shields. Tasks range from CFD modeling to flight-test data crunching. A bachelor’s (often master’s) in aerospace engineering and proficiency in tools like CATIA or MATLAB are standard. Median salary sits around $135 K, with entry roles near $85 K and senior engineers clearing $200 K.

Airport / Aviation Operations Manager ~ ($103k)

Meet the Coordinator

Dr. Bobby Martin

Dr. Bobby Martin, a seasoned aviation expert with 43 years of experience, holds a Doctorate in Business Administration. Dr. Martin has a rich background in both military and civilian sectors, specializing in both aircraft maintenance and defense & space program management. With over 25 years of teaching experience at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Dr. Martin's leadership in the Aviation Academy at ALA Applied Technologies is invaluable

Student Testimonial

Hear from Our Students

Hear from one of our students about their experience at our school and learn more about how the supportive teachers, collaborative environment, and hands-on learning opportunities make each day exciting and valuable!

Explore the Aviation Academy

ATHS Aviation Plane in hanger with flag in background

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Aviation Academy at ALA Applied Technologies?

The Aviation Academy at ALA Applied Technologies is a specialized track within our tuition-free trade school in AZ that gives students real-world training in aircraft systems, flight operations, and drone piloting. Students choose between two career-focused pathways:

Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT): Focuses on the repair, structure, and mechanical systems of aircraft.
Aviation Transportation (AT): Covers pilot ground school, air traffic control, aviation weather, plane systems, and drone operations.

What kind of hands-on experience do students get in this program?

Students work with actual aircraft components, tools used by aviation professionals, and even flight simulators. They participate in project-based learning that mirrors real aviation careers—everything from troubleshooting engines to navigating airspace rules. Our program provides immersive labs that help students build tangible technical skills in aviation mechanics and flight systems.

What certifications can students earn in the Aviation Academy?

Can students earn college credit while still in high school?

Who leads the Aviation Academy?

What kind of careers can students pursue after graduating from this program?

What makes this program unique compared to other trade schools in AZ?

ALA Applied Technologies blends rigorous academics with specialized applied technology training, all within a supportive high school environment. Students gain access to FAA-aligned curriculum, experienced aviation leadership, dual enrollment opportunities, and hands-on labs—making it one of the most robust aviation career prep programs available at any Arizona trade school.

Ready For Takeoff?

Have questions about the ALA Aviation Academy? We're here to help! Contact us to learn more about our unique aviation curriculum, experienced instructors, and how your student can gain real-world skills in this high-demand field, or schedule a campus tour today and see firsthand how American Leadership Academy is preparing the next generation of aviation professionals!

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