The Aviation Institute of Maintenance offers Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved maintenance training programs. Students can study the Aviation Maintenance Technical Engineer program or the Airframe Maintenance Technician program. The first program prepares students to take the FAA Airframe and Powerplant licensing exam and the second prepares students for entry-level positions in airframe maintenance. The school also offers two associate degrees in occupational aviation technology or applied aviation technology. These associate degrees also prepare graduates for the FAA certification. The Institute has campus locations in nine states in the U.S.
Sacramento City College also offers an associate degree in the areas of airframe technology and a combined associate degree in airframe and powerplant technology. The programs are FAA approved and prepare students for jobs as aircraft technicians once the graduate has passed the FAA certification process. The programs include helicopter-specific courses such as Bell Series 47 component overhaul, Bell 47 Series helicopter field maintenance, helicopter rotor and drive systems and Bell helicopter composite blade repair. Some of the courses are designed for students who have completed the FAA certification. These courses may require applicants to also have experience working as an aircraft mechanic, as a prerequisite to entry.
Students who already have the FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification can specialize in helicopters in a course provided by the Southern University of Illinois in Carbondale. The course forms a specialization track in the university's bachelor of science degree. The program covers such helicopter models as those made by Bell, Sikorsky and Boeing. Students learn advanced skills in helicopter maintenance, overhaul, theory and inspection. The university also offers preparatory training for students to pass the FAA certification.
Arizona State University offers a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering. Graduates can find jobs in aircraft design and engineering. The admission requirements to the program include Scholastic Aptitude Test scores of 1140 math and verbal combined, or a minimum of an American College Test combined score of 24. Alternatively, applicants can have a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or above, or a class ranking in the top 25 percent of their high school class. Applicants must also have a good academic math and science background.
The University of Maryland's Department of Engineering offers a masters in aerospace engineering. Students can take technical electives in helicopter dynamics and helicopter aerodynamics and the core courses cover the dynamics of rigid and non-rigid bodies. As an alternative to a master's degree, students can also take some of the master's courses to gain a graduate certificate in engineering.