Many helicopter repair schools provide students with an aviation program certificate, and then the rest of the training is done on the job. Crimson Technical College in Inglewood, California, offers a program such as this. The course trains students to become Airframe and Powerplant technicians. The school is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This type of helicopter repair technician maintains the helicopter and keeps the helicopter safe during flight. Students learn to maintain the helicopter engine, communications equipment, flight control systems and aviation regulations by using modern diagnostic and technical equipment.
Helicopter repair schools train students to become avionics maintenance technicians. Avionics involves the electrical side of the helicopter, including the radar, communications and navigation systems and all of the instruments. The sophisticated equipment in helicopters requires a helicopter technician who specializes in making these kinds of repairs. The Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has an FAA approved training program that offers students an associate's degree in this field. The course combines aviation maintenance with avionics maintenance so that the technician also has a working knowledge of the mechanics of the helicopter.
The aviation technology programs provided at some helicopter repair schools offer bachelor's degrees in science. Everglades University in Boca Raton, Florida, provides the prospective helicopter repair student with a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation technology. This four-year FAA approved helicopter repair school offers qualified students the opportunity to take certification exams in multiple aircraft programs, including helicopters. A total of 123 credit hours are required to complete the course program at Everglades University, or at another similar college. Beside the required general education courses, students take courses in advanced aviation technologies, FAA regulations, turbine engine maintenance and repair, as well as a host of other helicopter repair courses.
Helicopter repair schools offer students advanced training courses such as aeronautical engineering technology. Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana, is a good example of this type of helicopter repair school. The program concentrates on the repair and maintenance of aircraft, including helicopters, and also the design and fabrication of the helicopter. This type of course qualifies students to take multiple FAA certification exams such as the Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic certification. Students also learn aircraft science, electrical systems, aircraft construction and other helicopter engineering technologies.