Career Opportunities

General aviation

Commercial airlines

Corporate aviation

Aircraft manufacturers

Contract repair facilities

Aviation-related maintenance activities

Professional Organizations
ATEC - Aviation Technician Education Council
PAMA - Professional Aviation Maintenance Association

SkillsUSA

The Aircraft Maintenance Dual Credit Program

The Aircraft Maintenance Technology Department at Greenville Technical College in conjunction with the Donaldson Career Center is currently offering juniors and seniors the opportunity to complete their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) General Certificate requirements, by attending their junior and senior year a student can complete one full college semester and earn up to 21 College credits.

Earn FAA Accredited Credit Hours

This exciting program provides students with a mix of both classroom and hands on training. Students who complete the program during high school will actually be one semester ahead of their counterparts. They will participate in an FAA accredited program that could transfer to any college in the nation that offers an FAA approved training program.

This is the only FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) program in the state of SC currently being offered to high school students. Our program is unique in the fact that we have Embry Riddle Aeronautical University located in McAlister Square. This means as students complete our program and earn an associates degree they can begin working on their bachelor’s degree and still remain in the upstate. Our students have successfully transferred over 50 credit hours towards their bachelor’s degree upon completing their degree at Greenville Technical College.

Gain Experience While Still in High School

Students who enroll in this program will be provided all necessary tools, safety equipment and required text books. They will experience a wide range of learning activities. They will run aircraft engines, taxi, tow and jack aircraft, learn how to safely use hand and power tools, build electrical circuits, read schematics and troubleshoot electrical faults. They will also work with sheet metal, learn how to bend, cut and rivet aluminum panels.

Skills USA

Another opportunity for our dual credit students is to participate in the Skills USA Competition. This is a nation wide competition to determine the best of the best. High school students will compete to see who will represent the state. The state winner will then participate in a national competition held in Kansas City.

The following is a brief description of classes students will complete during their 2 years:

ACM 101	This course covers FAA regulations that pertain to the mechanics and the maintenance of aircraft engines and airframes, technical standard orders, manufacturers’ maintenance and parts manuals, service letters, bulletins, and instructions. It provides students the necessary skills to locate and interpret Federal Aviation Regulations used in their jobs. In addition, necessary forms, logbooks and manufacturer publications are explained and used.
ACM 102	This course is the study of the fundamentals of simple machines, heat dynamics, theory of flight and geometrical concepts as established for aviation applications. It provides students the necessary background in math and physics that will allow them operate effectively as an airframe and power plant technician.
ACM 105	This course covers basic electricity, including AC and DC circuits, the use of electrical measuring instruments, the interpretation of electrical measuring instruments, the interpretation of electrical circuit diagrams, energy sources, batteries and their maintenance. It provides the students with the skills and knowledge to understand basic electrical circuits as found in aviation applications.
ACM 110	This course covers the skills required to use drawings, identify symbols and schematic layouts, sketch repairs and alterations made to aircraft and interpret graphs and charts. Students will learn how to read and interpret diagrams used in maintenance. In addition they will draw sketches as required in maintenance for parts approval and addition to the maintenance records.
ACM 115	This course covers engine starting, ground operations, aircraft movement, ground handling safety requirements and aircraft servicing procedures. Also covered are interpretation and application of aircraft weight and balance procedures. It gives students the necessary skills to safely service and handle aircraft in a flightline and hangar environment.
ACM 120	This course covers nondestructive testing, identification and selection of aircraft hardware and materials, use of hand tools, power and precision measuring tools; identification of fluid lines and fittings, and the fabrication and installation of flexible hoses and tubing; selection and use of cleaning materials and identification and treatment of aircraft corrosion. Students are exposed to all the tools, hardware and general techniques needed to work as an aircraft technician. Students will be expected to demonstrate the use of tools and measuring devices as well as hose/line manufacture, hardware selection, torque value determination and metal characteristics and treatments. When complete, students will be able to complete all of the above tasks as well as detect, determine proper actions and treat corrosion of various metals.
ACM 130	This course covers the principles of sheet metal layout, bending, rivet installations, structural inspection and repair methods for aircraft. It provides students with the skills required to inspect, service and repair sheet metal aircraft structures. Safety, specific maintenance practices, and documentation are also emphasized.

If a career in aviation is something that interests you, or should you have further questions about our program please feel free to contact @ 864 422 1762.