Aviation Maintenance Program to Begin at Community College

WEST BARNSTABLE – The first aviation program, focusing on maintaining airplanes, is about to start at Cape Cod Community College.

On Monday, students focusing in airframe and power plant (engine) maintenance will begin a year-long course which prepares them for the Federal Aviation Administration certification.

That certification requires 1900 hours of airframe and power plant training, and according to 4C’s president Dr. John Cox, virtually guarantees those who complete it a job.

“When we built the program, we had over 20 aviation companies provide us supporting documentation of the need for them to hire people who are trained in this,” he said.

The school has partnered with national, regional and local airlines for the program, and part of the training will take place in a hangar at Plymouth Municipal Airport.

Entry level jobs routinely pay between $35,000 and $50,000 a year for certified technicians.

The program cost totals over $20,000, with multiple sources of financial aid available.