Aviation Systems Technology – Airframe Maintenance
Certificate
What You’ll Learn
Are you interested in aircraft mechanics? Forsyth Tech’s two-year Aviation Systems Technology program prepares students for well-paid careers as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certified aircraft mechanics. As a graduate of this degree you will have an Associate in Applied Science and hands-on experience with aircraft systems, including electronics and diagnostics, and engine maintenance. Graduates of Forsyth Tech’s program will also have a foundational knowledge of FAA regulations and will be prepared to test and qualify as an FAA certified Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT), formerly knowns as the Airframe & Powerplant Certificate (A&P).
Classes are held in the dedicated, 53,000-square-foot Aviation Technology Lab at the Smith Reynolds Airport in Winston-Salem. The curriculum includes core FAA-required courses, aviation math/physics and airframe and powerplant maintenance. With an Aviation Systems Technology degree you will be qualified to ensure the safety of the flying public and could work as an aircraft maintenance technician, engine mechanic or inspection specialist and can pursue entry-level positions in the aviation industry with airlines, manufacturers, repair stations and more. Speciality fields include avionics, balloons and airships, rotorcraft and unmanned aircraft systems.
Outcomes
- Maintenance
- Electronics
- Inspection
- Diagnostics
- Communication
- Safety
- Management
- Regulations
How Long Does it take?
Typically, it takes 2-3 semesters of full-time study to complete a certificate in Aviation Systems Technology – Airframe Maintenance and requires approximately 43 credit hours.
Curriculum & Class Schedule
Legend:
AComprehensive Articulation Agreement (This course is recommended for students transferring to a four-year university.)
LLocal Requirement
IInstructional Service Agreement
UUniversal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC)
GGlobal Distinction
RRequisite(s)
Disclaimer line: This is a suggested list. You will consult with an academic advisor to develop your exact curriculum, based on your interests and any credits you may already have obtained prior to arriving at Forsyth Tech.
AVI 110: Aviation Maintenance-Gen.
Credit Hours: 15
AVI 120: Airframe Maintenance I
RCredit Hours: 12
AVI 130: Airframe Maintenance II
RCredit Hours: 9
AVI 230: Airframe Maintenance III
RCredit Hours: 7
Legend:
AComprehensive Articulation Agreement (This course is recommended for students transferring to a four-year university.)
LLocal Requirement
IInstructional Service Agreement
UUniversal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC)
GGlobal Distinction
RRequisite(s)
Career Tracks
What are the career options after earning an associate’s degree in aviation?
If your associate’s degree includes flight training (an AAS in Aviation Flight), you graduate with your Commercial Pilot Certificate and several ratings.
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Certified Flight Instructor (CFI): Most graduates start here to build the 1,000–1,500 hours required for airlines.
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Regional Airline First Officer: Many regional airlines hire pilots with an associate’s degree once they hit their hour requirements.
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Corporate or Charter Pilot: Flying private jets or cargo (like Part 135 operations) often values experience and specific ratings over a four-year degree.
This is arguably the most stable path for associate degree holders. Schools often combine the degree with FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification.
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Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT): Working for major airlines or repair stations. Starting salaries in 2026 often range from $60,000 to $85,000.
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Avionics Technician: Specializing in the “brains” of the plane—navigation, communication, and computer systems.
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Aviation Safety Inspector: With a few years of maintenance experience, you can work for the FAA or private firms ensuring aircraft meet safety standards.
An Associate in Aviation Management focuses on the “ground side” of the industry.
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Airfield Operations Specialist: Coordinating daily activities on the tarmac, ensuring safety compliance, and managing ground traffic.
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Flight Dispatcher: You work with pilots to plan flight paths, check weather, and calculate fuel loads. This requires a specific FAA Dispatcher Certificate, which many associate programs include.
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Airport Manager (Small/Regional): While major international airports require a Bachelor’s or Master’s, many municipal airports hire associate degree holders for management roles.
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Commercial Drone Operator: Industries like agriculture, real estate, and infrastructure inspection are hiring pilots with specialized associate degrees in UAS technology.
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UAS Mission Coordinator: Planning and overseeing complex drone operations for delivery or surveillance companies.
This path focuses on the separation of aircraft and the efficiency of the National Airspace System.
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Air Traffic Controller (ATC): Managing the safe flow of aircraft in the sky and on the ground. This is the highest-paying role for associate degree holders, but it requires passing the ATSA (aptitude test) and being hired before age 31.
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Flight Dispatcher: Often called “pilots on the ground,” they share legal responsibility for flight safety with the captain. Many ATC students cross-train here because the knowledge of weather and regulations is similar.
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Airfield Operations Specialist: Ensuring the runways are safe and the “ground game” of the airport is running smoothly.
Program Contact
Students interested in this program, should contact Mr. Greg Purvis, Aviation Program Coordinator, by email – gpurvis@forsythtech.edu.
Visit us today!
Forsyth Tech’s Mazie S. Woodruff Aviation Technology Lab is located at:
2739 Aviation Dr,
Winston-Salem, NC 27105