North American Institute of Aviation North American Institute of Aviation North American Institute of Aviation

 
Aviation Maintenance
The Aviation Maintenance Technology program was first offered in September, 1984. From the beginning, North American has offered a program that emphasizes "hands-on" training taught by experienced instructors and is conducted in a small class environment.

Aircraft mechanics have the very important responsibility of keeping our planes operating safely and efficiently. They work in highlytechnical specialty areas on different systems that make up today's complex aircraft. For example, as a mechanic the student could specialize in the airframe (the body of the aircraft), the power plant (the engines), or avionics (the parts of an aircraft that depend on electronics, such as navigation and communication. Aircraft maintenance is a dynamic career field.

All training is conducted at the Conway-Horry Cunty Airport. As the Fixed Based Operator of the airport, NAIA can offer the real world of aviation, as students are trained in a total aviation environment at an ongoing airport operation.

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Shown is instructor Chet Talbot with students Jason Baroody and Steven Bean from Columbia, SC.

Since mechanics work in hangars, out on the field on the "flight lines" where aircraft park, or in repair stations this real-world environment provides the student an edge when going on with their career. They experience that maintenance is performed around the clock, seven days a week. The student is able to see that sometimes the work can be stressful, because the mechanic might have to meet a deadline to make sure an airplane was ready to fly a scheduled flight.

Classes are normally offered twice a year. In 2007, classes begin in April and in Auguest. Class sizes are held to a maximum of twenty-five (25) students. Each class is taught by an experienced instructor during classroom instruction. As the class moves into the shop, an additional instructor is added to insure a proper student instructor ratio and to maintain a small class training environment.

The program is fourteen (14) months in length and covers 2180 clock-hours of training as follows:
     General 460 hours
     Airframe 912 hours
     Powerplant 808 hours

Click on any of the links for more detail about the courses.

Requirements For Graduation

Upon the successful completion of the 2180 clock hours and having achieved a minimum 80% or equivalent 2.00 Grade Point Average (GPA) in the Aviation Maintenance Technology Program and having met all financial obligations to the school, each student will be awarded a Graduation Certificate which attests that the student has passed all school and FAA requirements for graduation.

Class Schedule

Classes start three times a year - the third week in March, June and September. Each student is notified in advance as to the exact date and, barring unavoidable delays, graduation is fourteen months from the student's start date.

The maximum class size is 25 students. No more than 12 students are assigned to any one instructor in shop classes. All classes are filled on a first come, first served basis.

Classes are conducted Monday through Friday, eight hours a day with a one hour break for lunch and a ten minute break during each hour.

Certifications and Financial Aid

The program is approved by the FAA and NAIA is certified to offer the A license and/or the P license.

Non-Federal Financial Aid is available to those who qualify and the school is approved for Veterans Benefits. Students meet individually with an Admissions Representative to tour the facility and discuss course offerings, class schedules and financial aid opportunities.

Class Requirements

The school will provide you a recommended tool list. You may purchase these tools through the school or on your own.