Part 1: Difference Between FAA Part 147 Schools and the FAA Experience Path

Which Path Is Right for Earning Your FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate?

If you're considering becoming an FAA-certified Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic, one of the first questions you'll need to answer is:

Should I attend an FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School, or can I qualify through my work experience?

This is one of the most common questions we receive from prospective students. The answer depends entirely on your aviation background and career experience.

At America's Best AMT Courses, we work with experienced aircraft maintenance technicians every day who have already built years of practical aviation experience but aren't sure how to convert that experience into an FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate. Through America's Best AMT Mexico, we also assist experienced international aircraft maintenance technicians in understanding the FAA certification process and determining whether they may qualify through the FAA experience pathway.

This guide explains the differences between the FAA Part 147 school pathway and the FAA experience pathway, the advantages of each, and how to determine which option is the best fit for your career goals.

Why This Decision Matters

Choosing the correct certification pathway can save you both time and money.

Many people assume that attending an FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School is the only way to earn an FAA A&P certificate. In reality, the FAA provides two separate pathways to become eligible for certification:

1. Graduate from an FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School

2. Qualify through documented aircraft maintenance experience under FAA Part 65

Both pathways ultimately lead to the exact same FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Understanding which pathway applies to your situation can help you make informed decisions before investing thousands of dollars or several years of your career.

What Is an FAA Part 147 School?

An FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School is a training institution that has been certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration to provide aviation maintenance education under 14 CFR Part 147.

Students complete an FAA-approved curriculum consisting of:

• Classroom instruction

• Laboratory training

• Hands-on aircraft maintenance

• Practical skill development

• Aviation maintenance theory

After successfully completing the program, graduates become eligible to take the FAA

General, Airframe, and Powerplant written examinations, followed by the required oral and practical examinations.

Part 147 schools are designed primarily for individuals who are new to aviation maintenance and need structured education before entering the workforce.

The total cost of attending a typical FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School can range from approximately $25,000 to $65,000, depending on the institution, location, program length, and associated expenses. While these schools provide an excellent educational pathway for individuals entering the aviation maintenance industry, the investment can be significant for many prospective students.

For someone with little or no aircraft maintenance experience, a Part 147 school often provides an excellent starting point toward a career in aviation maintenance.

What Is the FAA Experience Path?

The FAA experience pathway is designed for individuals who have already gained practical aircraft maintenance experience through employment, military service, or other qualifying aviation maintenance work.

Rather than attending a Part 147 school, applicants qualify by documenting their experience under 14 CFR Part 65.

Once the FAA determines that the applicant meets the required experience requirements, they may proceed with the FAA certification process.

The experience pathway is commonly used by:

• Commercial airline maintenance technicians

• Repair station (MRO) mechanics

• Corporate aviation technicians

• Military aircraft maintainers

• Helicopter maintenance technicians

• Government aviation mechanics

• Aircraft manufacturing personnel

• Experienced international aircraft maintenance technicians

For many experienced mechanics, this pathway recognizes the knowledge and skills they have already developed through years of hands-on work.

Side-by-Side Comparison

FAA Part 147 School	FAA Experience Path
Formal aviation education	Practical aircraft maintenance experience
Classroom and laboratory instruction	Real-world aircraft maintenance
Best for beginners	Best for experienced technicians
School verifies completion	FAA reviews documented experience
Graduate becomes eligible for FAA testing	FAA authorizes qualified applicants to test
Usually requires 18–24 months of schooling	Timeline depends on when experience requirements are met

Both pathways ultimately lead to the same FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Employers generally do not distinguish between an A&P certificate earned through a Part 147 school and one earned through the FAA experience pathway. What matters most is that you successfully meet the FAA requirements, pass the required examinations, and earn your FAA Mechanic Certificate.

For experienced aircraft maintenance technicians who already qualify through the FAA experience pathway, the total investment for certification—including A&P preparation courses, FAA written examinations, oral and practical testing, and related expenses—can often range between approximately $3,500 and $4,500.

Compared to the cost of attending a traditional Part 147 school, many experienced technicians find the experience pathway to be a more practical and cost-effective option. Instead of investing $25,000 to $65,000 in a traditional aviation maintenance program, qualified applicants may be able to earn the same FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate at a substantially lower cost by building on the aircraft maintenance experience they have already gained throughout their careers.

For many mechanics, the experience pathway represents one of the best returns on investment in the aviation industry. It allows experienced professionals to leverage the skills they have already developed while earning an FAA certification that can provide career opportunities and increased earning potential for years to come.

Which Path Is Faster?

The answer depends entirely on your current level of aviation experience.

If you have no aircraft maintenance experience, attending an FAA Part 147 school is usually the most direct route toward becoming eligible for FAA certification.

However, if you've already spent years working on aircraft, the experience pathway can significantly reduce the amount of time required because you are building upon knowledge you've already gained instead of starting over in a classroom.

Many of our students at America's Best AMT Courses already have years—or even decades—of aviation maintenance experience. Their challenge isn't learning how to fix airplanes. Their challenge is understanding the FAA certification process and preparing for the written, oral, and practical examinations.

For these applicants, the experience pathway often provides the most efficient route toward earning an FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate.

Who Should Consider a Part 147 School?

A Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School may be the right choice if you:

• Are new to aviation maintenance.

• Have no qualifying aircraft maintenance experience.

• Want a structured classroom environment.

• Prefer instructor-led education over self-directed preparation.

• Need foundational aviation maintenance knowledge before entering the workforce.

• Plan to begin a long-term career in aircraft maintenance from the ground up.

For individuals just entering the aviation industry, Part 147 schools provide an excellent educational foundation and valuable hands-on training.