Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (AAS)

Degree: Associate of Applied Science
Major: Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Program Code: 1401

This program has been approved by CMU and has been submitted to the accreditor. This program is pending HLC review and approval.

The Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic program will certify students to safely and legally perform installations and repairs on aircraft under current FAA regulations. Students will earn their General Mechanic, Airframe Mechanic, and Powerplant Mechanic certifications through the FAA. The program will prepare students to enter the workforce in a high demand, well paying industry. 

Important information about this program:

  • Additional Program Cost - $1500-$2500 for tools which students will retain for use during employment upon completion of the program. 
  • Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher must be maintained for all courses taken.

For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource.


For more information on what you can do with this major, visit CMU Tech's Programs of Study page.

All CMU/CMU Tech associate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus‐wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:

  1. Acquire knowledge and skills for General and Airframe Mechanic certification contained in the FAA Part 147 curriculum. (Specialized Knowledge, Information Literacy)
  2. Examine and implement FAA standards for aviation safety, and aeronautical decision making, including evaluating personal limitations. (Specialized Knowledge, Critical Thinking, Communication Fluency)
  3. Acquire knowledge and skill for Powerplant Mechanic certification contained in the FAA Part 147 curriculum. (Specialized Knowledge, Information Literacy)
  4. Demonstrate quantitative literacy skills and the ability to think critically in a demanding environment. (Quantitative Literacy, Critical Thinking)

The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU and CMU Tech Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.

  • 60 semester hours minimum.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 15 of the final 30 semester hours of credit at CMU/CMU Tech.
  • 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU/CMU Tech coursework.
  • A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
  • No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
  • Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 20 semester credit hours for an AAS degree.
  • Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
  • Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
  • The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
  • See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.

Institutional Degree Requirements

The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU and CMU Tech Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.

  • 60 semester hours minimum.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 15 of the final 30 semester hours of credit at CMU/CMU Tech.
  • 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU/CMU Tech coursework.
  • A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
  • No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
  • Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 20 semester credit hours for an AAS degree.
  • Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
  • Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
  • The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
  • See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.

Specific to this degree:

  • 64 semester hours required for the Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic AAS.
  • Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher must be maintained for all courses taken.

Essential Learning Requirements

(16 semester hours)

See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below. If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.

English
ENGL 111English Composition I-GTCO13
Select one of the following courses:3
English Composition II-GTCO2
Interpersonal Communication
Speechmaking
Mathematics
MATH 108Technical Mathematics4
Other Essential Learning Core Courses
PSYC 150General Psychology-GTSS33
Select one of the following:3
Introduction to Concepts of General Chemistry
Introduction to Environmental Science-GTSC2
Weather and Climate-GTSC2
Elementary Astronomy-GTSC2
Total Semester Credit Hours16

Other Lower Division Requirements

Wellness Requirements
KINE 100Health and Wellness1
Select one Activity course1
Total Semester Credit Hours2

Program Specific Degree Requirements

(46 semester hours, must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher must be maintained for all courses taken.)

APMT 101Introduction to Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic4
APMT 102Regulations and Computations4
APMT 103Aircraft Materials I4
APMT 104Aircraft Systems for Airframe & Powerplant I4
APMT 111Electrical Systems in Aircraft4
APMT 113Aircraft Materials II4
APMT 114Aircraft Systems for Airframe & Powerplant II4
APMT 118Systems Troubleshooting1
APMT 205Reciprocating Engines I4
APMT 206Reciprocating Engines II4
APMT 215Turbine Engines I4
APMT 216Turbine Engines II4
APMT 218Engine Troubleshooting1
Total Semester Credit Hours46
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterSemester Credit Hours
APMT 101 Introduction to Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic 4
APMT 102 Regulations and Computations 4
APMT 103 Aircraft Materials I 4
APMT 104 Aircraft Systems for Airframe & Powerplant I 4
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
ENGL 111 English Composition I-GTCO1 3
APMT 111 Electrical Systems in Aircraft 4
APMT 113 Aircraft Materials II 4
APMT 114 Aircraft Systems for Airframe & Powerplant II 4
APMT 118 Systems Troubleshooting 1
 Semester Credit Hours16
Second Year
Fall Semester
APMT 205 Reciprocating Engines I 4
APMT 206 Reciprocating Engines II 4
APMT 215 Turbine Engines I 4
APMT 216 Turbine Engines II 4
APMT 218 Engine Troubleshooting 1
 Semester Credit Hours17
Spring Semester
MATH 108 Technical Mathematics (or higher) 4
PSYC 150 General Psychology-GTSS3 3
KINE 100 Health and Wellness 1
KINA Activity Course 1
Choose one of the following: 3
English Composition II-GTCO2  
Interpersonal Communication  
Speechmaking  
Choose three credits of any Physical Sciences course 3
 Semester Credit Hours15
 Total Semester Credit Hours64

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for their intended degree(s).

DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Graduation Process

Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:

  • Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
  • Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
  • Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
  • Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.

Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found on the Graduation web page.

If a student's petition for graduation is denied, it will be their responsibility to apply for graduation in a subsequent semester. A student's “Intent to Graduate” does not automatically move to a later graduation date.