Dallas College has launched a new Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program.
The 13-month program, which began April 1, 2025, prepares students for the FAA General, Airframe, and Powerplant (A&P) exams through hands-on training in a hangar at Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD). Students will also have access to classrooms outfitted with the latest technology at the Dallas College Workforce Center at the airport, college officials said.
The regional aerospace industry comprises more than 900 companies, accounting for one of every six jobs in North Texas. The median salary for aircraft mechanics and service technicians in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is $40.22 per hour or $80,000 annually, college officials noted.
“Aerospace education is essential for maintaining our region’s status as an industry leader,” said Dr. Macario Hernandez, Dallas College Mountain View president and aviation sector lead. “It’s a win-win as we provide students with a clear pathway to high-paying, in-demand careers, and our business partners benefit from a stronger local talent pipeline. These initiatives are key to our region’s ongoing growth and competitiveness.”
Dallas College will celebrate the completion of its new Aerospace and Aviation Hangar at Dallas Executive Airport at a ribbon-cutting ceremony 3 p.m. on April 22, 2025.
For more information: DallasCollege.edu/AMT
13 months…really?? Back in the day, A&P Schools required up to 3 years; experience requirements were 18 months for the “A” and 18 months for the “P” or 30 months combined (65.77). Are our teachers that much better today?? Are our student that much smarter today?? Is there less we need to know?? Hmmm! As a newly minted A&P, I met all of those requirements 45 years ago and was pretty ignorant on day 1. Truth is, I’m probably still pretty ignorant. But, I don’t see where making the path to an A&P easier with less knowledge is either good for the industry, or safe for the public.
Are y’all hiring instructors?
This program costs about $25,000. I tried to call Dallas College to get more information, such as program start dates, or estimated costs of room and board, but the college has their phones mismanaged by one of those idiotic phone bots. After about a half hour, I finally reached the Chancellor’s Executive Assistant who could not connect me with anyone associated with their A&P program. When I pointed out the phone problem, her response was that there was nothing wrong with their phones. You have to love that Soviet-style bureaucratic response; when you report a problem they simply tell you that there is no problem, therefore the bureaucrat needn’t do anything.
Bottom line: Dallas College’s A&P program is expensive, especially once you add-in the cost of room and board; they have no on-campus housing nor do they have contract housing for the A&P students.