Airframe & Powerplant Seminar (Transitioning Military & Veterans)

Additional Program Information

This program is for transitioning, retiring military, and veterans with aircraft maintenance experience.

For those with prior experience as aircraft mechanics and a FAA-approved 8610-2 form, the 6-8 week Airframe & Powerplant Seminar Certificate program provides review, gap training and industry preparation for FAA testing and employment. Obtain your FAA Mechanic Certification by combining your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) experience and Rate training with a civilian application.

The seminar provides a review of General, Airframe and Powerplant sections of the written, oral and practical FAA-licensing exams with special focus on those areas of civilian aviation not typically encountered during military service. It provides students with the skills, knowledge and abilities to pursue a career as an Aviation Maintenance Technician.

The FAA requires documented experience as an aircraft mechanic (18 months for Airframe or Powerplant, and 30 months if your experience was both Airframe and Powerplant) before it will allow the FAA testing necessary to receive an FAA Mechanic Certificate for Airframe and/or Powerplant.

• There are three areas of FAA testing: General, Airframe and Powerplant.
• In all cases, a properly completed FAA Form 8610-2 is required for FAA testing.
• There are three types of FAA exams in each area (General, Airframe and Powerplant): written, oral and practical. Service members may take FAA written exams for free at McChord Air Force Base.

The South Seattle College A&P Seminar Certificate is designed for those who:

• Have completed the 8610-2 FAA rating application.
• Have started their written exams and identified gap areas for additional study.
• Need an intensive, hands-on review of FAA Oral and Practical test topics in areas of experience gaps.
• Need a career development opportunity. Students enrolled have opportunities to tour aircraft maintenance or fabrication facilities, meet with industry representatives and apply for aviation maintenance positions.
• May benefit from a collaborative environment with experienced advisors and instructors.
• Require a program approved for Veterans Education Benefits, or other financial assistance resources.

Transitioning or Retiring Military

If you are transitioning or retiring from the military and wish to participate in training to prepare you for a career in aviation maintenance while still on active duty, visit the Department of Defense SkillBridge/Career Skills Program "How to Apply" page for more information.

Career Opportunities

As part of the A&P Seminar Certificate program, students are required to prepare resumes, tour companies, meet with future employers, practice and participate in job interviews with employers. Career specialists at South work individually, and in small and large group settings to assure student success.

Paying for the Program

Through a partnership with workforce development agencies, transitioning service members, those retiring from the military, reserves, guard and veterans may able to be funded to attend this program. The A&P Seminar is a VA-approved program for use of the GI Bill®. It is also approved for Workforce Retraining funding (if available). Exploring and obtaining funding is part of the process of enrollment. (see below.)

Veteran Students

South offers a 50% tuition reduction for all qualified veterans To find out if you are eligible, contact the Veterans Affairs Service Desk (RSB Lobby) at (206)934-5811 or email at ssccva@seattlecolleges.edu.

How to Enroll

Candidates are chosen based on attainment of the 8610-2 FAA rating application, progress on FAA written exams and the date of you first contact with our intake coordinator at the Career Skills Program (CSP) at Joint Base Lewis McChord.

The enrollment process involves a series of steps that the CSP team will help guide you through. At the end of the enrollment period, South is given a list of qualified candidates and coordinates with our Workforce Education development partners and industry to help you succeed.

Enrollment Timeline

Once you have been accepted into the program, see here for the enrollment steps known at South as the ‘Steps to Enroll’ for JBLM Aviation Seminar students! These are detailed, step by step instructions on how to complete your admission and enrollment requirements for the program!

JBLM Aviation Seminar Steps to Enroll

Preparation for the Airframe & Powerplant Seminar Certificate program begins two months before the start of classes to allow time for planning, completing the 8610-2 process and beginning the written tests. There are two start dates for this program: Fall Quarter and Spring Quarter.  Advising and counseling services at South are ongoing and available year round.

• Two one-hour information sessions are offered at McChord Air Force Base to allow transitioning service members and veterans to meet with school, Workforce and military support services
• One one-hour registration event is held at McChord Air Force Base to assist with school enrollment paperwork.
• A week before the start of classes a one-hour orientation event is held to help students through the schedule and troubleshoot any additional barriers to success.
• Classes begin.
  • Held on base Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 08:00 - 14:00.

    • Tuesday focuses on industry familiarization and placement events and generally leaves time for additional study.

  • Held at South Seattle College hangars Friday and Saturday, 07:00 – 13:00.
  • There may be shifts in scheduling to accommodate additional hands-on-training needs or industry partner schedules.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official US government Web site at benefits.va.gov/gibill.