Enter OTP
The BS in Aviation Technical Operations at Western Michigan University is a four-year, on-campus program that prepares students for technical and management careers in aircraft maintenance, repair, and support. The curriculum blends classroom learning with hands-on experience in WMU’s aviation maintenance labs and on a fleet that includes a Boeing 727. Graduates are eligible to take the FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) exams, leading to certification as aviation maintenance technicians.
Curriculum structure:
Year 1: You’ll begin with foundational courses such as AVS 1200 Aviation Meteorology, AVS 1400 Aircraft Materials and Processes, AVS 1410 Aircraft Electrical Fundamentals, AVS 1430 Aircraft Maintenance Practices, AVS 1420 Aircraft Weight and Balance, and AVS 1100 Introduction to Aviation. General education requirements in mathematics, science, and communication are also included.
Year 2: You’ll progress to core technical modules including AVS 2400 Aircraft Structures, AVS 2410 Aircraft Systems, AVS 2430 Aircraft Powerplants, AVS 2440 Aircraft Propellers, AVS 2450 Aircraft Hydraulics and Pneumatics, and AVS 2460 Aircraft Instruments and Avionics. Lab-based courses provide hands-on experience with inspection, troubleshooting, and repair.
Year 3: Advanced courses include AVS 3400 Aircraft Inspection, AVS 3410 Aircraft Maintenance Management, AVS 3420 Aircraft Turbine Engines, AVS 3430 Aircraft Electrical and Electronic Systems, and AVS 3440 Aircraft Environmental and Safety Systems. You’ll also take AVS 3470 Aircraft Systems Integration and Reliability, and participate in technical electives or internships.
Year 4: In your final year, you’ll complete AVS 4400 Advanced Aircraft Systems, AVS 4410 Repair Facility Management, AVS 4420 Product Technical Support, and AVS 4430 Flight Test Engineering. The program culminates in a capstone project or internship (AVS 4480 Aviation Technical Operations Internship), providing real-world maintenance and management experience.
Focus areas: aircraft maintenance and repair, aircraft systems and structures, powerplant systems, avionics, maintenance logistics, inspection and troubleshooting, FAA regulations, repair facility management, reliability and maintainability.
Learning outcomes: Graduates are prepared to become FAA-certified Airframe and Powerplant technicians, capable of maintaining and repairing modern aircraft, managing maintenance operations, and advancing into leadership roles within the aviation industry.
Professional alignment (accreditation): The program prepares students for the FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification and aligns with industry standards for aviation maintenance technicians.
Reputation (employability rankings): WMU’s Aviation Technical Operations program is recognised for its hands-on curriculum, strong industry partnerships, and high graduate employability, with alumni working at major airlines, repair stations, and aerospace companies such as Duncan Aviation, Delta Air Lines, and Everts Air Cargo.
Western Michigan University offers a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technical Operations, a four-year, on-campus program designed to prepare students for a range of careers in aircraft maintenance, repair, and technical operations.
Facilities & Experiential Learning:
Hands-On Training Fleet: Students gain practical experience working on WMU’s dedicated aviation maintenance fleet, which includes a fully functioning Boeing 727 donated by the Organisation of Black Aerospace Professionals and FedEx, as well as other aircraft used for instructional purposes.
W.K. Kellogg Airport Campus: The College of Aviation is based at W.K. Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek, Michigan, providing access to real-world aviation operations and maintenance environments.
FAA Certification Preparation: The curriculum is structured to prepare graduates for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) written and practical exams, qualifying them as licensed aviation maintenance technicians.
Industry Internships: Students have access to dedicated internship opportunities with companies such as Duncan Aviation, allowing them to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings and build industry connections.
Student Organisations & Competitions: Participation in groups like the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association, Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance, and SkillsUSA enables networking, leadership development, and competition in regional and national aviation maintenance events.
Career-Ready Curriculum: The program includes coursework in aircraft systems, reliability and maintainability, maintenance logistics, flight test engineering, and product technical support, as well as management skills for advancement into supervisory or project management roles.
Graduates of Western Michigan University’s BS in Aviation Technical Operations program are prepared for in-demand roles such as aircraft maintenance engineer, aviation maintenance manager, flight test engineer, and technical support specialist with employers like Delta Air Lines, Duncan Aviation, ExpressJet Airlines, and WACO Aircraft Corporation. You’ll gain the technical and management skills needed to advance quickly in the aviation maintenance and support industry.
Career Preparation & Outcomes:
University Services for Career Success: You’ll benefit from hands-on learning on WMU’s dedicated aviation maintenance fleet—including a Boeing 727—personalised academic advising, and access to student organisations like the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association and the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance. Career Services connects you with internships, job fairs, and resume workshops.
Employment Stats & Salary Figures: WMU aviation technical operations graduates enjoy strong job placement with companies such as Duncan Aviation, Delta Air Lines, and ExpressJet Airlines. Nationally, aviation maintenance professionals can expect competitive salaries, with opportunities for advancement into management roles.
University–Industry Partnerships: The program features dedicated internship positions with Duncan Aviation and regular partnerships with companies like WACO Aircraft Corporation and Applied Composites Engineering, providing real-world experience and professional networking before graduation.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The curriculum prepares you to sit for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification exams, ensuring your qualifications are recognised across the U.S. aviation industry.
Graduation Outcomes: You’ll graduate with expertise in aircraft maintenance, systems reliability, engineering liaison, repair facility management, and performance testing, completing a hands-on curriculum with opportunities to compete in SkillsUSA and other national competitions.
Further Academic Progression: After earning your BS in Aviation Technical Operations at Western Michigan University, you’ll be well-prepared to pursue advanced certifications, a master’s degree in aviation management or safety, or move into leadership and technical specialist roles within the aviation industry.
Official transcripts from Grade 9 to Grade 11th. For 12th Grade your school counselor should send the predictedOptional Common App personal essay (up to 650 words)Letters of recommendation are optionalStudents may report/submit ACT or SAT test scores if they wish, but it is not required. If a student does wish to have their test score used in the admission process, they can self-report their scores on the admission applicationAny previous or pending disciplinary violation related to academic dishonesty or criminal offense must be reported on the admission application. Most conduct violations do not prevent students from being admitted to WMU, but failing to disclose is considered falsification of the application and may result in admission offers being withdrawnMinimum GPA 3.003-4 years of math (through second year algebra or pre-calculus)Portfolio, project links, YouTube channel, honor and awards to enhance your application (Highly recommended, this information will also likely be used during the scholarship award process)Apply via the CommonAppAircraft Maintenance TechnicianAircraft Maintenance EngineerFlight Test EngineerEngineering/Maintenance LiaisonMaintenance Logistics SpecialistPerformance Testing EngineerProduct Technical Support SpecialistAircraft Systems Reliability EngineerRepair Facility ManagerAviation Service Writer
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Western Michigan University
