The General Aviation Maintenance certificate provides the knowledge and skills required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the airframe and powerplant maintenance technician student. Students will learn to apply mathematics and physics, read and interpret aircraft drawings, conduct ground operations and servicing of aircraft, interpret maintenance publications, interpret FAA regulations, make correct and legal aircraft record entries, perform weight and balance calculations, understand basic electricity, understand makeup of materials used in aircraft manufacture, understand aircraft fasteners, inspect welds, inspect for aircraft deterioration (corrosion) and understand and perform aircraft repair methods.

Boeing Commercial Aircraft Company recently predicted 1,000,000 more jobs in aviation in the next 15 years. Airbus of Europe has predicted about 800,000 more jobs in the next 15-20 years. Both predictions are based on anticipated growth in aircraft production and flying passengers. Many mechanics will reach retirement age in the next three years as a result of an interruption of current certificates issued by the FAA. More jet aircraft means more need for mechanics. The general aviation sector already has a shortage of certificated mechanics.