Enterprise State Works to Meet Aviation Mechanic Shortage

The United States is facing a shortage of aviation mechanics, the levels of which could become critical in the next decade. On Enterprise State Community College’s Ozark Campus, also known as the Alabama Aviation College, students are training in airframe, powerplant, and avionics maintenance.

“It’s not unusual for a brand-new airframe technician to make $80,000 per year their first year,” says Stan Smith, Aviation Campus Director. “Getting certified takes a year of school, and students can find work locally.”

The number and quality of classes make the campus a leader in producing aviation mechanics in the United States. Its efforts in Dale County can have a national impact while growing the local economy.

Alabama Aviation College Prepares Students for FAA Credentials

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) offers multiple mechanic certifications that focus on different aspects of aircraft. Students can complete one certification or master all three. Multiple sessions are offered per year on the Ozark campus on different certification options:

• Airframe maintenance: the structural maintenance of aircraft.
• Powerplant maintenance: the engine, propellers, and elements that move a plane forward.
• Avionics: the electronic aspects of the aircraft, short for aviation electronics.

The state’s only avionics program is located on the Ozark campus and admits new students each fall. Conversely, students can enroll in airframe and powerplant courses five times throughout the year.

It’s becoming increasingly common for students to enroll in airframe maintenance and then enter the workforce after passing their certification exams. Demand is high for aviation mechanics, and some students are recruited while they are still in school. The new employees can then decide if they want to return to school to complete their powerplant maintenance certification and expand the elements of the aircraft they can work on. Some companies in the area still require both airframe and powerplant certification.

Students Choose a Degree or Certificate Path

The FAA offers two options for students to become aviation mechanics: pursuing a two-year degree or completing a certification program. Smith explains that the starting pay for a degree or certification is the same, but having a degree increases opportunities for advancement.

To maximize flexibility, students can enroll in day or night airframe and powerplant classes on the Ozark campus. Day classes run from 7 AM to 2 PM, while night classes run from 3:45 PM to 10 PM. All airframe and powerplant classes are conducted during two eight-week mini terms, meaning students can complete four classes per semester. This allows most students to complete their airframe certification within a year.

Dual enrollment classes are held at nine locations across the region so that students can start to earn college credit while still in high school. This is an excellent way for students to take college courses for free and work toward their careers.

Ozark Has One of the Largest Schools for Training Mechanics

As of 2025, there is a 10% shortfall of certificated aviation mechanics, with the country needing 5,338 mechanics. The need for qualified mechanics is expected to increase by 2035, with an aging workforce preparing to retire. Currently, more than 40% of aviation workers are over 60.

AAC is working to combat this shortage. Currently, more than 600 students are enrolled in the college’s airframe, powerplant, or avionics programs. Of that, 166 are dual enrollment students. Smith says these enrollment rates make Enterprise State’s Ozark campus one of the top five institutions for aviation mechanic production.

This campus doesn’t just have a high-quantity program. Because of FAA regulations and proficiency-based requirements, the students earn quality degrees and certifications that are valid for their entire lives.

Dale County Has Become a Hub for Aviation Hiring 

Companies increasingly operate where they can find a qualified workforce, and more businesses are working with the college and hiring graduates as they complete their certifications. Recently, the campus hosted an aviation career fair with 22 employers looking to hire aviation mechanics. Of the companies that participated, around 10 were local, and other firms traveled multiple hours to meet with students.

“The need for aviation drives up wages because employers compete against each other to pull from the workforce,” says Smith. “More companies are taking students right out of school instead of requiring experience. One of our students was recently recruited to a company in Columbus, GA, and another to a firm in Mississippi.” 
The campus is also near Fort Rucker and other military bases along the Gulf Coast. Aviation graduates can find well-paying work that allows them to live close to home and start their lives in Dale County. 

Learn More About Aviation in Dale County 

Enterprise State’s Ozark Campus is a national leader in aircraft mechanic certification, contributing to the workforce of several aerospace and defense companies in Southeast Alabama. Learn about the aviation industry in Dale County and why this part of the country is so valuable to keep planes in the air and protect the United States.

Your aviation business also has a future in Dale County. Contact the Ozark-Dale Economic Development Corporation today to discuss your options and explore potential sites.