A&P License 2 Week Course: Fast-Track FAA Certification Guide
The aviation industry is experiencing an unprecedented global shortage of certified aviation maintenance technicians, driving starting wages and sign-on bonuses to historic highs. For experienced military aircraft technicians, civilian repair station mechanics, and international engineers, spending two years in a traditional trade school is unnecessary. An A&P license 2 week course is an intensive, fast-track crash program engineered to help qualified mechanics pass all FAA written, oral, and practical exams in fourteen days.
What is an Accelerated 2-Week A&P Course?
An A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) license is the premier professional credential issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), granting mechanics the legal authority to inspect, maintain, and sign off aircraft for return to flight.
A '2-week A&P course' is not an aviation trade school that teaches you how to turn a wrench from scratch. It is an intense, high-octane Test Preparation and Finishing School designed specifically for mechanics who already possess extensive aircraft maintenance experience.
Accelerated A&P prep courses differ radically from traditional collegiate aviation maintenance programs in curriculum, duration, and prerequisites. The table below compares a 2-week fast-track course against a standard 2-year Part 147 school.
| Program Parameter | 2-Week Accelerated Course (Crash Course) | Traditional 2-Year Part 147 Aviation School | Key Student Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Duration | 10 to 14 consecutive calendar days | 18 to 24 months (1,900 clock hours) | 2-week courses require extensive prior hands-on experience |
| Prerequisite Experience | Mandatory: Signed FAA Form 8610-2 (18-30 months) | Zero experience required; open to complete beginners | Fast-track programs teach the test, not the mechanical basics |
| Tuition & Program Cost | $2,000 to $3,500 USD (plus exam fees) | $15,000 to $45,000+ USD | Massive financial savings for veterans and experienced techs |
| Target Student Profile | Military veterans, civilian apprentices, uncertificated techs | High school graduates, career changers with zero mechanical background | Military DD-214 transcripts qualify veterans immediately |
| Final Credential Earned | Identical FAA Airframe & Powerplant Certificate | Identical FAA Airframe & Powerplant Certificate | Both yield the exact same FAA commercial mechanic license |
Schools like Baker Aeronautics in Nashville or Bakers A&P school train thousands of experienced technicians every year.
Over fourteen grueling, ten-hour study days, expert instructors drill students on FAA question banks, clarify confusing regulatory trivia, and conduct intensive mock Oral and Practical laboratory projects.
The program culminates with on-site computerized written testing and a rigorous one-on-one practical exam with an FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME), allowing students to walk away with their official temporary airman license in hand.
The Golden Ticket: Qualifying Under 14 CFR Part 65.77
You cannot simply pay tuition and enroll in a two-week A&P course off the street; you must first obtain official legal permission from the FAA.
Under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 65.77, applicants must prove to the FAA that they have sufficient practical experience. To qualify for a single rating (Airframe OR Powerplant), you must document at least eighteen months of practical hands-on experience. To qualify for the full combined Airframe AND Powerplant rating, you must document at least thirty months of concurrent experience.
To achieve full A&P certification, students must conquer a battery of FAA examinations covering three comprehensive technical areas. Review the examination sequence in the table below.
| FAA Exam Phase | Testing Format | Subject Areas Evaluated | Passing Threshold Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAA General Written | Computer Multiple-Choice (60 questions) | Aviation physics, basic electricity, math, blueprints, weight & balance | 70% minimum score |
| FAA Airframe Written | Computer Multiple-Choice (100 questions) | Sheet metal, hydraulics, avionics, landing gear, cabin atmosphere | 70% minimum score |
| FAA Powerplant Written | Computer Multiple-Choice (100 questions) | Reciprocating engines, turbine engines, propellers, ignition, fuel metering | 70% minimum score |
| Oral & Practical (O&P) | One-on-one testing with Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) | Verbal theory questions + physical hands-on mechanical shop tasks | 100% satisfactory demonstration on assigned projects |
This experience can be civilian experience working under the direct supervision of a certified A&P at a Part 145 repair station, or military aviation maintenance experience.
You must gather your military records (such as your DD-214 form, Joint Services Transcript, or military MOS/AFSC training records) and schedule an interview with an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) at your nearest Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).
If the inspector is satisfied with your documentation, they will sign and stamp two original copies of FAA Form 8610-2—known in the aviation community as your 'Ticket to Test'. Without signed 8610-2 tickets, no fast-track school can admit you.
Week 1: Conquering the General, Airframe, and Powerplant Written Exams
The first week of an accelerated A&P program is an intellectual boot camp focused entirely on mastering the three FAA written examinations.
Students must pass three separate computerized multiple-choice tests: the General exam (60 questions), the Airframe exam (100 questions), and the Powerplant exam (100 questions). The subject matter is immense, spanning aircraft electrical systems, aerodynamic theory, aircraft weight and balance calculations, turbine engine teardowns, and FAA regulatory airworthiness directives.
Fast-track prep academies utilize proprietary accelerated learning systems and testing software (such as Prepware or Gleim).
Instructors break down complex electrical schematics and hydraulic formulas into intuitive memory anchors.
Students take practice test after practice test until they consistently score above 90% in every sub-category. By the end of the first week, students sit for their official computerized FAA PSI exams, checking off the written hurdle with flying colors.
Week 2: The Oral and Practical (O&P) Examination with a DME
The second week transitions from computer theory to hands-on mechanical mastery, preparing students for the ultimate trial: the Oral and Practical (O&P) exam.
The O&P is conducted in person by an independent, FAA-licensed Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME). It is a demanding, multi-hour examination divided into oral questioning and practical physical projects covering up to forty-three distinct technical subjects.
During the oral phase, the examiner fires technical questions covering everything from carburetor icing and magneto timing to composite fiberglass repair and safety-wire twisting.
During the practical phase, the DME assigns hands-on shop tasks: riveting a flush sheet-metal patch, timing a Continental piston aircraft engine, testing an aircraft pitot-static leak, or flaring rigid aluminum fuel line tubing.
The accelerated school shop mimics the exact testing rigs used by the DME, allowing students to rehearse their skills until their muscle memory is flawless.
Upon satisfying the DME on every practical station, the examiner issues your official FAA Temporary Airman Certificate, launching your lucrative commercial aviation career.
How to Obtain FAA 8610-2 Approval and Complete an Accelerated Course in 4 Steps
Follow these regulatory steps to qualify, prepare for, and graduate from a 14-day accelerated A&P certification course.
Verify 14 CFR Part 65 Practical Experience Requirements
Document at least 18 months of practical aviation experience for a single rating (Airframe or Powerplant) or 30 months of concurrent dual experience.
Schedule an Interview at Your Local FAA FSDO Office
Meet with an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector to review your military DD-214, training records, and logbooks to obtain signed FAA Form 8610-2 tickets.
Master FAA Written Computer Exam Question Banks
Spend Week 1 of the course taking structured practice tests to pass the General, Airframe, and Powerplant (AMP) computer exams with scores of 70%+.
Pass Oral and Practical Exams with a Designated Examiner (DME)
Spend Week 2 performing hands-on safety-wiring, sheet metal riveting, and engine ignition timing during rigorous oral and practical testing.
Frequently Asked Questions (8 Questions Answered)
Q1: Can you really get an A&P license in 2 weeks?
Yes, if you already have the required 18 to 30 months of practical aviation experience and hold signed FAA 8610-2 authorization tickets.
Q2: Who qualifies for an accelerated A&P course?
Military aircraft maintenance veterans, civilian repair apprentices, and international aviation technicians who have their experience approved by the FAA.
Q3: What is an FAA Form 8610-2?
FAA Form 8610-2 is the official 'Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application' signed by an FAA inspector authorizing an applicant to take the A&P exams.
Q4: How much does a 2-week A&P prep course cost?
Tuition typically ranges from $2,000 to $3,500 USD, with additional FAA written testing fees (~$175/exam) and DME oral/practical fees (~$1,000 to $1,500).
Q5: Can a beginner with zero experience take a 2-week A&P course?
Strictly no; beginners must attend a standard 18-to-24-month Part 147 aviation maintenance trade school to acquire required clock hours.
Q6: How much do certified A&P mechanics earn?
A&P mechanics earn an average of $65,000 to $95,000 USD annually, with experienced major airline and cargo technicians exceeding $120,000 to $150,000.
Q7: What happens if you fail one section of the A&P oral or practical?
You only need to re-test the specific technical subject section you failed, which can be rescheduled with the DME after additional study.
Q8: Does the military pay for the 2-week A&P course?
Yes; programs like the GI Bill, Army Credentialing Assistance (CA), and Air Force COOL frequently cover 100% of fast-track A&P tuition and exam fees.
Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways
In conclusion, understanding a&p license 2 week course: fast-track faa certification guide provides essential clarity, practical strategies, and actionable advice. By incorporating these foundational insights, adhering to verified safety guidelines, and following structured best practices, you ensure reliable, long-term outcomes while preventing common mistakes. Stay informed, consult certified professionals when needed, and maintain consistent quality care.