• Being an aviation mechanic can become a high-paying career. If you have a high school diploma, and you're willing to go to college for 18 months, you can become an aviation mechanic. Mechanic jobs are both enjoyable and rewarding, and they deal with airplanes, meaning that they are available everywhere. Plus, with the extra benefits airlines give to mechanics, becoming one should be a no-brainer for interested candidates.
  
  

Schooling Needed for an Aviation Mechanic

• Luckily, for most normal aircraft mechanic careers, you do not need to have a college degree. The basic requirement for the job is only a high school diploma. However, in order to be considered by the airlines and aviation schools, an 18-month college degree is highly recommended for anyone interested in pursuing this career.
  
  

Extra Certifications Needed

• In order to legally become an aircraft mechanic, you need to get a certification from the government. This comes in two forms: A and P licenses. The A license lets you work on an aircraft's fuselage, while the P license allows you to work on its engine. Some mechanics have one license, and some have both. In order to receive these certifications, however, you must pass a written, oral and practical test delivered by the FAA.
  
  

Optional Professional Schools

• In today's competitive job market, many mechanics opt to go to aviation school for 12 to 18 months. Many companies now require schooling, instead of just a certification, so for some this may be necessary. The FAA also requires that certified mechanics attend an aviation refresher course should they not be actively working as a mechanic. While the job states that a high school diploma is all that is required, you really should attend college before applying for any type of certification.