The first FAA-approved hybrid course for A&P mechanics, offering some of the coursework online, has graduated its first class from Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa, Oklahoma, officials at the school have announced. Fifteen students completed the program, which comprises 13 to 16 months of coursework online and then seven months at the Tulsa campus for hands-on training. “The whole objective of the program is to give young men and young women training required by the FAA to be certified as airplane and powerplant technicians,” said Ron Worthington, Spartan vice president of curriculum development.”Once they receive this FAA certification, it allows them to work on any U.S.-certified aircraft, its subsystems and components.”
Spartan also offers a traditional on-campus aviation maintenance program, with a 15-month or 18-month option. “This hybrid training program is a great example of preparing for today’s demand for ‘new collar jobs’ and provides students with more flexible access to quality training,” said Dan Peterson, CEO of Spartan Education Group. “Spartan seeks to alleviate the constraints students face with relocating to another city to begin a comprehensive training program.” The college has also entered into a partnership with Delta Air Lines to establish a pipeline of trained aviation maintenance technicians.
NOTE: An earlier version of this story misidentified the CEO and included some incorrect details about the program.
