[header] How to become an aircraft mechanic [title] Go to school. [step] There are 170 aviation maintenance technician schools in the us, that are approved by the federal aviation administration (faa). Programs usually last 12 to 24 months, and most require a high school degree or a ged. 
[substeps] Graduation qualifies you to sit for the faa exams required for certification. Graduates often earn higher salaries than mechanics who get their experience through apprenticeship or the military.