Now that you’re comfortable with wrenching the easy stuff on your engine and airframe, thoughts may turn to earning an A&P (airframe and powerplant rating). Unlike the process of earning a new pilot rating, it’s not quite as easy as taking a course, an exam and going home with ticket in hand ready to rebuild your own aircraft.
The FAA requires a minimum of 18 months of practical experience working with either powerplants or airframes, or 30 months of practical experience working on both at the same time. As an alternative, you must successfully graduate from an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school. The curriculum offered by most schools is 12 to 24 months in length.