Where can I find A&P apprentices to hire?
Grease Pilot lists 11 aircraft mechanic apprentice profiles across 7 states, organized by state and city below — candidates for paid on-the-job training with an FAA-certificated mechanic or repair station. Under 14 CFR 65.77, the supervised hours they log in your shop count toward their A&P certificate, so you can hire and train them without being a Part 147 school.
Updated August 1, 2026
Browse A&P Apprentices by State
Common Questions
Where can I find A&P apprentices to hire in the United States?
Browse the apprentice profiles on this page — they're organized by state and city. Each profile shows the apprentice's certification goal, mechanical experience, and hands-on skills; create a free shop listing to message them directly.
Can my shop train an A&P apprentice if it isn't a Part 147 school?
Yes. Under 14 CFR 65.77, the FAA accepts documented practical experience gained under a certificated mechanic — your shop hires the apprentice, your A&Ps supervise the work, and the hours count toward their mechanic certificate.
Who can supervise an A&P apprentice?
A certificated mechanic. Under 14 CFR 65.77 the apprentice's practical experience must be gained under the supervision of a certificated A&P (or under a repair station's certificated mechanics), and it must be documented so the FAA can verify it — see the FAA experience requirements.
How does an apprentice's shop time count toward their A&P certificate?
The apprentice logs at least 18 months of documented practical experience for one rating (Airframe or Powerplant) or 30 months for both, under 14 CFR 65.77. When they're ready, FAA Form 8610-2 goes to the local FSDO, which verifies the supervised experience and authorizes them to take the written, oral, and practical tests (14 CFR 65.75).
Where can I recruit A&P apprentice candidates?
The apprentice profiles on this page are candidates actively seeking on-the-job training. FAA Part 147 school students and graduates are another pipeline — but under 14 CFR 65.77 your hires don't need school at all; supervised shop experience alone qualifies them to test.
Do shops pay A&P apprentices?
Typically yes — apprentices are usually hired as regular shop employees who earn while they log supervised experience. Pay and terms are set by each shop.
How long does it take an apprentice to become a certificated A&P?
At least 18 months of documented practical experience for a single rating, or 30 months covering both Airframe and Powerplant (14 CFR 65.77) — then they pass the FAA written, oral, and practical tests (14 CFR 65.75).
About hiring A&P apprentices
Nationally, about 138,090 aircraft mechanics and service technicians are employed, earning a median wage of about $79,870/year (BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2025). A&P (Airframe & Powerplant) mechanics are certificated by the FAA under 14 CFR Part 65, and documented on-the-job experience under your certificated mechanics is a recognized route to certification eligibility — see the FAA experience requirements. Employers can also formalize training through the U.S. Department of Labor's Registered Apprenticeship program, and the BLS profile for Aircraft Mechanics (49-3011) covers the hiring market.
Are you an aspiring A&P mechanic?