(WICHITA, KANSAS) Yingling Aviation has launched a new Apprenticeship Program in 2025 to train Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) mechanics in Wichita, marking a direct investment in the city’s aviation workforce at a time of growing demand for skilled maintenance talent. At a ceremony attended by the inaugural class, Yingling team members, aviation influencers, and government officials, the company introduced an on-the-job training model that pairs paid, hands-on work with mentorship from experienced technicians. The program aims to build a reliable talent pipeline while supporting Wichita’s role as the “Air Capital of the World.”
The company’s approach is straightforward: apprentices step into real maintenance environments and gain supervised experience on airframes and powerplants while documenting every hour of practical work. That experience is designed to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements so graduates can qualify for A&P mechanic certification and test for their licenses.
Yingling emphasizes that this route is not only practical but also cost-conscious for candidates who want to learn in a working shop rather than through full-time classroom training.
Program leadership and training approach
Yingling’s Training Manager, Amy Preskitt, an Air Force veteran, leads the program and stresses both technical skill and personal development. Apprentices rotate across tasks and teams, build confidence with tools and procedures, and learn the habits that make safe maintenance second nature—clean documentation, strict adherence to manuals, and respect for the chain of supervision.
That mix of instruction and shop-floor work is meant to produce mechanics who can be trusted with complex inspections and repairs from day one after certification.
“The program combines hands-on experience and mentorship to produce FAA-ready technicians who understand both the technical and procedural expectations of aircraft maintenance.”
Program launch details
- Debut: The first class began in 2025, with a public launch event recognizing the apprentices and the community partners supporting the effort.
- Structure: Apprentices receive supervised, practical experience in airframe and powerplant maintenance that counts toward FAA on-the-job training (OJT) requirements.
- Goal: Build a steady pipeline of A&P candidates to meet employer needs in Wichita and support the city’s long-term aviation growth.
Role description and participant expectations
Yingling describes the apprentice role as a paid position with clear expectations. Key elements include:
- Work under supervision in real maintenance environments.
- Maintain detailed logs of tasks and hours to support FAA eligibility.
- Prepare for the FAA’s written, oral, and practical exams once required experience is complete.
- Have experience signed off by certified personnel to be recognized by the FAA.
Important note: The FAA will only recognize experience that is both practical and properly verified, so steady, documented progress is critical.
Certification pathway and official guidance
The FAA sets specific thresholds for A&P eligibility. Under current rules, candidates must accumulate either:
- 18 months of practical experience in airframe or powerplant work, or
- 30 months of concurrent experience covering both airframe and powerplant.
Experience must be documented and supervised by a certified mechanic. After reaching those thresholds, candidates can take the required FAA written, oral, and practical exams to earn the A&P license.
For official details, applicants can review the Federal Aviation Administration’s guidance: FAA Mechanic Certification – Eligibility and Requirements. The page outlines acceptable experience, how to schedule tests, and how the FAA evaluates work histories from OJT programs like Yingling’s.
What apprentices will do day-to-day
Participants will encounter a range of real-world maintenance tasks, including:
- Routine inspections and scheduled maintenance
- Troubleshooting systems and components
- Structural work and parts replacement
- Coordination with inspectors and certified personnel
The program emphasizes a continuous feedback loop—mentor to apprentice and apprentice back to mentor—to convert basic skills into professional habits. By aligning every hour of shop work with FAA criteria, daily tasks become documented progress toward the A&P ticket.
Who the program suits
Yingling positions the apprenticeship as a direct bridge into aviation maintenance careers. This pathway is suitable for:
- Veterans transitioning to civilian careers
- Recent high school graduates
- Workers shifting from other trades
- Anyone who prefers hands-on, paid training over full-time classroom programs
The paid model reduces financial barriers, while mentorship protects quality and safety.
Industry context and benefits
The program’s timing responds to industry needs. Employers across Wichita report increasing difficulty hiring experienced A&P mechanics as fleets age, business jet usage rebounds, and scheduled maintenance grows. Analysis by VisaVerge.com indicates that structured, employer-led programs offering paid training and clear certification paths help companies keep pace with demand while giving entry-level workers a direct route to well-paid, stable roles.
Expected local benefits:
- Stabilize staffing and reduce overtime pressure on current crews
- Shorten hiring timelines and produce FAA-ready hires
- Support nearby operators, parts suppliers, and maintenance shops with qualified technicians
- Encourage local students and career changers to remain in Wichita
Application and next steps
As of September 2025, Yingling is recognizing its first wave of apprentices and plans to expand future cohorts. Company leaders say the goals are to meet internal hiring needs and support Wichita’s broader maintenance ecosystem.
For applicants ready to move, Yingling’s careers page lists A&P Mechanic Apprentice openings and explains expectations, schedules, and HR contact options. Interested candidates can:
- Apply directly through Yingling’s website (careers page).
- Contact HR to learn cohort timing and interview steps.
- Prepare to document supervised hours and study for FAA written, oral, and practical exams as experience milestones are reached.
Key takeaways
- The Yingling Apprenticeship Program is a paid, hands-on pathway designed to meet FAA requirements and lead to A&P certification.
- It targets workforce needs in Wichita, supporting the city’s aviation ecosystem and long-term talent pipeline.
- The program lowers financial barriers for trainees and emphasizes mentorship, safety, and rigorous documentation—essential elements for FAA recognition.
VisaVerge.com finds that employer-backed programs with clear certification targets tend to improve completion rates because apprentices see each milestone as part of a defined outcome: the A&P license. Yingling’s program aligns OJT hours, supervisor sign-offs, and exam preparation into a visible progression that benefits apprentices, the company, and Wichita’s aviation community.
This Article in a Nutshell
Yingling Aviation’s 2025 Apprenticeship Program in Wichita provides paid, supervised on-the-job training for aspiring Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) mechanics to meet FAA certification requirements. Led by Training Manager Amy Preskitt, apprentices rotate through real maintenance tasks, document practical hours, and receive mentorship and certified sign-offs. The program aligns everyday shop work with FAA OJT standards so graduates can sit for the FAA written, oral, and practical exams. Launched with a public event and first cohort recognized in September 2025, Yingling aims to expand future cohorts to supply local employers with FAA-ready technicians, reduce hiring gaps, and support Wichita’s aviation ecosystem.
