Date of Award

12-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Aviation (AvD)

Department

Aeronautics

First Advisor

Brooke Wheeler

Second Advisor

Rian Mehta

Third Advisor

Ersoy Subasi

Fourth Advisor

Emily Martinez-Vogt

Abstract

This quantitative, correlational study examined the relationship between Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) instructor experience and student pass rates in 14 CFR Part 147 maintenance schools. Data were collected from February to August 2025 using purposive and snowball sampling, which yielded 67 complete responses. Instructor experience, measured in months of A&P-rated maintenance work prior to teaching, ranged from 1 to 684 months (M = 253.54, SD = 197.97). Student pass rates, defined as the proportion of students passing ACS element subject area courses, ranged from .52 to 1.00 (M = .95, SD = .07). Most instructors were male, White, over 50 years old, and held bachelor’s or graduate degrees. Cross-checking a subset of responses with school records demonstrated fair reliability (ICC = .43–.52). Descriptive analyses highlighted diverse certification pathways and variable real-world maintenance experience; 12% reported one year or less of experience, and nearly half had never performed annual inspections. Pearson’s correlation assessed the linear relationship between instructor experience and student pass rates. Results suggested that teaching effectiveness may depend more on instructional preparation and curriculum alignment than industry experience alone. Validity threats, including selection bias and instrumentation, were mitigated through data verification, standardized surveys, and IRB-approved procedures. These findings inform hiring practices, regulatory standards, and instructional quality for 14 CFR Part 147 programs. They underscore the importance of ensuring that qualified, experienced AMTs serve as instructors to maintain high-quality aviation education, reduce retraining demands, and support a sustainable pipeline of competent aviation professionals.

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