Program Overview
This program fits students who want both the Airframe and Powerplant ratings with a choice of credential length, from a shorter certificate up to a two-year associate degree, in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
SOWELA Technical Community College's Aviation Maintenance Technology program offers three credential lengths covering both the Airframe and Powerplant ratings: a Certificate of Technical Studies, a Technical Diploma, and an Associate of Applied Science. It's one of four FAA-certified Part 147 schools in Louisiana and is ATMAE-accredited. The training fleet includes a Boeing jet, seven light aircraft, 3 helicopters, and a Redbird Flight Simulator, all based in Lake Charles.
Total program cost for the Associate of Applied Science path is $10,848.33. As a community college program with three stacked credential options, students can weigh a shorter certificate against the full associate degree based on how much time and training they want up front. The nearest other FAA Part 147 school is 70.1 miles from Lake Charles.
FAA AV-Info and School Pages
Program Facts
| Program Name | Aviation Maintenance Technology |
|---|---|
| Credentials |
|
| Ratings | Airframe and Powerplant |
| Program Length | AAS: 81 semester credits / 1,680 clock hours; Technical Diploma: 66 credit hours / 1,455 clock hours |
| Published Cost | $10,848.33Total program, AASWhere the school states it (sowela.edu) |
| FAA Certificate Number | BB9T028R |
| Address | 3820 Sen. J. Bennett Johnston Avenu, Lake Charles, LA 70615 |
| Phone | (434) 237-2002 |
FAA AV-Info (certificate, address) and the school's own pages (program details), retrieved September 22, 2026
Official School Pages
- Official program page sowela.edu
- Official SOWELA website sowela.edu
In the School's Words
Program Highlights
- Training fleet includes a Boeing 727 aircraft, 7 light aircraft, 3 helicopters, and a Redbird Flight Simulator
- One of four FAA-certified Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Training Schools in Louisiana
- ATMAE-accredited program
- Located in Lake Charles, Louisiana
As stated on sowela.edu
U.S. Department of Education
IPEDS Data: Awards, Tuition and Graduation Rate
Federal IPEDS figures for SOWELA Technical Community College, a public institution. Aviation maintenance award levels: Associate's. Completions across these programs: 6 per year.
Annual Tuition
$3,335
Graduation Rate (Institution)
43%
Total Enrollment
3,446
Source: IPEDS
| Program | CIP Code | Award Level | Annual Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician | 47.0608 | Associate's | 6 |
Tuition is the institution's published annual rate; the program's own published cost appears in the facts table when the school states one. See the record on College Navigator.
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location and Aircraft Mechanic Pay Near Lake Charles
SOWELA Technical Community College is at 3820 Sen. J. Bennett Johnston Avenu, Lake Charles, LA 70615. Compare it with every aviation maintenance school in Louisiana.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
Annual median wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians (SOC 49-3011), BLS OEWS May 2025. See the Louisiana aircraft mechanic salary data.
By Straight-Line Distance
Nearby Aviation Maintenance Schools
The closest FAA-approved schools to SOWELA Technical Community College, by straight-line distance.
South Louisiana Community College
Lafayette, LA · 70 mi from Lake Charles
Baton Rouge Community College
Central, LA · 128 mi from Lake Charles
Chennault Aviation Maintenance Academy
Conroe, TX · 129 mi from Lake Charles
Aviation Institute of Maintenance Houston
Houston, TX · 133 mi from Lake Charles
Universal Technical Institute Houston
Houston, TX · 136 mi from Lake Charles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SOWELA Technical Community College's Aviation Program FAA-certificated Under Part 147?
How Long Does the Program Take?
What Does the Program Cost?
What FAA Ratings Does the Program Cover?
Where Is the Program Located?
Sources
- FAA AV-Info Part 147 school record for SOWELA Technical Community College
- Aviation Maintenance Technology | SOWELA Technical Community College
- College Navigator: SOWELA Technical Community College
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
All sources retrieved .
How we compile school profiles, and what each source can and cannot tell you, is explained in our data methodology.