Lakeland-Winter Haven at a Glance
Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Lakeland-Winter Haven
9
Within 100 mi, FAA 2026
Top Score Nearby
44.7
A&P Mechanic Institute
Aircraft Mechanic Jobs, Lakeland-Winter Haven Metro
110
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Metro Median Pay
$61,020
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location Quotient
0.49
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Area covered: Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 29460).
Draken International, which flies the world's largest privately owned fleet of tactical jets for U.S. military training contracts, runs its headquarters and maintenance operations at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. Aircraft mechanic employment here sits well below the national average, at a location quotient of 0.49, and local median pay is $61,020 a year against the $79,870 U.S. median.
Training options run from right in Lakeland out toward Orlando. A&P Mechanic Institute is 5.2 miles away, training in a fully equipped hangar with real aircraft. Central Florida Aerospace Academy, on the Lakeland Linder airport property itself, is 6.9 miles out. US Aviation Academy Kissimmee is 35.7 miles away, and National Aviation Academy's Tampa Bay campus, in Clearwater, is 48.1 miles out.
Top Picks
Top Picks Near Lakeland-Winter Haven
Among the aviation maintenance schools near Lakeland-Winter Haven, a pick appears only when one school clearly leads on its figure; ties produce none.
Top Pick Near Lakeland-Winter Haven
Highest overall score of the 8 ranked schools, 44.7 out of 100.
Most Affordable Near Lakeland-Winter Haven
Lowest comparable program cost of the 3 ranked schools with one: $19,000, published by the school.
Lakeland-Winter Haven Ranking
Top-Ranked Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Lakeland-Winter Haven
The ranked aviation maintenance schools within 100 miles of Lakeland-Winter Haven, ordered by score. High school programs within 100 miles follow the ranking. Scores are national, out of 100, and the table after the cards shows the points behind them.
Distances are straight-line miles from the center of Lakeland-Winter Haven.
Score bars: Outcomes (30)Cost (25)Program Depth (20)Access (15)Scale (10)
-
- Top Pick Near Lakeland-Winter Haven
#1
A&P Mechanic Institute
Lakeland, Florida 5 miles from Lakeland-Winter Haven #105 nationally
44.7 of 100
This program suits students who want a single private campus offering combined airframe and powerplant ratings on a 15-month day or night schedule in Lakeland, Florida.
- Type
- Private Aviation School
- Credentials
- Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certification
- Length
- 15 months
- Schedule
- day and night classes
-
- Most Affordable Near Lakeland-Winter Haven
#2
Eastern Florida State College
Titusville, Florida 79 miles from Lakeland-Winter Haven #115 nationally
43.2 of 100
This program fits Florida residents who want a two-year combined airframe and powerplant certificate path at Melbourne International Airport, with GI Bill eligibility for veterans.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Career and Technical Certificate (two certificates, combined A&P)
- Length
- two years (2,250 total clock hours for both certificates)
- Cost
- $19,000, total program, Florida residents, both certificates combined
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Starts
- Spring 2026 (January Start); Fall 2026 (August Start)
-
#3
Aviation Institute of Maintenance Orlando
Casselberry, Florida 57 miles from Lakeland-Winter Haven #130 nationally
41.7 of 100
This certificate program fits someone in the Orlando area who wants hands-on day or evening training in a dedicated hangar rather than a two-year degree.
- Type
- Private Aviation School
- Credentials
- Certificate
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Schedule
- day and evening
-
#4
National Aviation Academy, Tampa Bay Campus
Clearwater, Florida 48 miles from Lakeland-Winter Haven #150 nationally
39.7 of 100
This program suits students in the Tampa Bay area who want a 14-month, private-school path to FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification, training in an on-campus hangar at National Aviation Academy's Clearwater, Florida location.
- Type
- Private Aviation School
- Credentials
- Certificate
- Length
- 14 months (2,000 clock hours)
-
#5
Epic Flight Academy
New Smyrna Beach, Florida 92 miles from Lakeland-Winter Haven #162 nationally
38.4 of 100
This program fits students who want a fast, hands-on path to an FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate in 15 months, with GI Bill funding available at its Florida campus.
- Type
- Private Aviation School
- Credentials
- FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate
- Length
- 15 months
- Cost
- $36,995, total program
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Starts
- September 28, 2026 (Erlanger, KY)
-
#6
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, Florida 96 miles from Lakeland-Winter Haven #165 nationally
37.7 of 100
This program fits students who want a four-year bachelor's degree that pairs aviation maintenance science with an optional avionics minor, at a Daytona Beach campus dedicated to aviation.
- Type
- University
- Credentials
- BS in Aviation Maintenance Science
- Length
- 126 credits
- Avionics
- Avionics Line Maintenance minor
-
#7
Charlotte Technical College
Port Charlotte, Florida 73 miles from Lakeland-Winter Haven #171 nationally
36.7 of 100
This program fits students who want the airframe rating as a standalone credential first, with the powerplant rating available separately at the same Port Charlotte campus.
- Type
- Technical College
- Credentials
- Aviation Maintenance General Technician (OCP A); Aviation Maintenance Airframe Technician 1 (OCP B); plus 1 more
- Length
- 1,350 hours
- Starts
- Next start date: February 10, 2027 (registration deadline February 2, 2027)
-
#8
US Aviation Academy Kissimmee
Kissimmee, Florida 36 miles from Lakeland-Winter Haven #201 nationally
29.1 of 100
This fits students who want a fast 16-month aircraft mechanic program with tools provided at a newly opened Florida campus near Orlando.
- Type
- Private Aviation School
- Credentials
- FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certification
- Length
- 16-month program
- Cost
- $36,000, total program
| Rank | School | Score | Outcomes (30) | Cost (25) | Program Depth (20) | Access (15) | Scale (10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A&P Mechanic Institute | 44.7 | † | † | 8 | 5 | † |
| 2 | Eastern Florida State College | 43.2 | † | 6 | 8 | 10 | † |
| 3 | AIM Orlando | 41.7 | † | † | 0 | 10 | † |
| 4 | NAA Tampa Bay | 39.7 | † | † | 8 | 0 | † |
| 5 | Epic Flight Academy | 38.4 | † | 1.2 | 8 | 10 | † |
| 6 | Embry-Riddle | 37.7 | † | † | 6 | 0 | † |
| 7 | Charlotte Technical College | 36.7 | † | † | 0 | 5 | † |
| 8 | USAA Kissimmee | 29.1 | † | 1.9 | 8 | 0 | † |
High School Pathways
High School Aviation Maintenance Programs Near Lakeland-Winter Haven
This FAA-approved program is run by a high school or career center, so it is listed apart from the college ranking, nearest first.
See the full best aviation maintenance schools in Florida ranking.
BLS Wage Data
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Lakeland-Winter Haven
Aircraft mechanics in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area earn a median of $61,020 a year ($29.34 an hour), $15,920 below the Florida median of $76,940.
Lakeland-Winter Haven Pay vs. Florida and U.S. Medians
The Lakeland-Winter Haven median is $18,850 below the U.S. median of $79,870.
Avionics Technician Pay in Lakeland-Winter Haven
BLS counts 30 avionics technicians in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area, with a median of $74,500 a year.
Compare metro areas across the state on the Florida aircraft mechanic salary page, or see the national aircraft mechanic salary breakdown.
Local Employers
Where Aircraft Mechanics Work in Lakeland-Winter Haven
BLS counts 110 aircraft mechanic jobs in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area as of May 2025, a location quotient of 0.49.
A location quotient above 1.00 means these jobs make up a larger share of local employment than they do nationally.
Draken International
Corporate headquarters and maintenance, repair and overhaul hangar complex at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport
Draken International, which operates the world's largest privately owned fleet of tactical jets for U.S. military training contracts, maintains its headquarters and MRO operations at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport.
$6.7 million expansion adding 55 jobs
Source: Draken International Invests $6.7 million To Develop Operations Center at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport - Area Development (areadevelopment.com)
Airports
Commercial and Cargo Airports in the Area
Lakeland Linder International (LAL) recorded 24,185 passenger boardings in 2024, the most of the airports listed here.
| Airport | FAA ID | Hub Class | Passenger Boardings, 2024 | All-Cargo Landed Weight, 2024 (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland Linder International | LAL | Nonhub | 24,185 | 760,310,000 |
Local Context
A Cargo Airport Built Around One Big Tenant
Lakeland Linder International landed 760,310,000 pounds of cargo in 2024, and Draken International's headquarters and MRO hangar complex sit right on the field. Draken operates the world's largest privately owned fleet of tactical jets under U.S. military training contracts, work that keeps airframe and engine crews busy well beyond the airport's passenger side.
That single tenant shapes the local job market more than most metros this size see from one company. A mechanic here can build a career around tactical jet maintenance without leaving the Lakeland area, a specialty most training programs elsewhere don't offer close to home.
Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Lakeland-Winter Haven: Common Questions
What Schools Near Lakeland Train Aircraft Mechanics?
What Do Aircraft Mechanics Earn in Lakeland-Winter Haven?
Who Is the Largest Aviation Maintenance Employer in Lakeland?
How Far Is Training From Where Mechanics Work in Lakeland?
Do Hours at a Local Employer Count Toward FAA Certification?
More Metro Guides
Aviation Maintenance School Rankings in Other Metro Areas
Sources for School and Pay Data
- FAA AV-Info Part 147 school records
- Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (49-3011)
- Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025: Avionics Technicians (49-2091)
- Commercial Service Airports, CY2024 Enplanements
- Passenger Boarding (Enplanement) and All-Cargo Data for U.S. Airports
- Draken International: Draken International Invests $6.7 million To Develop Operations Center at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport - Area Development
All sources retrieved .
Read how we source and check school, wage, and airport data for every page on this site.