Virginia Metro Area Guide

Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Richmond, VA

Compare the 5 aviation maintenance schools near Richmond, all within 100 miles, BLS May 2025 pay for local aircraft mechanics, and the airports and aviation employers in the area.

Taylor Rupe, Founder & Editor

Edited by , Founder & Editor

Last updated

VirginiaNorth CarolinaMaryland 100 mi 81 mi87 mi95 mi96 mi99 mi Richmond
  • Richmond center
  • School, miles from center
  • 100-mile radius

Schools near Richmond, by straight-line distance

  • Aviation Institute of Maintenance Norfolk (Norfolk): 81 miles
  • Aviation Institute of Maintenance Manassas (Manassas): 87 miles
  • Blue Ridge Community College (Weyers Cave): 95 miles
  • Liberty University (Lynchburg): 96 miles
  • University of the District of Columbia Community College (Washington): 99 miles

Richmond at a Glance

Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Richmond

5

Within 100 mi, FAA 2026

Aircraft Mechanic Jobs, Richmond Metro

140

BLS OEWS, May 2025

Metro Median Pay

$75,100

BLS OEWS, May 2025

Location Quotient

0.24

BLS OEWS, May 2025

RIC Passenger Boardings

2,456,422

FAA, CY2024

Area covered: Richmond, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 40060).

Richmond International Airport landed 740,177,980 pounds of cargo in 2024. Two FAA-certified repair stations serve the metro's business aircraft: Vantage Aviation, formerly Dominion Aviation Services, at Richmond Executive-Chesterfield County Airport, and Aero Industries, a Cessna Service Center at Richmond International, doing airframe, engine, propeller, and avionics work. Local aircraft mechanics and service technicians earn a median $75,100 a year, just under the $79,870 U.S. median for the occupation.

Training sits about an hour and a half away in several directions. Aviation Institute of Maintenance runs Aviation Maintenance Technician certificate campuses in Norfolk, 81.3 miles away, and Manassas, 87.2 miles away. Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, 95 miles out, and Liberty University in Lynchburg, 95.7 miles out, both offer an associate-level path. The University of the District of Columbia Community College, 98.5 miles away, rounds it out.

Within Commuting Range

FAA-Approved Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Richmond

5 FAA-approved schools are within 100 miles, nearest first. The closest is 81 miles away, in Norfolk.

Distances are straight-line miles from the center of Richmond.

See all FAA-approved programs statewide on the aviation maintenance schools in Virginia page.

BLS Wage Data

Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Richmond

Aircraft mechanics in the Richmond metro area earn a median of $75,100 a year ($36.11 an hour), $7,100 below the Virginia median of $82,200.

Aircraft Mechanic Salary, Richmond Metro $75,100median/yr ($36.11/hr)
$55,130 $96,400
Box shows the 25th to 75th percentile. Line spans the 10th to 90th percentile. BLS OEWS, May 2025.

Richmond Pay vs. Virginia and U.S. Medians

The Richmond median is $4,770 below the U.S. median of $79,870.

Median Annual Aircraft Mechanic Wage
Richmond metro $75,100
Virginia statewide $82,200
United States $79,870

BLS OEWS, May 2025

Compare metro areas across the state on the Virginia aircraft mechanic salary page, or see the national aircraft mechanic salary breakdown.

Local Employers

Where Aircraft Mechanics Work in Richmond

BLS counts 140 aircraft mechanic jobs in the Richmond metro area as of May 2025, a location quotient of 0.24.

A location quotient above 1.00 means these jobs make up a larger share of local employment than they do nationally.

  • Business Aviation

    Vantage Aviation (formerly Dominion Aviation Services)

    FAA repair station and FBO at Richmond Executive-Chesterfield County Airport

    Vantage Aviation, which acquired longtime Richmond operator Dominion Aviation Services, runs an FAA-certified repair station and MRO department at Richmond Executive-Chesterfield County Airport.

    Source: Richmond Executive Chesterfield County Airport (FCI) FBO (vantageair.com)

  • Business Aviation

    Aero Industries

    Cessna Service Center and repair station at Richmond International Airport

    Aero Industries is a Cessna Service Center and FAA-certified Part 145 repair station at Richmond International Airport performing airframe, engine, propeller, and avionics maintenance.

    Source: Aero Industries | NDI Services and Full Avionics Services (aeroind.com)

Airports

Commercial and Cargo Airports in the Area

Richmond International (RIC) recorded 2,456,422 passenger boardings in 2024, the most of the airports listed here.

FAA Commercial Service and All-Cargo Airports, Richmond Area
AirportFAA IDHub ClassPassenger Boardings, 2024All-Cargo Landed Weight, 2024 (lb)
Richmond InternationalRICSmall hub2,456,422740,177,980
FAA CY2024 enplanement and all-cargo landed weight data.

Local Context

Cargo Weight Moving Through Richmond International

Richmond International Airport landed 740,177,980 pounds of cargo in 2024. Two FAA-certified repair stations serve the metro's business aircraft: Vantage Aviation, formerly Dominion Aviation Services, at Richmond Executive-Chesterfield County Airport, and Aero Industries, a Cessna Service Center at Richmond International, handling airframe, engine, propeller, and avionics work.

Aircraft mechanic employment in the Richmond metro carries a location quotient of 0.24 for the occupation, below the national average concentration. The cargo moving through Richmond International and the repair work at Vantage Aviation and Aero Industries make up much of the aviation maintenance activity in a metro this size.

Aviation Maintenance Schools Near Richmond: Common Questions

What Schools Train Aircraft Mechanics Near Richmond?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance has campuses in Norfolk (81.3 miles) and Manassas (87.2 miles). Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave (95 miles), Liberty University in Lynchburg (95.7 miles), and the University of the District of Columbia Community College (98.5 miles) are also within reach.

What Do Aircraft Mechanics Earn in Richmond?
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians in the Richmond metro earn a median $75,100 a year, below the $79,870 U.S. median for the occupation.

Who Are the Largest Aviation Maintenance Employers in Richmond?
Vantage Aviation runs a repair station and FBO at Richmond Executive-Chesterfield County Airport, and Aero Industries runs a Cessna Service Center at Richmond International Airport.

How Far Is Aviation Maintenance Training From Richmond?
The closest options are 81.3 to 98.5 miles out, an hour to two hours of driving depending on the campus and traffic.

Do Hours Working at a Local Employer Count Toward FAA Mechanic Certification?
Yes. Documented practical experience under the FAA's mechanic certification rule counts toward the requirements, whether it's gained at a repair station or another aviation employer in the Richmond area.

More Metro Guides

Aviation Maintenance Schools in Other Metro Areas

Aviation Maintenance Schools in VirginiaEvery FAA-approved aviation maintenance school in Virginia, with locations and program facts.Aircraft Mechanic Salary in VirginiaBLS May 2025 pay and employment for Virginia, by metro area.What Aircraft Mechanics EarnBLS pay by percentile, state, metro area, and industry.Steps to the FAA Mechanic CertificateEligibility, training routes, and the knowledge, oral, and practical tests.Aviation Maintenance School CostPublished tuition, fees, and tool costs at FAA-approved schools.Where Aircraft Mechanics WorkTop states, metro areas, and employers, from BLS data.

Sources for School and Pay Data

All sources retrieved .

Read how we source and check school, wage, and airport data for every page on this site.

Virginia

Compare Every Aviation Maintenance School in Virginia

See all 4 FAA-approved schools in Virginia side by side.

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