Aviation Maintenance Technology Powerplant IV (College Credit)

Course Description

AMT1774C — Aviation Maintenance Technology Powerplant IV is a college-credit, integrated lecture-and-laboratory course in Florida's college-credit aviation maintenance programs. Distinct from the FAA Part 147 PSAV powerplant sequence (AMT0821–AMT0824, the certificating clock-hour curriculum), AMT1774C is a college-credit equivalent or survey-level powerplant course offered to students in the A.S. in Aviation Maintenance Management track who may not be pursuing the FAA mechanic certificate but require strong powerplant systems knowledge for management, planning, or oversight roles.

The "IV" in the title indicates this is the fourth in a college-credit powerplant sequence (AMT1771C–AMT1774C or equivalent), addressing turbine engines, advanced reciprocating-engine systems, propellers, and engine instruments at college-credit depth with management orientation. This course is offered at Broward College Aviation Institute and similar Florida programs that offer parallel college-credit and PSAV pathways.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of AMT1774C, students will be able to:

• Inspect, troubleshoot, and service turbine engines at the level required for college-credit mechanic-management coursework: turbojet, turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft theory; engine performance parameters; condition monitoring.
• Apply turbine-engine inspection methods: borescope inspection (BSI); hot-section inspection (HSI); engine condition trend monitoring (ECTM); shop visit planning.
• Inspect and service aircraft propellers: fixed-pitch, controllable-pitch, constant-speed, full-feathering, and reversing propeller systems; propeller governors; balance and tracking.
• Inspect and service engine fuel systems: turbine fuel control units; reciprocating-engine carburetors and fuel injection; FADEC systems.
• Inspect and service engine ignition systems: magneto ignition (reciprocating); capacitor-discharge ignition (turbine); starting systems.
• Inspect and service engine instruments: tachometers; temperature indicators (thermocouples); pressure gauges; fuel-flow transmitters.
• Apply engine fire-protection systems: detection (continuous-loop, thermal-switch); extinguishing (halon, clean-agent); squib and discharge testing.
• Apply maintenance management principles to powerplant work: reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) concepts; on-condition vs. hard-time vs. condition-monitoring maintenance; cost analysis of overhaul vs. replace decisions.
• Document maintenance per 14 CFR 43.9 and 43.11; understand return-to-service authority limits.

Optional Outcomes

• Apply oil analysis programs for engine condition monitoring (spectrometric oil analysis program / SOAP).
• Apply vibration analysis for turbine engines.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Turbine Engine Theory: Brayton cycle; thrust equation; engine sections; turbojet/turbofan/turboprop/turboshaft applications.
• Turbine Engine Components: Compressors (axial, centrifugal); combustion chambers; turbine sections; accessory drives.
• Turbine Engine Systems: Lubrication; fuel control (hydromechanical, EEC, FADEC); ignition (capacitor-discharge); starting (pneumatic, electric).
• Turbine Performance and Inspection: Performance parameters (N1, N2, EGT, ITT, fuel flow); borescope inspection; hot-section inspection; ECTM.
• Reciprocating Engine Systems (Advanced): Carburetion vs. fuel injection; turbocharging and supercharging; ignition (magneto-based); starting.
• Aircraft Propellers: Pitch types (fixed, ground-adjustable, controllable, constant-speed); full-feathering and reversing; governors; balance; ice protection.
• Engine Instruments: Tachometers; temperature indicators; pressure gauges; fuel-flow transmitters.
• Engine Fire Protection: Detection types (continuous-loop, thermal-switch); extinguishing agents (halon, clean-agent); squib testing.
• Maintenance Management: Reliability-centered maintenance (RCM); maintenance philosophies (on-condition, hard-time, condition-monitoring); cost-benefit analysis; engine reliability programs.
• Documentation and Regulatory: 14 CFR Parts 43, 65, 91, 121, 145; FAA Form 337 for major repairs/alterations; airworthiness directive compliance tracking.

Resources & Tools

• Dale Crane Aviation Maintenance Technician Series — Powerplant (ASA); Walter Treager Aircraft Gas Turbine Engine Technology
• FAA AC 43.13-1B; AC 65-9 (Powerplant); engine TCDS; service bulletins
• Engine maintenance manuals for representative training engines
• 14 CFR Parts 33, 39, 43, 65, 91, 145
• Borescope equipment

Career Pathways

AMT1774C as a college-credit course supports career paths emphasizing aviation maintenance management, planning, and supervision rather than (or in addition to) hands-on certificated mechanic work. Specific career destinations include:

• Maintenance Planning and Reliability Engineer at airline and corporate flight departments.
• Maintenance Supervisor at Part 145 repair stations.
• Quality Assurance Inspector at FAA Repair Stations.
• Engine Reliability Analyst at airlines tracking fleet engine health.
• Continuing Study toward A.S. in Aviation Maintenance Management or transfer to bachelor's programs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Special Information

Course Format

Typically 3 credits, 60 contact hours integrated lecture and laboratory.

Distinction from PSAV Powerplant Coursework

AMT1774C is a college-credit course distinct from the FAA Part 147 PSAV powerplant series (AMT0821–AMT0824). Students seeking the FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic certificate must complete the FAA-approved Part 147 PSAV curriculum and pass FAA examinations; AMT1774C alone does not qualify a student to test for the FAA Powerplant rating. Many students pursue both pathways: PSAV for FAA certificate, college credit for management/A.S. degree progress.

Articulation

AMT1774C typically applies toward the A.S. in Aviation Maintenance Management at Florida College System institutions, and supports continuing study toward upper-division aviation programs.