Aviation Institute of Maintenance

Reviews

• CL

  Chandler Laurens

  Sep 27, 2026
  1.0
  I graduated from AIM Norfolk in May of 2026 with my A&P. The following review is about my experiences and overall dissatisfaction with the institution. My intention in writing this review is to hopefully prevent someone else from making the same mistake I did by attending AIM. First and foremost, my chief complaint is the cost of the school. My wife and I paid ~$53,000 for me to attend. I now work in a hangar where everyone other than myself paid at or less than $10,000 for their certificate. I have discussed this with my fellow students that attended AIM with me and we have all arrived at the same conclusion, AIM is criminally overpriced. The only thing I can conclude to justify such a price, is that the institution knows the majority of its student body are veterans and will be using their GI bill. Meaning AIM’s goal is to make money, not for them to assist in any way shape or form. My second complaint is how backwards the curriculum is. When I did my first initial walkthrough of the school, it was advertised as a “hands on” school where most of your time would be spent working on aircraft or other relevant projects. I spent more than 2/3rds of my time in attendance at AIM sitting in a classroom self studying for the 3 written exams and practicals you need to get your A&P. At first I was very annoyed at the lack of shop time but then I realized all the instructors that weren’t taking the time to be in the shop were ACTUALLY the ones that cared the most. Those instructors know how the game is played. They would give us class time to spend studying what matters most, the FAA tests. My third complaint is the top heaviness of the organization. There are almost as many “administrative” workers at AIM as there are instructors. Not to mention almost none of the “administrators” have ever worked in the field of aviation, and therefore hold the instructors and students to policies that they change over and over. The “experience” they will tell you will be getting will not count towards ANYTHING in the actual field. Go to a community college to get your A&P or choose a different route. AIM is the worst possible option.
• MG

  Mike Gottwald

  Aug 21, 2026
  5.0
  Let me start by saying you get what you put in. If you put all u can you will do just fine instructors really care about students and want them to succeed. If they see you want to learn and you are putting the effort they will do absolutely everything they can to help you out. The school does not teach you to work on aircraft they teach you to pass the FAA exams yes you will learn things you find useless but I guarantee you will see that useless stuff on your faa exam.
• KL

  Kerri L.

  Aug 13, 2026
  5.0
  Very well-run institution. Is inspirational just being on-site. Any young man or woman who is looking for direction should check it out!
• GS

  Gringo Suave

  May 14, 2026
  5.0
  A spectacular facility for learning aviation maintenance. Probably the best in the country.
• SS

  Stacyn03

  May 1, 2026
  5.0
  My son is very excited to start school. Wonderful staff, great school.

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