WSAA Apprentice

Job Description

Job Description

The next cohort of West Star Aviation Academy will start in East Alton, IL on 3/22/27. 

WSAA is a learning Academy in a classroom environment providing new hires with the educational and practical / hands-on knowledge needed about aviation maintenance to test and obtain the FAA Airframe license.    

This position is a full-time paid apprenticeship to include benefits eligibility from day 1.  Temporary living expenses must be covered by the new hire. Upon graduation and attaining the FAA Airframe license, employment continues as a full-time licensed Aircraft Maintenance Technician. 

This hourly position will be enrolled in West Star Aviation Academy (WSAA) for the first 8.5 months of employment, which is physically located in East Alton, Illinois. IT IS A REQUIREMENT TO TEMPORARILY LIVE IN THE GENERAL EAST ALTON, ILLINOIS OR ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI AREA WHILE ATTENDING WSAA.  

This position will be enrolled in West Star Aviation Academy (WSAA) learning about aviation maintenance and working towards obtaining an FAA Airframe license before starting their career with West Star Aviation as a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Technician.  Attending WSAA provides in-depth learning and training about airframe maintenance while building skills through hands-on training in collaboration with Southwestern Illinois College and Choose Aerospace. Mentorship and job shadowing will further bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience.  Upon successful graduation from the Academy, to include licensing by the FAA, apprentices will be promoted into a full-time Aircraft Maintenance Technician position and will begin working on aircraft alongside other West Star Aviation technicians. #ZR 

Before applying, please be aware of the standard of conduct for employment with West Star, along with the minimum requirements below while attending WSAA.

What You’ll Do (essential job functions)

• Work in a full-time position while attending the Academy for the first 8.5 months in accordance with the requirements below.
• Learn about aviation maintenance through formal and hands-on experiences to include using various types of technology, tools and aircraft or job aid boards.
• Test and achieve the FAA Airframe license.
• Continue in employment while performing the essential job functions of a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Technician! 

Who You Are

• High school graduate or the equivalent
• Former military with aviation maintenance experience but without an  FAA Airframe license. 
• An individual with a desire to become a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Technician.
• Demonstrate a strong mechanical aptitude, is respectful and a team player with a self-starter attitude who can adapt to our standards of conduct while working as apart of a team in a safety-oriented environment.
• Committed to completing the full 7.5 month learning curriculum as part of WSAA to earn a “license to learn” and begin your career in Aircraft Maintenance with WSA
• Sign a work commitment to complete WSAA and stay with West Star for 3-years after successfully graduating WSAA or agree to be financially responsible for repaying the cost of the educational curriculum.
• Qualified candidates will be able to pass pre-screening assessments and background checks to include a mechanical aptitude test.
• Highly qualified candidates are those who also have prior aviation maintenance experience but lack an FAA license.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be able to attend and complete every scheduled work / class day (Mon-Fri 7:00am start time 3:30pm end time).
• Must not miss more than 4 hours per week while in the Academy.
• Thereafter, must continue to demonstrate timely and regular attendance and schedule absences in advance with minimal unscheduled absences. Reliable attendance while learning in the Academy and throughout employment is an essential job function.
• To remain employed after completion of the Academy requires timely testing and completion of the FAA requirements to obtain the Airframe license.
• Must perform all learning and thereafter all work in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration guidelines along with Company Policies, Safety, Regulatory and Quality Standards, Aircraft Manuals and Operating Procedures.
• Safety-sensitive positions require a commitment to being drug-free this starts during the pre-employment process and continues on while attending the Academy and throughout employment (random and reasonable suspicion testing). Marijuana is legal in certain States however the FAA follows Federal law and marijuana is illegal.  

All employment with West Star Aviation is at will to include while attending West Star Aviation Academy. This means your employment is for an indefinite period of time and it is subject to termination by you or West Star Aviation, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time. Nothing in this job advertisement or any offer of employment or policy of West Star Aviation shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way, the at-will employment status of West Star Aviation employees.  

West Star Aviation is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is our policy to extend employment to qualified applicants regardless of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, military/veteran status, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.  

West Star Aviation is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with a disability. Candidates who require a reasonable accommodation due to a disability for any part of the application process may contact View email address on ziprecruiter.com or call View phone number on ziprecruiter.com. Determination of requests for reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.

Compensation & Benefit Information

The following information is disclosed according to state specific requirements. If the position applied to is not in a state with these requirements, the following information may not apply. The hourly rate for this position generally ranges between $20 - $23. Actual hourly rate will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience and performance. Additional compensation in the form of a shift differential will be provided if the employee is assigned to an alternate shift. The range listed is just one component of the total compensation package. Other forms of compensation include a semi-annual discretionary bonus, 401(k) company match and employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA).

West Star Aviation’s Benefits

• Benefits Effective Day One for Eligible Employees
• Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage with Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Life Insurance, Disability Benefits & Supplemental Benefits
• 401(k) Plan with Employee Contributions & Employer Match
• Paid Company Holidays & Weekly Paid Time Off Accruals
• Flexible Work Schedules include 5x8, 4x10 and 3x12
• Weekly Competitive & Industry Leading Pay means you are paid more often
• Bonus Opportunity based on Company and Site Performance
• Internal Mobility & Career Advancement opportunities

This position will accept ongoing applications.

West Star Aviation specializes in airframe repair and maintenance, engine repair and maintenance, major modifications, avionics installation and repair, interior refurbishment, paint, parts, surplus avionics sales, window repair and accessory services. The company also provides complete FBO services for transient aircraft at its East Alton and Grand Junction facilities.

Company Description

West Star Aviation specializes in airframe repair and maintenance, engine repair and maintenance, major modifications, avionics installation and repair, interior refurbishment, paint, parts, surplus avionics sales, window repair and accessory services. The company also provides complete FBO services for transient aircraft at its East Alton and Grand Junction facilities.