The weekend of February 27th and 28th was spent hosting the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) SportAir Workshops. The event was attended by over 70 participants, and was held at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Orlando, Florida. The courses that were held here were Sheet Metal, Fabric Covering, Electrical Systems, Composites, and Light Sport Aircraft Inspection.
These EAA Sport Air Workshops are self contained road shows. Everything that was needed for the classes was supplied by them. The materials began arriving about a week prior to the classes. We simply supplied a facility for the classes. They brought everything down to their own coffee pot, and even bought pizza for all in attendance on Saturday evening!
In exchange for hosting the event, the EAA awarded one of our students with a $500 scholarship. The scholarship was open to every student attending our school; with a 100 word essay comprising the competition. “There were many good applications.” said Mark Forss of the EAA, “We’ve chosen Christopher Carrico as the award recipient.”
Christopher Carrico attended the Scholarship Award Ceremony on Saturday before the evening classes commenced. While he was there he had the opportunity to see the Sheet Metal class and their projects. He noted that, “These projects are almost the same projects that we did in our Sheet Metal class!” He was amazed at their project progress, and talked about attending the classes next year.
The classes for the SportAir Workshops were attended by AIM instructors, Al Doherty and Mike Fish, (as observers) and they got many excellent ideas for teaching points, as well as ideas for in-class projects. They were amazed at how simple the projects were, and yet they incorporated a wide breadth of topics.
Also in attendance for the Light Sport Aircraft Inspection class was the first Light Sport Aircraft manufactured by Piper Aircraft, the PiperSport. It was exciting to get the first look at this aircraft, and those in attendance for the events were excited about it as well.
Many thanks to Mark Forss and the EAA members and class attendees. They were all very courteous and professional. This event may become an annual event here in Orlando, Florida
Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM), Chesapeake campus had the opportunity to host the EAA’s Aircraft Builders’ Workshop for the 2nd year on February 20th and 21st. EAA members from around the country attended the two day event and appreciated the academic setting we offered for their workshop. EAA offered six workshops (one of their largest offerings) and had a great turnout of around 125 people (not counting the AIM instructors who were allowed to audit the workshops). It was a great opportunity for the school to work with a wide range of aviation enthusiasts and to learn some new tricks of the trade. Our group of instructors benefited from the workshops and will be able to bring some of that experience into the classroom.
EAA is a growing and diverse organization of members with a wide range of aviation interests and backgrounds. EAA was founded in 1953 by a group of individuals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who were interested in building their own airplanes. Through the decades, the organization expanded its mission to include antiques, classics, warbirds, aerobatic aircraft, ultralights, helicoptors and contemporary manufactured aircraft.
One way the EAA showed their appreciation for the use of the facility was by offering a $500 scholarship to a current student of the AIM, Chesapeake campus. The student scholarship was awarded to Paige Morgan for her well written EAA essay.
Humbled and honored, Paige was glad to receive the scholarship and already had plans for applying it to her education. Plans are being laid to host this event again next year as part of an ongoing arrangement between the school and EAA.
It was a wonderful weekend for all involved!
Aviation mechanics are in short supply and the shortage is predicted to continue. The pool of qualified aviation and avionics mechanics and technicians is decreasing at an alarming rate. There are many factors affecting the supply of these trained aircraft technicians including population growth and the global business environment; passenger air travel is at an all-time high; increasing military demands and fewer students entering technical schools.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) is meeting the growing demand for FAA Certified Aviation Maintenance Technicians (A&P Mechanics) and Avionics Technicians through technical training programs. The success and hands-on experience of the AIM schools has assisted in meeting the demands of many of America’s leading airlines and aviation companies by supplying them with highly skilled technicians. Many of these students are then eligible to take the FAA exams necessary to obtain a mechanic’s certificate with rating in Airframe and Powerplant, commonly known as an A&P license.
Since the first aviation school began in 1994, AIM has grown into the largest group of aviation maintenance schools approved by the FAA. “Our goal is to provide a quality education and career opportunities for each of our graduates,” states Gerald Yagen, President of AIM. Long-standing relationships with aviation industry leaders, has helped AIM to design innovative programs to suit the needs of the very people who hire the program graduates.
By keeping abreast of industry trends, AIM is able to invest in relevant equipment, training aids and faculty to support student career goals while providing client companies with the specific qualifications they desire in a new aviation technician. AIM has nine campuses nationwide including Atlanta; Chesapeake, Virginia; Dallas; Houston; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Manassas, Virginia; Orlando, and Philadelphia. For information can be found at www.aviationmaintenance.edu.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM), Dallas campus is partnering with EAA’s SportAir Workshops to offer a weekend training session for all people interested in aviation and kit building. The workshops are being held the weekend of March 6th and 7th and offers courses in Fabric Covering, Composite Construction, Sheet Metal Basics, and Electrical Systems & Avionics.
EAA provides all the materials and instructors, while the aviation school supplies the facility. “Since we have the students working on our WWI project, the Sopwith Scott, in addition to getting their aviation mechanics training, it’s a natural fit that the EAA hosts their workshop at our facility,” states Robert Manuel, AIM’s Education Coordinator.
The courses are open to the public and to register visit the EAA’s website, www.sportair.com.
There is no mistake, this economy has taken its toll on the housing market and all associated businesses. Donald Williams was no exception. Williams had been a successful owner of a structural renovation business, specializing in residential homes and light commercial businesses for 14 years on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. However, when the economy began its downward spiral and home owners began losing their homes, Williams’ business also began to spiral. Figuring that this would be the perfect opportunity to explore his lifelong dream of aviation, he discovered the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM).
However, Williams had another concern – his age. After being out of school for nearly 40 years, could he return to school and do well? There was only one way to find out and Williams enrolled in the Aviation Maintenance Technician program at AIM’s Chesapeake campus in 2007, one month shy of his 57th birthday.
The program, which is designed to prepare students to pass the FAA Airframe & Powerplant rating exam, trains students to service, repair, and overhaul aircraft components and systems. Having been in construction virtually all of his life, learning about turbine and piston engines, propellers, composites and carburetors was an eye-opening experience for Williams initially. Nevertheless, he quickly caught on and was not only an honor student throughout his entire program, but he also tutored and mentored his classmates. As a result, Williams was a nominee for the Aviation Technical Education Council Student of the Year Award.
Williams graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2009 with a 3.94 G.P.A. and received the “Outstanding Attendance” Award. He also completed his FAA Airframe & Powerplant rating exam in minimal time and earned his rating. He is now working as an Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic for US Airways in Salisbury, Maryland, only minutes from his home. Now 59, Williams went from fixing homes to fixing airplanes and loves every minute of it.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) is partnering with EAA’s SportAir Workshops to offer a weekend training session for all people interested in aviation and kit building. The workshops are the weekend of February 20th and 21st and offers courses in Fabric Covering, Composite Construction, Sheet Metal Basics, and Electrical Systems & Avionics.
EAA provides all the materials and instructors, while the aviation school supplies the facility. “With the students and staff working on the Nieuport 24, a WWI replica aircraft, at the school, a partnership with the Aircraft Builder Workshops was a natural fit,” states Mike Huffman, AIM’s School Director. “The workshop participants will get a real hands-on experience with building aircraft kits, much more than you can get by only reading the books.”
The courses are open to the public for registration through EAA’s website, www.sportair.com.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM), Atlanta campus, has over 500 students, but rarely does a student leave such an impression as Tyesha Cuttino. While earning her aviation maintenance technician certificate, Cuttino was often on honor roll and received numerous awards for perfect attendance. This last summer, Cuttino received the Northrop Rice Foundation James Villnave Memorial Scholarship. This is a yearly scholarship eligible to students of FAA approved PART 147 aviation schools. “She applied for multiple scholarships and was actively engaged in the process herself with my prodding,” states Student Services Coordinator, Jerry White.
Villnave Memorial Scholarship is sponsored by the James Villnave Charitable Trust and was set up in honor of James Villnave, a well-known aviation maintenance figure in the Kansas City area and the owner of the Villnave Airport in Belton, MO
Although Cuttino has just graduated this last December, she will not soon be forgotten. “I can say she was one of the most engaged students I have had the pleasure of knowing,” adds White.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM), Kansas City have been working on their Morane Saulnier A-1 World War I replica aircraft as part of an initiative sent out by the company president and vintage aircraft aficionado, Gerald Yagen in 2007. AIM-Kansas City’s on-going work and dedication on this project has earned them the Experimental Aircraft Association’s award for Contribution to Aviation. Congratulations, AIM-Kansas City on a job well done.
By: Richard Livingston
On November 6, 2009, the first contingent of student interns from AMM began work at various locations in the Washington, DC area. This was the kick-off of the student intern program for individuals enrolled in aviation maintenance courses at the Manassas, Virginia facility, and the first cycle of the voluntary program was completed on December 11th, 2009. There is no monetary compensation for program participation.
Under program guidelines, interns agree to serve each Friday at a designated host facility for the duration of at least one academic module (five weeks). The Office of Career Services identifies corporations and organizations within the local commute area that wish to provide interns the opportunity to gain hands-on maintenance experience at their respective facilities. Interns work under the general direction of the various Directors of Maintenance at participating corporations and are provided direct supervision from experienced aircraft mechanics employed by the host organization. Program participants – both industry representatives and student interns – view the program as a “win-win” arrangement. The interns gain first-hand maintenance experience in a real world aviation environment, while the sponsoring organizations benefit from having willing hands and positive attitudes to assist with routine maintenance tasks in their shops and on their flight lines.
Students are selected for participation in the intern program on a competitive basis. Candidates are initially recommended by their instructors and endorsed by the AMM Education Director. Factors considered in the selection process include student academic performance, class attendance records, general attitude of the candidate and quality of a short essay describing reasons for interest in the program. The Career Services Director provides the industry host organization with the candidate’s resume’ and works one-on-one with the sponsoring host to ensure that the intern is a “good fit” for both parties. The School Director monitors the intern program and determines the size and scope of the effort based on student population, number of interested candidates, number and type of industry participants and other factors.
Feedback from the first cycle of the intern program has been highly favorable and, as word circulates throughout the AMM student body, the level of interest in the program has obviously increased substantially. As the second program cycle gets underway, the number of industry sponsors has already surpassed previous levels of participation and the list of interested student candidates continues to grow. Hopefully, when the time comes to place AMM’s graduates in the aviation industry, this intern experience will translate to a head-start in the employment process.
The School Director and all of the school’s staff would like to thank the participating industry sponsors; Aviation Adventures, Skyworld Aviation, DynCorp International, Manassas Aviation Center and Air Serv International.
The Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) in Indianapolis was proud to have Carmen Thompson, Recruitment Specialist from Pinnacle Airlines, as our special guest on November 10th and 11th. Pinnacle Airlines has a long history of recruiting new A & P Mechanics from Indy AIM.
This visit, Ms. Thompson was accompanied by the Parts Foreman from the Indianapolis base for Pinnacle, Jon Zeiler. Another special guest, Josh Ware, an Indy AIM alumni, also visited and talked to the students and graduates about what it is like working for Pinnacle Airlines as an A & P mechanic.
Ms. Thompson addressed a large and interested crowd of students and recent graduates, 16 of whom scheduled interviews which followed the presentation. Pinnacle Airlines is characterized as “family oriented” and has an offers an impressive portfolio of benefits which can provide for their employees long-term health and retirement benefits.
Pinnacle in South Bend will be interviewing three lucky applicants later this week, and Indy AIM staff and faculty wishes them best of luck in landing that first job out of training!
Orlando | centuranews | 
March 10, 2010 6:45 pm | 
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