MVCC Airframe and Powerplant students compete in Aerospace Maintenance Competition in Texas

mvcc aviation teamIn late April, Mohawk Valley Community College aviation maintenance students traveled to Dallas, Texas, to compete in the Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC), which recognizes the work of aviation maintenance technicians and provides an opportunity for current and future technicians to showcase their skills and see how they stack up against peers across the country.

MVCC’s team was made up of Nicholas Gross, Nicholas Watkins, Michael Szczesniak, Brock Cottrell, and Nicholas Maw — all students in MVCC’s Airframe and Powerplant Certificate program. This year’s team was sponsored by CommutAir, Piedmont Airlines, Bombardier Aerospace, JETNET LLC, Landcare Aviation Inc., NAVMAR, and Robert Reutter.

During the competition, five-member teams compete in one of six categories: commercial aviation, general aviation, space, education, military, and repair and manufacturing. In total, there were 74 teams — including professional and college teams — competing in 27 maintenance skill events. MVCC’s team finished 35th overall and 13th out of 28 college teams. They also placed in the Top 10 in 11 different events, five of which were Top 5 finishes. Here are their top events:

  • Power Troubleshooting: MVCC placed 10th in the Education Category and 30th overall.
  • Flex Fluid Lines: MVCC placed fifth in the Education Category and 18th overall.
  • Virtual Reality Paint Booth: MVCC placed eighth in the Education Category and 24th overall.
  • External Power Receptacle: MVCC placed fourth in the Education Category and 19th overall.
  • Air Data Testing: MVCC placed 10th in the Education Category and 31st overall.
  • E-Drill Fastener Removal: MVCC placed second in the Education Category and ninth overall.
  • Handheld Bond Meter Test: MVCC placed eighth in the Education Category and 18th overall.
  • Safety Wiring: MVCC placed third in the Education Category and 12th overall.
  • Cable Rigging: MVCC placed fourth in the Education Category and 12th overall.
  • Fuel Tank Entry Precautions: MVCC placed seventh in the Education Category and 22nd overall.
  • Electrical Troubleshooting: MVCC placed sixth in the Education Category and 19th overall.

“This was a very good showing, especially for a one-year program,” said MVCC Aviation Programs Director Walt Constantini. “Most other college teams are able to place at least a few of their team members on the team for two years, and the professional teams have a lot of competition experience.”

MVCC’s Airframe and Powerplant Technician Certificate program is one of only a few one-year programs in the country. Based a short distance from MVCC’s campus in Rome, N.Y., the majority of instruction takes place in the College’s state-of-the-art aviation training center, located at 645 Bomber Drive, along the flight line of Griffiss International Airport. The FAA-authorized program (Certificate #VXYT570K) is structured as a 40-hour-per-week training program that runs in three consecutive semesters. Over the course of 12 months, students receive 1,905 hours of training that prepares them for the examinations required to be issued the FAA Airframe and Powerplant Certificate, while gaining hands-on experience with MVCC’s fleet of operational aircraft. The College also offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Mechanical Technology: Aircraft Maintenance. For more information, visit www.mvcc.edu/aviation.