Students learn aircraft mechanics skills

Graduates are working for airlines, airports and corporations around the country.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
CANFIELD -- Walking into the Aviation Maintenance Technology workshop at the Mahoning County Career & amp; Technical Center is like walking into an airport hangar.
There are a pair of Huey helicopters, a twin-engine Cessna 320 airplane, a Boeing twin-engine Nomad airplane and numerous smaller aircraft, not to mention numerous airplane engines and other parts, filling the space.
There's even a 3,500-foot grass landing strip out back that enables the program to bring pilots and their aircraft to the students.
The school maintains more than $1 million worth of aircraft, engines and maintenance equipment obtained through government surplus at minimal cost to the school, said John Zehentbauer, career and technical supervisor and a former instructor in the program.
Expenses
"It's a very expensive program to operate," he said, explaining that the school is able to get federal and state surplus equipment at about 1 percent of the new purchase price, plus shipping.
At one time, the state provided matching funds for equipment purchases, but that source of help no longer exists. The school still has access to federal career and technology money to buy equipment and also gets private donations, Zehentbauer said.
The center's board of education recently approved trading the Boeing Nomad for the Cessna 320 plus a turbine engine and test stand with Seagull Aviation Parts Inc. The Cessna arrived by truck this week, and Seagull will be responsible for removing the Nomad.
The school got the best part of the deal, Zehentbauer said, estimating the Cessna and turbine engine at between $60,000 and $70,000. The Nomad would sell for about $40,000, he said.
The Cessna will make a better training tool, said teacher Scott Rowe. It's much lower to the ground and easier for the students to work on, and the maintenance manual is much easier to follow, he said.
About 600 students have come through the Aviation Maintenance Technology program since the first class graduated in 1974.
How program works
The two-year program for juniors and seniors is licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration and teaches students how to repair and maintain airframes and powerplants.
Students completing the 1,300-hour program can take the FAA exam to become a licensed aircraft maintenance technician, securing either an airframe or powerplant mechanics license at no cost, other than a one-time $500 textbook and tools fee.
They spend two and a half hours each morning in the workshop and work on their academic studies in the afternoon.
Students who graduate from the program are encouraged to come back for free as adult students to complete an additional 600 hours of training to earn their other license, either the airframe or powerplant license, depending upon which they secured while still a student, Zehentbauer said.
Most choose to do that, he said, noting that the same post graduate course would cost between $15,000 and $20,000 at a private institution.
Success story
Mike Stanko, now owner of Gemco Aviation and the Youngstown Elser-Metro Airport, was in the first graduating class and said the training he received "absolutely" prepared him for his career.
He said he was considering going to a Pittsburgh aeronautical school for training but found that it would have cost him nearly $10,000. He learned that the center was opening an Aviation Maintenance Technology program and decided to go there for free, a decision he's never regretted.
Stanko doesn't hesitate to hire students coming out of the school.
"I've probably had 25 or 30 people work for me over the years," he said, adding that four are working for him right now.
"We've been very pleased. It's been a nice, long-term relationship with the school. I've been very, very satisfied with everyone who has come out of the school," he said.
"We haven't had a problem with placement," Zehentbauer said. In fact, the program could use more students, he said.
Need for mechanics
It can handle up to 50 at a time but generally runs about 20 to 25. Right now, there are only 15 taking the course, he said.
There is a continued need for aircraft mechanics despite the downsizing of airlines, Zehentbauer said. Program graduates work for USAIR, Continental and United as well as local and regional airports and across the country.
This is one of only four high school-level programs in the state -- none of the other three are in this area -- that offers certification, and the school has an open enrollment policy that means anyone in the state can choose to attend.
The school also has agreements with certain aerospace universities that give graduates college credit for their high school work, he said.
The school will participate in the Aviation Education Day program Saturday at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, and interested sophomores and juniors can learn more about the program there or by calling the school at (330) 729-4000, Zehentbauer said.
Those planning to visit the airport that day are asked to notify Chuck Johnson, the port authority's air services development manager, at (330) 539-4233.
gwin@vindy.com