Port authority works on deal for local aeronautics school

Between 20 and 40 students are expected to participate in the school's first year.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LIBERTY -- An aeronautics school may be coming to the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport to train people to work in aerospace maintenance and support.
On Tuesday, the Western Reserve Port Authority authorized board member John Masternick and the board's attorney, Daniel Keating, to enter into an agreement with the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics for a 10-year lease for use of Hangar 3 at the airport.
Masternick said it is estimated the school will teach 20 to 40 students the first year in the 15,000-square-foot space. He said reaching an agreement with the school would culminate several years' worth of talks with the facility.
The school has facilities at the Allegheny County Airport and is considered one of the biggest and best of its kind in the country, said Steve Bowser, the airport's director of aviation. He said it could be operational in 2006.
"We know that the airframe and power plant market is very strong," Bowser said. "We know there is a shortage out there."
He said the airport's Vienna Township location would be a sort of branch location.
Tuesday's meeting was at the Holiday Inn MetroPlex. Board members are from both Trumbull and Mahoning counties.
Masternick, who said he hopes to have a lease agreement within a couple of weeks, said jobs in the aerospace maintenance field pay well.
What it offers
The school has been in business since 1929, and offers these programs at its Pittsburgh location:
UAviation maintenance technician, which leads to airframe and power plant certification from the Federal Aviation Administration and an associate in specialized technology degree in 21 months. Graduates from this program are hired by major and regional airlines, heavy transport maintenance facilities, engine manufacturers and others, the school's Web site says.
UAviation electronics technician, which leads to Federal Communications Commission licensing and an associate in specialized technology degree in 21 months of full-time schooling. Graduates are hired by major and regional airlines, heavy transport maintenance facilities, large electronics corporations and others, the school says.
UElectronic systems technician, which leads to FCC licensing and an associate in specialized technology degree in 18 months of full-time schooling. Graduates are hired by major electronics firms in the electronics technology field, the school says.
UAviation maintenance technician, which leads to airframe and power plant certification from the FAA and a diploma in 32 months of part-time schooling. Graduates are hired by major and regional airlines, heavy transport maintenance facilities, engine manufacturers and others, the school says.
Also on the agenda
In other action, the port authority:
UEntered into an agreement making Trumbull County commissioners the lead agent in administering the $185,000 federal Economic Development Administration grant for a feasibility study for the proposed Mahoning Valley Motorsports and Exhibition Center.
UAuthorized Bowser to sign for the $40,000 in financial assistance the port authority agreed to give as its share of the racetrack study.
UAuthorized the extension of the lease with Winner Aviation until Dec. 31, 2005, until a long-term lease can be signed with the company, a fixed-base operator at the airport.
*Learned from port authority member Mike Harshman that the Mahoning County commissioners are expected to act soon to fill the two Mahoning County seats on the port authority.
runyan@vindy.com