Aviation student second in the nation

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Neighbors | Submitted.Garrett Tanner (left) earned the Silver Medal at the SkillsUSA Championships in the Aviation Maintenance Technology competition. He is shown here with his Aviation Maintenance Technology Instructor, Scott Rowe (right).

Garrett Tanner, a senior in the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, earned the Silver Medal at the SkillsUSA Championships in the Aviation Maintenance Technology competition.

Tanner, a resident of Canfield, competed against 13 students from schools across the country in the two-day event. The competition covered a number of aviation skills including safety, weight and balance, electrical, aircraft identification, precision measuring and more.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. This year, an estimated 5,600 students competed at the national event.

When Tanner found out he placed at the championships he said the skills he learned while attending MCCTC were what enabled him to compete at the national level.

“The thing that helped me the most was being able to interpret the technical data and then I could figure it out from there,” he said.

In addition to earning a medal, Tanner also received several sets of tools as part of his award.

Aviation Maintenance Technology Instructor Scott Rowe accompanied Tanner on the trip to Kansas City.

“Garrett shows what can happen when you apply yourself. He has such a strong work ethic and that’s why he makes such a good student and he’ll make a good employee,” Rowe said.

Tanner is currently working on completing the required number of hours to earn his A&P Certificate. Once certified, Tanner plans to pursue a career in general aviation.