The Airframe and Powerplant Technician certificate program is a new program offered by the Institute for Aviation Maintenance Studies. The Institute operates under Parks College of Engineering and Aviation Department of Aerospace Technology.

The program holds all of its classroom and lab activities in Earhart Hall. In preparation for the program, more classrooms were added and the labs were updated.

The Institute provides the training necessary to complete the Federal Aviation Administration requirements for an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate. Students enrolled in the program are provided with the instructions and practical skills needed for a career in aircraft maintenance.

According to Alan Stolzer, associate dean for Aviation, the Institute was created so that Parks College could compete with other organizations. The previous training took too long and was expensive.

The program is completed in 13 months. It costs approximately $17,000, not including necessary books or tools.

Students completing the program have the option to go straight into the industry as a professional or enroll into an academic degree program at Parks. Since there is a demand in the Aviation/Aerospace Maintenance industry, the Institute hopes to encourage individuals to enter the profession.

The Institute’s intentions are to create other types of competitive programs such as an Avionics Technology (repair communication/navigational equipment) certificate.

“The Institute is successful, and we are looking forward to recruiting for next year’s class,” Stolzer said.