Mid-South Community College in West Memphis, Arkansas, with funding provided through a $3.4 million U.S. Department of Labor grant, is offering a week-long aviation Inspection Authorization (IA) test preparation course March 19-23.
The grant, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will provide scholarships to cover the cost of tuition ($800) for up to 60 certified Airframe and Powerplant technicians who meet Federal Aviation Administration qualifications and prerequisites for the course. Attendees are responsible for transportation, meal, and lodging expenses.
Participants must have a current mechanic certificate with both Airframe and Powerplant rating, each of which has been in effect a minimum of three years. They will need verification of eligibility (FAA Form 8610-1) from their local FAA Flight Standards District Office to be eligible for the scholarship.
“The aviation industry has a compelling interest in maintaining the highest level of knowledge and expertise. This course, with the fully paid tuition scholarship, is a great opportunity for A&P mechanics to upgrade their skills and advance in their careers,” said Dr. Kyle Wagner, Vice President for Workforce Technology. “People from all over the United States will come here to take the class.”
The course will expose students to the basic materials, terminology, and practices in use throughout the aviation industry. Topics will include the relevance of manuals, catalogs, manufacturers’ service materials, and federal publications; approval of major repairs and alteration; annual and progressive inspections; maintenance records, 14 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations), FAA Order 8130.21, and advisory circulars.
“FAA training focuses on certification and a renewal of knowledge and skills,” said Anita Brackin, MSCC Director of Business and Industry Services. “People who work in this profession are constantly upgrading what they know and do.”
Students who successfully complete the training at MSCC will have the opportunity to take the FAA Inspection Authorization exam in their home states. Trainees will take a practice exam, similar in scope to the FAA Written Test for Inspection Authorization, and those who pass will be recommended to take the official exam.
The Inspection Authorization class is the first in a series of training courses offered at MSCC.
“We’re trying to focus on the 3- to 5-year mechanic who has worked in the field and wants to upgrade and earn a job promotion,” Wagner said.
Future courses may include Advanced Composites Fabrication and Repair, Composite Structural Design, Non-Destructive Testing Techniques (Liquid Penetrant Level 1, Ultrasonics Level 1, and Mag Particle Level 1) and additional aviation and industrial skill offerings.
For more information on aviation-related training, contact Anita Brackin, Director of Business and Industry Services, at (870) 733-6012 or [email protected].
MSCC received an overall $3,391,053 grant to establish the FAA-approved aviation technology program in West Memphis. Key industry partners in the program include Dassault Falcon Jet, FedEx Express, and Aviation Repair Technologies.
MSCC used much its funding to develop an integrated, FAA-certified Part 147 training program for airframe and powerplant technicians. Emphasizing internships and on-the-job training, the MSCC program gives students the skills and experience needed to meet the demands of the aviation maintenance industry.
