Cape Cod Community College in Barnstable, Massachusetts is well on the way to developing an Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Program, with a target date for the first class of September 2015.
“We are tremendously excited to have great federal, state and industry support for the program,” said Mike Wahlers, the AMT program Coordinator. Wahlers, a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and long-time Aircraft Technician, has been working to establish the AMT program for the past year.
The program will be housed in hangars at the Barnstable Municipal Airport, near Hyannis, Massachusetts. The schools’ curriculum has been written and is under review by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. Wahlers is also working with the FAA on approval of the Part 147 certificate.
The state of Massachusetts has approved $1.95 million to cover start up costs at the school. In addition, the U.S. Department of Labor recently approved a $2.4 million grant to assist the program.
“What we need now is donations from manufacturers, airlines and the rest of the aviation industry,” said Dave Bushy, a member of the college’s board of trustees, and a long-time airline professional. “We could use airplanes, airframe sections, engines of all types, training aids or whatever a company could spare,” said Bushy.
Classes of 25 are anticipated at the school, when the doors open. A significant number of aerospace companies in New England and throughout the United States have endorsed the plans for the school and expressed interest in hiring graduates.
