Embry-Riddle, Honda Aircraft, and SSPC Create New Industry Certification for Aircraft Coatings Quality

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, The Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) and Honda Aircraft have partnered to create what they said is the first industry certification for Aerospace Coatings Applicators professionals by conferring this new credential upon four Honda Aircraft employees, who are the first people to complete the certification program.

According to a release, SSPC and Embry-Riddle conducted the first professional training and certification of individuals involved in this aerospace coatings application. Jason O'Neal, Michael Garza, Eliot Ewald, and Jeffrey Varner -- all from Honda Aircraft Company -- are the first four recipients of the new certification, which they completed in late August 2011.

The collaboration between Embry-Riddle, SSPC and Honda Aircraft was driven by a common goal to lead the industry toward higher paint quality by creating a standard for quality in the preparation of an aircraft's surface and in the training of professionals to consistently achieve that standard.

The three organizations that worked together to create the standards for the credential and the curriculum for the training program, marked the first graduation with a brief ceremony at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention, the world's largest business aviation annual event, held this year in Las Vegas.

Embry-Riddle said it will offer fully online training to lead to the new Aerospace Coatings Applicators certification program beginning in January 2012.

More Information:

http://www.erau.edu/professionaleducation

((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected]))