Students in Wayne Community College’s Aviation Systems Technology program were awarded certificates at a special presentation on Dec. 13.
Some students received Airframe and/or Powerplant Certificates of Completion, allowing them to take the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) general and airframe and/or powerplant mechanic written exams.
“Once they pass both of those tests, they can call a designated mechanic examiner and take the oral and practical tests,” said WCC Aviation Systems Technology Instructor Mike Crumpler. “If they successfully pass that experience, they will be issued a temporary Airframe or Powerplant Mechanic certificate so that they may exercise their new privileges until their permanent certificates arrive.”
Most of the students received General Certificates of Completion, which will allow them to take the FAA’s general written exam before they complete further rating certifications.
The 16 students and their certifications, listed by hometown, are:
Clayton
Jeffrey Baginski – General, Airframe, and Powerplant
Hunter Rogowski – General, Airframe, and Powerplant
Fuquay-Varina
Wade Parker – General
Goldsboro
Sean Logan – General
Matthew Raper – General
Kinston
Tyler Belcastro – Powerplant
Knightdale
Gabriel Modlin – General
La Grange
Christopher Moore – General
Princeton
Paul Napolitano – General
Raleigh
Gabriel Norris – General
Reidsville
Nicholas Hayes – Powerplant
Wade
Roman Reconnu – General
Jacob Sheets – General
Wilmington
Keonte Sidbury – General
Wilson
Colin Best – General
Youngsville
Jason McCardle – General
Colin Best says he has always had “a mechanical mind” and wanted to apply that in the field of aircraft mechanics. “I decided to try this program out and see how I liked it, and I instantly fell in love with the community and the entire industry,” he said. “This is the most fun I’ve ever had at school.”
Best is excited to have completed this step and received his general certification. “Everything they teach you here is directly applicable to what you’re doing in the field, which is so awesome,” he shared. “I’m one step closer to being an A & P [airframe and powerplant mechanic].”
Gabriel Modlin is also fascinated by what he’s learning in the program. “I started this program because I thought airplanes were cool and wanted to see the ins and outs of how they work,” he said.
“It feels great to have received the general certificate,” Modlin said. “It’s a big weight off my shoulders. Now I can move on to the other certifications.” He also plans on getting his pilot’s license after completing the course.
WCC’s Aviation Systems Technology program offers an Aviation Systems Technology Degree, Aviation Systems Technology Airframe Diploma, and Aviation Systems Technology Powerplant Diploma.
For students interested in getting a four-year degree, WCC’s associate in applied science degree in Aviation Systems Technology qualifies for East Carolina University’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology Transfer Program.
To learn more about the program, contact Crumpler at 919-739-6824 or smcrumpler@waynecc.edu, or Kenneth Creech at 919-739-6823 or kbcreech@waynecc.edu.
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 240 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.