The Burlington Aviation Technical Training Center

There will soon be a new home for the Burlington Aviation Technology Program: an internationally recognized and FAA certified aviation maintenance training program that provides full airframe and powerplant, and avionics certification. The Aviation Technical Training Center will help fill critical shortages in technicians trained in the full suite of airframe skills. This state-of-the-art facility will greatly expand the program to accommodate up to 100 students.

A great program that needs room to grow:

• The Aviation Technology Program is now housed in three different locations, including a Burlington High School, and two separate buildings at Burlington International Airport.
• Under facility limitations imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the program can only graduate 12 students each semester. The new facility will provide enough instructional space for 100 graduates.
• There are 23 new students entering the program in the Fall of 2008, and demand is growing.
• Students ranging from high school through college-age, plus military personnel, and mid-career professionals will all benefit from the stringent and wide-ranging offerings.
• There is a critical need in private industry and the military for trained aviation technicians, and the skills learned in the Aviation Technical Program are highly transferable to other industries, including wind power development, as well as the military.

Areas Trained in the Aviation Technology Program:

Advanced Math, Physics, Alternating and Direct Electricity, Batteries, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Robotics, Chemistry, Blueprints and Drawings, Power Transmission Systems, Composites, Painting

Flight Control Systems, Multiple Wheel Brake Systems, Turbine Engines, Piston Engines (including diesels), Fuel Management Systems, Safety, Metallurgy, Non-Destructive Testing, Digital and Analog Systems, Sheet Metal, Dope and Fabric, Wood Working

A Variety of Employment Options for Graduates:

With an FAA Airframe and Powerplant Certificate, graduates can work for a variety of employers, such as:

• Airlines (Major, National, Regional, and Scheduled Airlines)
• Repair Stations
• Helicopter Operators
• Military Aviation
• Government Agencies (i.e. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA))
• Corporate and Charter Operators
• Aircraft manufacturers, service and maintenance companies
• Cargo Companies
• Flight Schools
• Transportation Companies (Railroad)
• Large Businesses with their own fleets of planes

Students train in all aspects of aviation technology, and end up working on the full array of aircraft. Careers in commercial, military, government, and private aviation are all possible.

Meeting a Critical Need:

• Nationwide, over 155,000 people are employed as Aviation Technicians.
• According to the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) and the National Air Transportation Association, the industry requires 10,000 - 12,000 additional specialists every year to replace retirees and fill new positions.
• In 2006, only 7,400 new technicians were certified, a 20-percent (20%) decrease from 1988.
• In order to keep their jets flying, the airlines need roughly two technicians for every pilot.  

Program Assets:   

• Three full-time staff are in place including Director and program founder, Rick Sylvester.
• The Aviation Technology Program owns the vast majority of training elements, tools, and supplies needed to operate a first-class program, including donated airplanes, helicopters, engines, and other airframe elements.
• The value of existing training supplies in hand is in excess of $500,000, the value of the Program's aircraft is far greater.
• Donated aircraft are a key component of the Program's success, and critical to the high quality of training.

A Very Tough Ciriculum: Required Training:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Minimum Requirements:

• 400 Hours General
• 750 Hours Powerplant
• Pass all testing with 70 or greater. FAA testing is 70 or greater passing grade.  

Burlington Technical Center Requirements:

• 492 Hours General
• 750 Hours Powerplant
• 750 Hours Airframe
• Pass all tests with 85 or greater.  

Testing Requirements for Licensure:

• 60 question General written test.
• 100 question Airframe written test
• Oral and practical testing in all three areas. (This test usually takes 10 to 16 hours to finish).

The Burlington Aviation Technical Training Program has all the personnel and areas to perform this testing.

A New Facet to the Program: Aircraft Electronics Technician Certification (AET):

• AET is a new certification established by the National Center for Aircraft training in 2008. It is now being taught in the General portion of the Program.

Areas required to be trained:

• Basic terminology, Basic circuits, Basic circuit calculations, Safety practices, resistors, inductors, capacitors, transformers, Analog circuits, devices and switches, Power supply circuits, frequency sensitive filters, Wave generation circuits, limiter circuits, Digital numbering system, Digital logic functions, hazards and safety practices, hazardous material handling, technical publications, use of common hand tools, handling electrostatic sensitive devices, corrosion control, Use safety devices, aircraft wiring, perform wire maintenance, use of test equipment/special tools, Aviation terms, troubleshooting, flight controls and theory of flight.
• Students must pass test with 70 or above.   

To learn more, please contact Nick Warner, Special Projects Manager, Community & Economic Development Office (CEDO), (802) 865-7173, nwarner@ci.burlington.vt.us.