MVCC students have strong showing at national aviation maintenance competition

Aviation Maintenance students work on a project at AMC

Mohawk Valley Community College aviation maintenance students traveled to Chicago April 9-11, 2024, for the Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC), an opportunity for current and future aviation maintenance professionals to showcase their skills and see how they stack up against their peers. The competition is held in conjunction with Aviation Week’s annual MRO Americas, the world’s largest gathering of the aviation maintenance community.

Aviation Maintenance students behind sculpture of large red letters MROAM

The members of MVCC’s team — pictured above, from left: Owen Castleberry of Rochester, N.Y.; Alex Regna of Hamlin, N.Y.; Gary Higginbotham of East Granby, Conn.; Connor Smith of North Syracuse, N.Y.; and Joseph Sherwood of Newark Valley, N.Y. — are all students on track to complete the Airframe and Powerplant Technician Certificate program in August. The team was sponsored by Griffiss International Airport, JETNET LLC, A&P Master Images, Bombardier Aerospace, CommuteAir, Piedmont Airlines, and Utica Coffee.

During the competition, five-member teams compete in one of six categories: commercial aviation, general aviation, space, education, military, and repair and manufacturing. In total, there were 90 teams — including professional and college teams — competing in 27 maintenance skill events. MVCC’s team finished 27th overall and eighth out of 36 college teams. They also placed in the top 10 in 14 different events. Here are their top events:

  • Wire Troubleshooting (Alaska Airlines): MVCC placed first in the Education Category and third overall. Owen Castleberry also won an individual award for this project.
  • D-Nose Leading Edge Sealing (Gore): MVCC placed second in the Education Category and 15th overall.
  • Helicopter Main Rotor Track & Balance Adjustment (U.S. Army): MVCC placed third in the Education Category and 16th overall.
  • Render Safe, Emergency Slide replacement (United Airlines): MVCC placed third in the Education Category and eighth overall.
  • Click-Loc Challenge Back Off (Moeller Aerospace): MVCC placed fourth in the Education Category and 25th overall.
  • E-Drill Fastener Removal (Perfect Point): MVCC placed sixth in the Education Category and 21st overall.
  • Airframe Damage Inspection (8Tree & Alaska Airlines): MVCC placed sixth in the Education Category and 24th overall.
  • Aircraft Tire Inspection (Michelin Tires): MVCC placed seventh in the Education Category and 26th overall.
  • Fault Test (Barfield): MVCC placed seventh in the Education Category and 20th overall.
  • Flex Fluid Lines (U.S. Air Force): MVCC placed seventh in the Education Category and 22nd overall.
  • Human Factors Exam (Aviation Supplies & Academics): MVCC placed eighth in the Education Category and 11th overall.
  • Antenna Testing (Barfield): MVCC placed eighth in the Education Category and 25th overall.
  • Engine Fan Blade Removal (StandardAero): MVCC placed ninth in the Education Category and 23rd overall.
  • Cargo Floor Lock (FedEx Express): MVCC placed 10th in the Education Category and 28th overall.

About MVCC's aviation maintenance programs

MVCC’s Airframe and Powerplant Technician Certificate program is one of only a few one-year programs in the country. Based a short distance from MVCC’s campus in Rome, N.Y., most of the instruction takes place in the College’s state-of-the-art aviation training center, located at 645 Bomber Drive, along the flight line of Griffiss International Airport. The FAA-authorized program (Certificate #VXYT570K) is structured as a 40-hour-per-week training program that runs in three consecutive semesters. Over the course of 12 months, students receive 1,905 hours of training that prepares them for the examinations required to be issued the FAA Airframe and Powerplant Certificate, while gaining hands-on experience with MVCC’s fleet of operational aircraft. The College also offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Mechanical Technology: Aircraft Maintenance. For more information, visit mvcc.edu/aviation.