Aviation Technical Operations
Â鶹´«Ã½'s aviation maintenance technology program will prepare you for a variety of positions in the field of aircraft maintenance. Upon completing the requirements for this major, you will be prepared to take the Federal Aviation Administration Airframe and Powerplant written and practical exam. Not only do our graduates become qualified aviation mechanics and technicians, they also acquire the management skills to ascend the corporate ladder. It is not uncommon for our graduates to become project managers, leaders and department directors.
Students enrolled in the aviation maintenance technology program have a passion for aircraft and developing an understanding of how they operate. From day one, you will have the opportunity to engage aircraft. This hands-on curriculum provides the Â鶹´«Ã½ to work on WMU’s dedicated aviation maintenance fleet, which includes a fully functioning Boeing 727 donated by the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals and FedEx.
As an aviation maintenance technology Â鶹´«Ã½ at WMU, you will have endless experiential learning Â鶹´«Ã½ through related internships, Â鶹´«Ã½ organizations, and competitions. Companies like Duncan Aviation offer scheduled internship positions dedicated to WMU Â鶹´«Ã½s. Student organizations like the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association and the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance will allow you to network with others in your field, as well as participate in aviation-related events, such as seminars and career explorations. As a member of SkillsUSA, an organization committed to re-establishing America as a skilled workforce leader, you will be eligible to compete in regional and national competitions to demonstrate proficiency and mastery of aviation maintenance practices.
Recent WMU graduates with degrees in aviation technical operations are working as:
- Aircraft maintenance and repair
- Aircraft maintenance engineering
- Aircraft systems reliability and maintainability
- Engineering and maintenance liaison
- Aviation service writer
- Flight test engineering
- Licensing requirements
- Maintenance logistics
- Performance testing
- Product technical support
- Repair facility management
Among the companies they work for are:
- Duncan Aviation
- WACO Aircraft Corporation
- Applied Composites Engineering
- Delta Air Lines
- Everts Air Cargo
- Kucera International
- ExpressJet Airlines
- WMU College of Aviation, located at the W.K. Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek, Mich.
- Some classes will also be taken at WMU's main Kalamazoo location.