TSTC teaches aviation maintenance students skills needed for employment

(ABILENE, Texas) – Students do not need to have any mechanical experience to start Texas State Technical College’s Aircraft Airframe Technology or Aircraft Powerplant Technology programs.

“We tell people that you do not have to have a mechanical background to be successful,” instructor Josh Parker said. “All of our students start out in the same place and work to get to the same point.”

That point, according to Parker, is to be successful in the workforce. But he also has one additional goal for students.

“We are going to get them to the point that they have the knowledge to pass the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) exam,” he said.

Parker said a majority of graduates find entry-level positions with competitive pay.

“For the past six years, we have been able to put our graduates in the workforce,” he added.

In Abilene, some TSTC graduates have been hired by Eagle Aviation Services, which is on the grounds of the Abilene Regional Airport. Having the company nearby helps, Parker said.

“We do not have a lot of options in West Texas. Having Eagle Aviation right here helps us, especially since they are a maintenance-based company,” he said.

Students in the Aircraft Powerplant Technology program will learn to inspect, maintain and overhaul engine systems. Most of the learning, according to Parker, is hands-on.

“Students learn more when they get in there and do the work,” he said.

The aviation programs are also available at the Harlingen and Waco campuses. They offer both Associate of Applied Science degrees and certificates of completion.

Registration for the fall semester is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.