BATESVILLE - The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville's Doyle "Rog" Rogers, Jr., Aviation Maintenance Program recognized students during a recent pinning ceremony.
Students receiving silver wings were Jason Waits, power plant certified; Nicholas Jackson, airframe certified; Basil Ray, airframe certified; and Jason Torres, airframe certified.
Students receiving bronze wings (power plant and airframe certifications) were Robert Armstrong, Jeremy Ball, Edward Brown, Joseph Dunkel, Christopher Lindsey, Dino McLaughlin, Creighton Minyard, Ruston Phillips, Amanda Roraff, David Rowlett, Robert Thorne and Jerry Webb.
To obtain the airframe or power plant certifications students have to complete 400 contact hours in general aviation and 750 contact hours each in both airframe and power plant. Students in both areas are required to take a 2 to 3 hour Federal Aviation Administration exam on the computer and take a 10 to12 hour FAA performance exam with an FAA certified examiner. This performance exam is taken in a one-on-one format over a 10 to 12 hour span. The examiner requests the student perform maintenance tasks to evaluate their competency.
Students received the maintenance version of the pilot's wings. In the center of pin are tools used by the maintenance crew. The first pin students receive is silver. After completing the second phase of the program the students receive a bronze pin.
The Doyle "Rog" Rogers, Jr., Aviation Maintenance Program began in August 2007. The program consists of two parts - airframe and powerplant. Federal aviation certification is required before a student can begin work.
