FAA grants certification to Delaware Tech program

After a rigorous and complex preparation process, representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration paid a visit to Delaware Technical & Community College, Owens Campus, at the end of May to review its airframe maintenance technology program.

The final three-day intense review and examination of the new program resulted in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issuing an air agency certificate, which states the college is in complete compliance with the requirements of the FAA regulations and is empowered to operate an approved aviation maintenance technician school for airframe.

A team of five inspectors spent more than 600 hours during several months and three site visits to ensure the program met the exacting and essential standards of the industry.

The FAA inspectors examined, in detail, the program’s operations manual and lesson plans developed by Delaware Tech, the Aviation Education Center where the program operates, and all related tooling and equipment as well as the aircraft used for maintenance training.
The program is composed of 28 subject areas that encompass all aspects of aircraft maintenance, from structural repair to system maintenance and operations.

The only area this program currently does not address is power plant, which will train students to perform maintenance and repairs of aircraft reciprocal and turbojet engines and qualify students to take their FAA certification test for licensing in power plant.

Each subject area is built around seven critical components necessary to meet the FAA’s demanding requirements: curriculum that includes lesson plans for each day of the two-year program, texts, projects designed to meet the FAA’s training level requirements, student worksheets, tooling and equipment related to subject area, components used for demonstrations and hands-on training, and exams for measuring the outcome of student learning. The FAA scrutinizes all components to ensure compliance.

“The key to the success of the certification was that Delaware Tech had done its homework,” said Joseph A. Kain Sr., aviation safety inspector and manager of the FAA Eastern Region.

“The college’s program was more than an idea; it was already built and in place. It was the smoothest certification I’ve ever done.”

Kain also noted that in the history of the FAA office in Philadelphia, Delaware Tech’s program is the first one to offer a college degree associated with airframe training.

College administrators and the program staff were elated to hear the compliments and receive the certification, which was required before students could begin their hands-on training.

“Words can’t express how extremely proud I am of our team who has helped the college achieve this very rigorous certification,” said college President Dr. Orlando J. George Jr.

“It’s just another example of Delaware Tech’s commitment to our mission of connecting Delawareans with jobs and delivering the solutions needed to build and maintain a vibrant state economy.”

Dr. Ileana M. Smith, vice president and Owens Campus director, acknowledged the dedication and competency of Barry Weiss, airframe maintenance department chairman, and the program staff.

Weiss said the process was accomplished in a little more than 90 days. The normal timeframe for certification can be more than six months.

“Aviation safety is our [FAA] primary concern,” said Kain. “It all begins with the instructors and then well-trained students. It’s persistence that makes the difference in aviation safety.”