MANASSAS, Va. (Dec. 15, 2023) – Last week, the Manassas campus of Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) hosted Tom Osina, Manassas City Council, Christina Winn, Executive Director of Prince William County Department of Economic Development, Dr. Melissa C. Stange, Professor of Computer Science at Laurel Ridge Community College, and 10 students from Laurel Ridge’s Small Unmanned Aircraft (Drone) program for a tour and hands-on activities. The visit provided an opportunity for the visitors to engage with aircraft, witness air traffic control procedures, and explore the vast career opportunities within the aviation industry.
AIM faculty demonstrated a Learjet engine run-up and a flight simulator experience as the students delved into the fundamentals of Airframe, Powerplant, and Avionics, and the crucial aspects of aircraft maintenance. One of the highlights of the visit was the hands-on experience in the sheet metal shop. Under the guidance of AIM instructors and current AIM students, the visiting team learned about the applications of sheet metal and riveting techniques. Equipped with power tools and table vices, the visitors practiced measuring, cutting, drilling and riveting sheets to create their own sheet metal airplanes. They also crafted sheet metal stands for their planes to rest upon, highlighting their newfound skills.
Campus Executive Director, Syed Kazmi said, “AIM was honored to host the students and community leaders and looks forward to nurturing the next generation of aviation professionals.”
Discussions during the visit shed light on career opportunities, the shortage of technicians (Boeing predicts a need for 125,000 technicians in North America from 2023-2042), and the credentials required to become a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic. AIM’s 14 campuses are focused on providing training and building the pipeline of future aircraft mechanics. During the tour, AIM’s Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) program was highlighted as a pathway for students to acquire the necessary credentials and embark on a successful career in aviation.
