Savannah Tech Takes Flight on New Aviation Training Center

#1246 | January 25, 2012

SAVANNAH – Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson, Savannah Technical College’s President Dr. Kathy Love and honored guests celebrated the groundbreaking of STC’s new Aviation Training Center at the Crossroads Campus today.

     “The Technical College System of Georgia is committed to ensuring that the state’s aviation industries, including corporate leaders like Gulfstream, have access to a steady pipeline of highly-trained technicians with the specialized skills that are required in the fields of aircraft assembly and maintenance,” said TCSG Commissioner Jackson. “Savannah Tech’s new Aviation Training Center is part of that commitment, and soon it will be home to state-of-the-art training that will lead students on pathways to great jobs and successful careers in this all-important industry.”

      The 29,152-square-foot building at STC’s Crossroads Campus will have a 5,000 square foot hangar plus labs and classrooms. The Aviation Training Center is projected to open in 2013 and will meet the requirements of the FAA Part 147, which govern aviation mechanic schools. The building was designed by James W. Buckley and Associates, Inc. and is being built by Pope Construction.

     “I am thrilled that Savannah Technical College will be able to strengthen our commitment to our aerospace industry partners by providing expanded aviation technology programs in a new state-of-the-art aerospace training center,” said President Love. “As a leader in hands-on training for Coastal Georgia, it is our responsibility to teach students specialized skills that will benefit our local employers.”

     Savannah Tech’s Aircraft Technology Department offers several programs of study that prepare students for careers in aircraft structures manufacture and repair, luxury craft cabinetmaking, and aircraft electrical equipment repair andinstallation.

     “General aviation contributes more than $150 billion to the U.S. economy and employs more than one million people,” said Ira Berman, senior vice president, administration and general counsel, Gulfstream Aerospace. “This new Aviation Training Center, which strengthens an already longstanding and fruitful relationship between our organizations, will further ensure that Gulfstream has a steady pool of highly qualified and motivated applicants.”

     The Aviation Training Center will feature four training labs. In the Powerplant Lab, students will learn how to tear down and rebuild reciprocating and turbine engines. The Airframe lab will include all aspects of airframe composition from landing gear to hydraulic/pneumatic systems, to fuel and electrical systems, as well as flight controls, rigging and non-destructive testing. The Aircraft Structural lab will work with sheet metal and cabinet making. There will also be a Composite Lab that will have an autoclave, which is a big oven that is used to cure composites. One of the classrooms will be used as an electronics and avionics training lab for the electrical technology students. The hangar features a hoist and will have abundant natural light with the windows near the ceiling. Five additional classrooms, office space and a workroom are also included in the building’s design.

     Aircraft structural technicians build new equipment and conduct repairs. Manufacturing work is based on customer orders in a team assembly environment and is generally hourly with growth to become a manager. Repair work is needed for all types of aircraft (old and new) and is dependent on customers needing repairs and is paid hourly on an as-needed basis.

     Luxury craft cabinetmakers and aircraft electrical assembly techs typically work in manufacturing plants and service centers. Cabinetmakers install and repair various types of cabinets, counter-tops and furniture in new and owned aircraft. Aircraft electrical assembly techs install electronics equipment and wiring into new aircraft. Both of these sets of skills may also be applied to build or maintain luxury yachts.

     Government contracts are being negotiated with aerospace suppliers, which may potentially increase employment demand by several hundred to thousands of individuals in the next few years.

     Local employers require these skills to grow their business and need qualified entry level employees in the areas of luxury craft cabinetmaking and electronics and avionics systems to meet their business demands.

For More Information Contact:
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu