When I was going to Solano I was just doing my GE and then I was like, okay
I see there's aeronautics and for A&P mechanics. I was like, well,
I like planes so I just might as well try this out too.
So then ever since I've been into it, and I absolutely love it!
This program offers a certificate for the students that allows them to take the FAA test to qualify for their airframe and powerplant license.
It's a three year program and it follows the FAR requirements of Part 147. With that license
then the students can be legally allowed to work on aircraft and do aircraft return-to-service inspections and maintenance.
The equipment that we have here is very representative
of what most of the skills that they would be required to have in the field.
[Student running checklist] Firewall fuel valve...open. Battery...on. Master switch...on.
Turn the fuel boost pump on
[Engine prop starting up]
Put the starter in.
Here we go. Keep going.
We'll get to 50 percent and then we're running.
This is one of our turbine trainers, it's basically an engine out of a retired King Air.
We use it to do real-world demonstrations on not only how to run the engine, but also how to maintain it.
We take parts of the engine off. We'll put it back on and then test it.
We have reciprocating engines and turbine engines. We have working models of each.
This year the power plant people are actually able to take reciprocating engines
that were running and disassemble them, put them back together again, and then demonstrate that the engines would continue to run.
We also have lots of donated parts, some of them functioning, some of them not functioning.
They have to know how systems work so that they can notice when they're not working correctly, know what
part of the system is faulty, and therefore make the correct repair.
The problem is when we turn the fault switch on, it actually opens this wire
Let's go and find out if we have a problem between in the actual wire. So now take your ground to there.
When I came into this program I had no education on basic tools.
Because of how well they introduce you to all these new different items, and how we have hands-on,
I was able to understand it completely. And if I didn't understand it, the teachers took the time
to go over it with me again and again and again.
We have students at all levels of aviation, from general aviation,
up through corporate aviation, even into the airlines.
Because we teach 45 subject areas
they're able to get jobs just about anywhere in the mechanical maintenance field.
My ultimate goal was actually to be a helicopter pilot in the army.
I want to take this program in order to better understand aviation,
and so the way that the aircraft works and how the engine works. But if that decision
doesn't happen in the future, I would still have a job opportunity to work on the aircrafts too.
We have many employers in the area:
everything from CalFire, to Delta Airlines, to local fixed-based operators that
are employing our students. We have a gal that ultimately left here with her certificate,
got her license and is now actually working with SpaceX in the aerospace industry
and just absolutely thrilled with the trajectory of her career.
I was able to learn all the main tools that we need to be a mechanic.
I was able to learn basic electricity, which I thought I was never smart enough to be able to apply that type of knowledge.
I just want to have as much knowledge as I can. I believe this program is the best way to get it
and to put your foot in the door of aviation.
