Latest news with #AviationMaintenance
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Wire
From Hollywood to the Hangar: Spartan Acquires Jet Engine for Aviation Maintenance Training
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology 's Los Angeles area campus proudly received a delivery of a very special piece of aviation equipment —a Westinghouse J34 turbojet engine with an incredible backstory. More than a movie prop of the silver screen, this engine now serves a new purpose—as hands-on training equipment for the next generation of aviation maintenance technicians at Spartan College. Spartan acquired the engine from Steve Bolan, a professional stuntman and aviation coordinator known for flying Japanese Zeros in Empire of the Sun. Beyond the cockpit, Bolan repurposed the engine for use in creating special effects for films you may know. The Westinghouse J34 continues to be an industry relevant training tool that Spartan College students study and disassemble as part of their hands-on training projects. Now, with this recent acquisition, they're enhancing that experience by integrating the engine into a startup sequence training project. Students will train, under the supervision of an instructor, to safely execute startup procedures in a controlled environment. What makes this particular J34 remarkable is its Hollywood past. Spartan acquired the engine from Steve Bolan, a professional stuntman and aviation coordinator known for flying Japanese Zeros in Empire of the Sun. Beyond the cockpit, Bolan repurposed the engine for use in creating special effects in some of Hollywood's most iconic films. The J34 was used to generate fog and wind effects in Forrest Gump, The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions, The Aviator, Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean, and many more. You can explore Steve Bolan's full filmography on IMDb. This acquisition underscores Spartan's commitment to providing students with hands-on training opportunities. Their upcoming revamp of engine startup sequence training will incorporate the engine, as it is still used today in commercial and private aviation (Part 91 and Part 135). Whether it's in the classroom, on the ramp, or in a hangar, Spartan students have the opportunity to learn with purpose—and now, with a bit of movie magic! Interested in training to work with engines like this one? Learn more about Spartan's Aviation Maintenance Technology program and how Spartan College helps prepare students for entry-level aviation maintenance roles. Spartan's Aviation Maintenance Technology Program Details: Airframe & Powerplant (Diploma) · 18 Months Associate of Occupational Studies Aviation Maintenance Technology (Degree) · 22 months The Airframe & Powerplant and Aviation Maintenance Technology programs are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and meet the requirements established in Title 14, Part 147. The programs are designed to teach students entry-level technical skills in airframe and powerplant. Successful completion qualifies graduates to take the written, oral and practical tests with the Federal Aviation Administration for the Mechanic's Certificate with both Airframe and Powerplant Ratings. Third-party certifications are not guaranteed. The skills and information taught are not only relevant in the aviation industry but may be applicable to other maintenance industries. The general education courses in the associate degree program provide students with foundational information of diverse subject matter, fostering critical thinking and communication skills. During the program, Spartan students train hands-on in repairing and assembling aircraft turbines, sheet metal fabrication and repair, painting and finishing, as well as training in aviation science and theories, electrical and fire protection systems, warning systems, pressurization systems, and ignition and electrical systems. For more information about graduation rates, certification disclosure, and other important information, visit About Spartan College Established in 1928, Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology is a system of three schools with four locations and has trained over 100,000 pilots and technicians. Campuses are located in the following areas: Tulsa, OK; Los Angeles, CA; Inland Empire, CA; and Denver, CO. Spartan students have come from across the United States and over 40 countries. To learn more and for consumer information, location of training, school licensing and accreditation visit Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by campus and are subject to change. Third-party certifications and employment opportunities are not guaranteed. Financing options are available for those who apply and qualify. Administrative office: Spartan Education Group, LLC, 1 N. Franklin St., Suite 2125, Chicago, IL 60606
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
WTA Aviation Class of 2025 called ‘future of aviation'
WESTFIELD — After welcoming everyone to the Aviation Maintenance Technology program graduation for the Class of 2025, department head Galen Wilson acknowledged fellow Aviation instructors Scott Hepburn, Christopher Chaves and Timothy Pfau and Aviation Advisory Board chair Kenneth Dromgold. 'Another great year, another great class. These students will have an impact on the aviation industry.' Wilson said the students had completed 1250 hours of training, tests, evaluations, projects, presentations and readings to make it through the only FAA-certified program in New England. 'It takes a special student to complete it. They have endured a lot. Bottom line, we did it!' Mayor Michael McCabe came to the podium, saying it was intimidating to speak with an F15 right in front of him. Hangar 2 at Westfield Barnes Airport had been mostly cleared of aircraft for the ceremony that were now parked on the landing strip along with a visiting F15 from the Air National Guard 104th. McCabe remarked on the 50% female composition of the Aviation Class of 2025 as he welcomed family and friends, representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration, Gulfstream, and Westfield State University who he said were checking out the program. He then presented certificates from the City of Westfield to each member of the Class of 2025. 'This is one of my favorite days of the year. Being able to celebrate our kids as they move into the future is a blast,' McCabe said. Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski told the graduates, 'Aviation needs people like you,' He said the field requires precision, accountability and an unwavering commitment to safety, skills which he called impressive and essential. 'Thank you for choosing this path. Your future is not only bright, it's airborne.' 'I feel so indebted to and proud of this program,' said keynote speaker Senator John Velis, who is co-chair of the state Aviation Caucus. He said it coincides with his time in office, and he remembers walking from the hangar to Westfield Technical Academy with a plane at 3 a.m. in 2016 for the grand opening of the program. Velis said in the beginning, people were amazed that the program was happening in Massachusetts. 'Now, when we have this conversation, they say 'we know all about it.' We are proud — you should be proud, and I hope you are.' Velis' speech then paused for an emergency response to a medical emergency in the hangar that had a successful outcome. When he resumed, his message to the graduates shifted. 'Far more important than what we're doing today is your well-being,' Velis told the graduates. He said one of the things he knows as chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, is that the numbers are scary on the impact of mental health on young adults, which he said isn't talked about enough. 'If you find yourself at any point in the future or a friend finds themselves struggling, remember these three most important words — 'I need help.' Please get it. You're going to find in the not-too-distant future circumstances where you're going to fail at something — not a single person who hasn't. What separates those who push forward and who don't is your response,' he said. 'You make us so proud. Thank you for going down this path. Remember, you've got a lot of people in this room who want to help out,' Velis said. Wilson then introduced the Class of 2025 Distinguished Graduate Mason Jacquier of Southwick. In describing Jacquier he said he was a soccer captain, class treasurer, on the Student Council, in the National Technical Honor Society, 4H Club, Key Club, captain of the Aviation Explorers Post, flying, and 'oh yeah, not bad at motocross either,' in which he said Jacquier has won numerous awards. Jacquier will be attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida to study aerospace engineering. 'It's an honor to speak at our graduation. When we started as freshmen, we were intimidated … We were met with unwavering support, constant encouragement and guidance,' Jacquier said. He said over the four years they developed confidence, patience and pride, and were pushed out of their comfort zone and are on their way to becoming pilots, air traffic controllers and in the Air National Guard. After he spoke, pilot Ray Robidoux of the Westfield Aviation Museum located in Hangar 3 joined Jacquier at the podium to present him with a $2,000 scholarship. 'We present this scholarship as our way of saying thank you. The graduates today are the future of aviation,' Robidoux said. Scott Hepburn, instructor of the Class of 2025, thanked the other instructors for bringing the class over the finish line. He said it was a pleasure to have them for 3.5 years, 1911 hours total. He then awarded certificates to the FAA Program graduates and the non-FAA Aviation Program graduate, telling stories about each one before presenting them. The FAA Program graduates of the Class of 2025 include Savannah Chapman of Granville, who will be entering the Air National Guard 104th; Rielynn Cigal of Westfield, who will be going to Springfield Technical Community College for medical studies, and Hailey Dubiel of Westfield, who will go to CT AeroTech. Hepburn said Dubiel entered WTA 'bound and determined to get into aviation,' adding that she was one of the smartest students to ever come through, having only one test score less than 100 at a 97. Also graduating were Emma Fernandes of Westfield, who will go to Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Jason Harris of Westfield, headed to CT Aero Tech, Mason Jacquier of Southwick, going to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Jason Jones of Westfield, who will be going to STCC. Thomas Knapik of Westfield will be the first graduate of the program to become an Air Traffic Controller through the FAA. In a presentation before the School Committee in November, Knapik said he first thought about becoming a pilot, but discovered through the program 'the infinite possibilities in aviation.' Hepburn said about Olivia Pease of Westhampton that she came in wanting to be a private pilot by graduation, and became one. She will be entering STCC in the fall, and has a goal of becoming a commercial pilot. Joshua Masse of Westfield will be going to work at Bombardier in Windsor Locks and Mark Poznyur and Maya Reyes will join Gulfstream at Westfield Barnes. Non-FAA Aviation Program graduate Andrew Reed of Southwick will be going to Atlantic Aviation as a line technician. Hepburn said you could ask him whatever you wanted to know about airplanes. 'He knew so much about our planes, and is an incredible photographer,' he said about Reed, whose extended family in Southwick and South Carolina came to the graduation to support him. 'It's time to push this program bigger,' Hepburn said. He said they can only accept 14 students per year out of the 80 to 100 that want aviation. 'I'd like to double this program in the next couple of years — some way, somehow.' Wilson also awarded numbers 21 and 22 of the 25 coins made to distinguish the first 25 students from the program to complete their FAA certification. Wilson, a 30-year veteran of the US Air Force called it a USAF tradition. 'It means that you are a member of an elite group of people.' Coin number 21 was presented to Brandon Laviolette and number 22 to Zachary Fedora. Read the original article on MassLive.
