Ronald Donner of AMT magazine with WTA juniors in shop. (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD – Last Wednesday, the juniors in the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at Westfield Technical Academy were invited to the New England Aviation Museum in Windsor Locks to meet with representatives from Bombardier and Ronald Donner of AMT Magazine. Donner is doing research into the mechanic shortage, and is interested in how the industry can support schools and students.
The Bombardier Hartford Service Center is located at Bradley, and has been a great supporter, donating more than $100,000 to Westfield’s AMT program. After meeting the group at the museum, the students were also invited to tour the Bombardier center. Krysten Renihan, AMT aviation coordinator, said Donner was impressed by the students, and wrote a blog about it, called “Inspiring Future Aviators.”
“Yesterday a group of high school students from the Westfield Technical Academy’s aviation maintenance technician program were provided a day of aviation inspiration and I got to be part of it. My first impression of these students was how professional and even grown up they looked in their school uniforms – a refreshing site,” Donner wrote in the blog.
“During lunch I spoke to the students about career opportunities in maintenance, some of my aviation experiences, and a look into the future of what these young soon-to-be-A&Ps may expect as they begin their careers,” Donner continued, adding, “These types of industry and academia partnering programs have become popular and frankly much needed. Lee Boulanger, the general manager of the Bombardier Hartford Service Center, was noticeable proud of the program.”
The next day, Donner, Dominique Cristall and David Huot of Bombardier came to the school for a tour of the program. They recognized the juniors they had met, and asked them to show them what they loved doing in the shop. The group also toured Hangar 2, which will be renovated as classroom space for the program this summer, after receiving approval from the City Council for the last piece of funding on April 1.
(L-R) Aviation Instructor Galen Wilson, Aviation Juniors, Ronald Donner (AMT Editor), David Huot (Bombardier), and Dominique Cristall (Bombardier) at the New England Aviation Museum. (Photo submitted)
The AMT magazine also plans to feature the program in an upcoming issue.
“They are a huge magazine in aviation, which means nationwide recognition,” Renihan said. She said the shortage of aviation mechanics is getting out of control, and companies are already coming to the school, looking to recruit.
It’s great for our students,” Renihan said.
“Thanks to Bombardier, the New England Air Museum, and the AMT Magazine for giving us an opportunity to show off our hardworking and professional Aviation Technology students! The future is bright for our students thanks to industry support and opportunities like this these,” said Galen Wilson, AMT lead aviation instructor.
