American Airlines Helps Maintenance Techs with Hands-On Training

American Airlines has donated a Pratt & Whitney JT8D engine to the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) during the Aviation Technician Education Council annual conference in Chicago, Illinois. The engine will be used by students for hands-on training at the school’s Chicago campus pursuing their aviation maintenance technician (AMT) certification.

“As a former AMT, I know first-hand how important it is to have access to equipment like this as you’re learning new skills,” said Evie Garces, American’s Vice President of Line Maintenance. “The MD-80 powered American’s future when it took its first revenue flight in 1983, and this engine will help power students’ futures as they work toward their certifications and career aspirations for years to come.”

The engine donation is part of the airline’s ongoing partnership with AIM that provides students with ongoing engagement with American’s team of aviation maintenance professionals and access to American’s maintenance facilities, as well as guarantees top candidates from AIM’s Chicago campus interviews with American.

“Hands-on training on a range of airframes and powerplants is essential for the AIM graduate to become prepared to join the workforce after graduation,” said Dr. Joel English, Executive Vice President of AIM. “American sees the value of investing in our diverse student population, and this donation will help us prepare our current students to become tomorrow’s American Airlines technicians.”

Aviation maintenance professionals from American’s Chicago Technical Operations team are also mentoring a five-student team for the upcoming Aerospace Maintenance Competition in Atlanta, Georgia, from April 18–20. The competition, held in conjunction with Aviation Week’s MRO Americas, brings together teams from schools, airlines, military, general aviation, repair and maintenance organizations and space to compete against each other in real-life maintenance scenarios.