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AMT Online Courses Have Landed @ BRCC!
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RCC is home to the nation’s first online Federal Aviation Administration approved Airframe and Powerplant Certificate. The Beta test program began accepting students in October, 2012, and included four classes worth seven credits. “As we face looming shortages of A&P technicians, schools need additional tools to attract and retain students. Distance learning is one of those tools. While there are many areas [of the curriculum] that require practical learning in the classroom and laboratory, there are many content areas where online methods can produce equivalent, and often, improved learning,” explained Raymond Thompson, president of the Aviation Technician Education Council. Graduates of the Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program (both distance and on-site) are eligible to take the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Written, Oral, and Practical exams for a Mechanic’s Certificate with Airframe and Powerplant ratings. Currently, BRCC graduates have a 100% pass rate on the certification exams. Students are selected on a competitive basis, with priority given to qualified applicants who are residents of the BRCC service area, and then to Virginia residents. BRCC’s Aviation Maintenance Technology Distance Education program is fully approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. Distance AMT classes are anticipated to start every two years. Distance students attend summer laboratory classes at the BRCC Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport facility.
Dyen Receives Educator of the Year Award
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red Dyen, assistant professor of Aviation Maintenance Technology, received the 2013 Ivan D. Livi Outstanding Educator of the Year Award from the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC).
“Fred’s recognition by his fellow AMT educators is a testament to the countless hours he has devoted to ensuring our AMT program is the best in the country,” said BRCC President John Downey. Last summer, under Dyen’s leadership, BRCC was the first college to receive FAA approval to implement a pilot program for teaching AMT concepts through distance learning. BRCC established its AMT degree program at the Shenandoah Regional Airport in 2007, and 50 individuals have received degrees or certificates. ATEC was founded in 1961 to further the standing of FAAapproved schools with education and industry, and to promote mutually beneficial relations with all industry and government agencies. The Ivan D. Livi award recognizes outstanding achievement of an aviation maintenance technology instructor.
BRCC Automotive Students “Ace” the ASE Exams
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lue Ridge Community College 2013 graduates of the Automotive Repair and Analysis program achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the Automotive Service Excellence exams. BRCC’s program continued to meet the requirements for Master Automobile Service Technology Accreditation, the highest level of achievement recognized by the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF). The eight 40-question tests cover different ASE content areas.
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