AVIATION TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS RECEIVE ACCOLADES

On October 10, 2006 the NASA Space Grant Consortium of UVM held the annual awards banquet. Of the fifteen award recipients, five were BTC Aviation Technology students. Zackery Williams, Karl Nelson and Martin Seally received $1000 scholarship for their outstanding work. Mr. Sylvester, the Aviation Technology instructor, sits on the board of directors for the Space Grant and has acquired the scholarship funding for another three years.

Also, our two Skills USA participants received recognition for their performance at the National Skills Competition in Kansas City. Secondary student, Shawn Martell finished in fourth place, missing the bronze medal by only 19 points and post secondary student, Zackery Williams finished in fourteenth place in the intense competition. Zack was unable to attend the ceremony because he is attending North Dakota University for a bachelor’s degree in Professional Aviation. He started as a junior due to his work at BTC and his attainment of an Airframe and Powerplant license.

While enrolled in BTC's Aviation Technology program students complete the general portion of their aircraft technician certification. They can continue at the BTC airport facility and obtain their Airframe and Powerplant certification. With this license they are eligible to work on everything from jets to helicopters to dirigibles. BTC also has an agreement with Vermont Technical College allowing students to pursue an Associate Degree in Aerospace Engineering. Talks are currently underway to allow students to obtain an Associate Degree in Aviation Maintenance Management or a Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering through VTC.