Press Release
Release Date: January 26, 2010
Contacts: Katherine Schiffner, Communications Coordinator, 425-388-9554; kschiffner@everettcc.edu
Jeff Salee, Aviation Technical Services Marketing Manager, 425-423-4454; jeff.salee@atsmro.aero
Aviation Technical Services Donates 767 Airplane Rudder to EvCC
Advanced Composites Technology Improves Aviation Program
EVERETT, WA – A chance meeting at an Everett coffee shop led to the donation of advanced technology that will improve the way Everett Community College trains the next generation of aviation maintenance technicians.
Aviation Technical Services (ATS) donated a Boeing 767 rudder that was removed from service to EvCC’s Aviation Maintenance Technician School Jan. 20. EvCC will use the part to teach students about composite materials repair. Composites are increasingly being used to construct aircraft, including the Boeing 787.
“We can talk about it in the classroom and watch instructional videos, but due to this donation we can now do hands-on maintenance on advanced composites technology,” said EvCC aviation maintenance instructor Alex Porter. “This is a pivotal piece of technology for our program.”
Porter, who worked at ATS before teaching at EvCC, ran into former co-worker Ann Roy in summer 2009 and mentioned that the college was looking for aircraft components for training students.
Roy, a Business Development Manager in ATS’ Component Services, thought of the rudder which was being taken out of service. Subsequently, both Roy and Chris McLane successfully endeavored to obtain the necessary approvals to donate the rudder to EvCC’s Aviation Maintenance Technician School.
With donation approval in hand, ATS had one more hurdle to overcome before the rudder could be transferred to its new EvCC home and final destination. Because the rudder was still in its original livery paint condition, it had to be painted. ATS found an inventory of aircraft standard primer and paint which had exceeded its shelf life and was destined for waste. Using the expired paint, ATS paint partner Associated Painters (AP) agreed to donate their time and repainted the rudder in style, complete with ATS, EvCC and AP logos.
“Everett Community College is a leader in training students to become professional aircraft mechanics, and we are excited to be a part of that,” said ATS president Matt Yerbic. “We hope to see the students who work on this rudder at our company or at another company in the area.”
ATS is a strong supporter of the college’s aviation maintenance program, previously donating work on an EvCC helicopter and airplane. The company facilitated the rudder donation to the college via the Everett Community College Foundation, which accepts equipment, technology and donations to support college students and college programs.
ATS is the largest third-party, single-site transport aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul provider in North America and one of the largest employers in the state, second only to Boeing in Snohomish County.
The company is known for its commitment and efforts in promoting aerospace jobs in Washington state. Some efforts include participating in the Washington Council on Aerospace and the Aerospace Futures Alliance, which plays a key role in securing state funding to train Washington’s aerospace workers.
In 2009, ATS participated in the development and accreditation of the state funded Aircraft Mechanic Airframe apprenticeship program with the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC). This included hiring 17 trainees to participate in the on-site ATS program..
ATS also assisted in the creation of EvCC’s new Aviation Maintenance Technician School training facility on Paine Field which the 767 rudder is being donated to. It also hosted an aerospace roundtable discussion, a gathering which included Gov. Christine Gregoire and other aerospace industry and community leaders.
EvCC’s Aviation Maintenance Technician School opened in 1968. Today, more than 70 students are enrolled in the program, learning the background knowledge and practical shop experience to earn an associate’s degree, certificate in aviation maintenance technology, or FAA Mechanic's Certificate, Airframe & Powerplant ratings. Graduates work in Snohomish County and around the world. For more information about the program, visit www.everettcc.edu/aviation
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