MVCC opens new aviation-maintenance classroom

ROME, N.Y. — Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) on Nov. 2 unveiled its new aviation-maintenance classroom at the MVCC Aviation Training Center at 645 Bomber Drive at Griffiss International Airport. CommuteAir, a United Express airlines partner, sponsored the classroom.

“CommuteAir and the MVCC Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) program have had a strong partnership for years, and this classroom sponsorship will help put the level of commitment from both CommuteAir and MVCC in the spotlight for all to witness,” Walt Constantini, MVCC’s director of aviation programs, said in a news release.

The six-year partnership between MVCC and CommuteAir has resulted in MVCC graduates starting their careers at CommuteAir’s maintenance hangar in Albany and maintenance bases in Lincoln, Nebraska and Denver, Colorado.

“Many highly qualified A&P technicians have graduated from MVCC and started successful careers at CommuteAir,” Erick Kane, corporate-communications manager, said. “As part of CommuteAir’s continued sponsorship of the MVCC Aerospace Maintenance program, we are excited to reveal our new classroom-sponsorship project that rightfully cements this partnership.”

MVCC’s Airframe and Powerplant technician certificate program is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week program over three consecutive semesters. Over 12 months, students receive 42 college credits of FAA-approved training that prepares them to sit for the examinations required for the FAA certificate. Enrollment is limited to 24 students per semester with enrollment taking place in May, August, and January.

CommuteAir has also been a sponsor of MVCC’s student team at Aerospace Maintenance Competition for the past five years. The competition provides an opportunity for current and future aviation-maintenance professionals to compete in events that test the skills and knowledge required of an aviation-maintenance technician.

CommuteAir is a regional airline operating flights on behalf of United Airlines as a United Express partner. Headquartered in Cleveland, it operates up to 1,500 weekly flights with hubs in Denver, Houston, and Washington Dulles.