Contents Page 3 PIA Branches Out Lost a Friend Page 4 Youngstown–Warren Campus Continues to Grow PIA Youngstown Gets a Facelift Page 5 Hagerstown Holds First Graduation Ceremonies New Hagerstown Facility Under Construction Page 6 AMT Day Bowling Team Wins 2012 Championship
Page 8-10 First Impressions: Your Guide to Interviewing Spotlight on Aviation History Page 11 Manufacturer Creates Positions for Grads Employers who have hired from PIA in 2012 Page 12 Graduates Receive National Scholarship Hagerstown Board Member Passes Away Page 14 Students Memorialize Graham Family Alumnus Honored for 50 Years of Service Page 16-18 2012 Scholarship Winners Employee Anniversaries Annual PIA Crossword
Page 7 Rotorcraft Systems Gaining Popularity Allegheny County Airport Photo-Shoot
Check out PIA’s renovated website!
Keep up to date with aviation news, events, and more. Visit us at: www.pia.edu
Editorial Staff:
Contributors:
Editor: Benjamin O’Keefe Copy Editor: Todd Kruszka Layout: Steven Sabold & Benjamin O’Keefe
Kylee Bennett, John Graham III, Jacob Holt, David Koehler, Suzanne Markle, Jason Mongan, Gregory Null, Roxanne Ober, Megan Olney, Lola Suvak
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PIA Branches Out B. O’Keefe
While the aviation industry advances and expands, so does the need for employee training for companies within the field. PIA has identified a need within the industry that takes PIA’s training services out of the classroom and right to the companies. Saint Gobain Performance Plastics, a manufacturing company that makes the radomes for various aircraft, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, is the most recent company to show interest in the new service that PIA offers. As all radomes created by SGPP are crafted completely by hand, it is imperative that they maintain the
best techniques in such things like saft battery practices. drilling, fabricating, and use of These specialized on-site special fasteners. This is where PIA courses are not limited to just one comes in. subject. Classes can be created to “We have been able to identify fit the needs of companies to teach their need,” said Steven Sabold, any of the diverse of skills acquired Director of Admissions at PIA, at PIA. PIA already offers Pitot “and are able to provide a short certification and re-certification curriculum specially designed to fit in addition to its normal full time the needs of the company. This way aviation programs, as well as they can save money, and we can courses on composite materials and provide them with the high standard rotorcraft system maintenance. training they are looking for.” Saint Gobain is not the only company looking into contracting with PIA for specialized on-site training. Other companies such as Air Wisconsin and Degol Jet Center have also inquired about courses to give employees further training in sheet metal fabrication and NiCad
Hugh Coughanour, (1929 - 2013)
In Memoriam J. Graham III
PIA lost a good friend. Hugh Coughanour, board member since 2007, passed away on January 14, 2013. Hugh helped PIA rewrite our bylaws and most significantly oversaw the additions of our Hagerstown and Myrtle Beach campuses. He brought financial experience from forty years in the banking industry to help PIA through many tough financial decisions. Coughanour also served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Hugh always offered great insight and was one of the friendliest people I know. He will be missed by the school. Spring Technician 2013 - 3
The Youngstown Campus Continues to Grow M. Olney
Since the implementation of PIA’s Youngstown–Warren branch campus in 2006, the school has seen tremendous growth and has served as the functioning model for the additional branch campuses that have opened in Hagerstown, Maryland and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Youngstown-Warren campus initially started with a director, two instructors, and one class of 14 students. Average class sizes ranged from 10-15 students for the classes starting in January and 15-20 for classes starting in August. As of August 2012, the campus started its fall semester with the largest class yet, totaling 33. This growth prompted an addition to the campus which houses a large classroom and two new offices. The number of faculty and staff at PIA’s Youngstown-Warren campus has also increased. Since 2010, the YW campus has added a full time administrative assistant, an admissions representative on site, and has hired three more instructors. The growth of the Youngstown branch not only demands more space, but also provides more opportunities for new students to start. There will now be a third annual start date at PIA’s Youngstown and Hagerstown branch campuses, which will take place in late April. Looking towards the future, the campus has expectations to continue growing, and both PIA employees and students alike are eager to see what the future holds. Spring Technician 2013 - 4
Here is a glimpse inside the new classroom at the Youngstown Branch Campus, as well as the largest class in the branch’s history!
PIA Youngstown Gets a Facelift: The Youngstown-Warren Airport has been working to reestablish regularly scheduled commercial air service at the local Airport. This initiative has inspired many improvements to the facility, such as the new paint job on PIA’s Youngstown branch! The Travel Bank – Air Service Initiative set a goal to raise between $3 - $5 million dollars in “non-binding” pledges for their efforts, and were able to exceed that goal, raising over $6 million. Visit www.yngwrnair.com for more information.
Hagerstown Campus Holds First Graduation Ceremonies
it, have been like a foundation for the school,” he said. “This school is built on these students here, and I’m sure that many of them will go and be foundations at other jobs, careers, and corporations.”
Manpower. These companies offer opportunities and assistance in finding part time jobs, so students attending PIA have the ability to earn some money to put toward their education or other necessities.
On August 17th, 2012, PIA’s Hagerstown, MD branch was proud to hold its first ever graduation ceremony. After 16 months of learning, testing, and training, 17 individuals are now able to enter the workforce as Airframe and Powerplant certified mechanics. “As the first class to graduate from the Hagerstown campus, PIA Hagerstown held its you have paved the way for future second graduation ceremony on technicians,” said Greg Null, PIA’s December 22, 2012 (above). Eight Director of Education. more graduates came from that The ceremony was held near class, ready to receive their A&P the campus at the Hagerstown certification. Regional Airport. The feeling of Though the campus is still pride and camaraderie was in the in its youth, it has developed air when co-valedictorian Eric many relationships through the Andrews took the stage. “The community. One such relationship guys in the class, the 17 that made is with Fed Ed Ground and
The students that comprised the first class at Hagerstown came from all over the area, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, and ranged from age 18 to 53. The reach of PIA Hagerstown spreads wider with the second graduating class, including students from New Jersey, Delaware, and Texas.
B. O’Keefe
New Facility Under Construction PIA is proud to announce that due to the Hagerstown Campus’s growth, we are building a new facility! The 18,000 square foot building is located on Pennsylvania Avenue, next to Nick’s Airport Inn. The building is designed specifically for PIA’s needs, and will have many beneficial features, such as ramp access.
The first graduating class of PIA’s Hagerstown Branch Campus.
Due to our partnership with Dave Rider and the support of the County Commissioners, the construction is moving quickly, and is expected to be complete and ready for the next class starting in August of 2013! For more details and continuous updates, check out www.pia.edu/facebook/. Spring Technician 2013 - 5
AMT Day K. Bennett
On May 24, 2012, PIA Myrtle Beach Campus hosted the 3rd Annual Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, a celebration to recognize the efforts of the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians of South Carolina. The free event, which was open to all the AMTs and future AMTs in the state of South Carolina, drew in over 100 attendees. After being served up a buffet style lunch, the attendees were greeted by Peg Jackson, Campus Director. Jackson then introduced Neil Baker of the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission. Following Baker were Mike Marlowe, General Aviation Manager for Horry County Department of Airports, Mike Hill, President of Avcraft, and finally Scott Camp of the FAA Safety Team. Each speaker took the time to thank the individuals present for their hard work and dedication in making the aviation industry what it is today.
Aviation Maintenance Technician Day was created in honor of Charles E. Taylor, who is credited for being the world’s first aircraft mechanic. This occasion made the AMT luncheon a perfect opportunity to recognize a man who has given 50 years of dedicated service to the Aviation Maintenance Industry.
Carl Knuth, pictured above, was recognized and presented with the “Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award”. Knuth was presented with the honorary certificate and lapel pin by the FAA, as well as a PIA watch by Peg Jackson. This luncheon was the first of what we hope to be a long-standing tradition to honor those people who serve as “the backbone of aviation.”
Attendees enjoy lunch at annual Aviation Maintenance Technician Day celebration.
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PIA’s Bowling Team Wins 2012 Championship T. Kruszka
A few years ago, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics began to offer two sports teams. They joined the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference and the Pennsylvania Athletic Association. PIA has done well, but the 2012 Bowling season was exceptional. Seven bowlers, Andrew Whaley, Travis Carson, Ryan Graham, Nick Myers, Nick Withrow, Kevin Kerr, and Bruce Thompson, have accomplished something that no other PIA team had: they won the 2012 WPCC Men’s Team Championship.
Nick Withrow, Travis Carson, Kevin Kerr, Andrew Whaley, Nick Myers, and Ryan Graham. Not Pictured: Bruce Thompson.
The team cruised to a 995 pin win for first place in the Men’s Team Championship on February 10, 2012. Andrew Whaley collected second place in the Men’s singles with a three game score of 634. Andrew Whaley and Travis Carson then teamed up for Men’s doubles and took second place in the event with a combined score of 1178 for three games. The hardware kept rolling for Whaley; he collected the WPCC Men’s Bowling 2012 Overall Champion as well. Whaley said “We knew we had a chance this year. The guys were doing well in practice and it really looked good.”
Rotorcraft Systems Maintenance Elective Gaining Popularity J. Holt
Twice a year PIA offers an elective course in Rotorcraft Systems and Maintenance at the Pittsburgh campus. The course, taught by Alex Ladzinski, Quality Assurance Inspector for Air Methods
Corporation, is available to students that have completed their first three quarters of study as well as current industry A&P Technicians. Students who have graduated from PIA’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program and completed the Rotorcraft Systems and Maintenance course have gone on to work for companies such as L3 Communications and Sikorsky. The course starts with the history of helicopters and also covers flight controls and basic engine installations. During the course, Ladzinski also teaches students about the specific physics of rotorcraft as well as the intricacies of the technical vocabulary used by rotorcraft technicians. According to Ladzinski this language is
something attained through handson experience and field work, not something that can be learned in a book. Students enrolled in the course also have the opportunity to go to Air Methods Corporation’s repair facility at the Allegheny County Airport and be introduced to live, state-of-the-art rotorcraft at the facility. Dave Starzynski, a recent PIA graduate who is now working for Air Methods Corporation, took the Rotorcraft Systems and Maintenance course. Starzynski commented that he liked the hands-on work with helicopters the course provided and said that it was well worth the cost. He also recommends the course to students who are interested in working with rotorcraft.
Allegheny County Airport Photo-Shoot: On January 25, PIA held a photo-shoot around the Allegheny County Airport. Air Methods and Corporate Air, both located on the airport, opened their doors for the event. Photographer Jeff Kowal captured photos of PIA students hard at work, as well as various aircraft throughout the airport. PIA would like to thank Air Methods and Corporate Air for their support!
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First Impressions: Your Guide to Interviewing J. Mongan The resume has been sent, emails have been traded; now it’s time for the big day - interview day. While interviews are difficult for many, there are things to keep in mind that can make the process quite a bit easier. View interviews as an opportunity, not as a stress. When does an interview actually begin? The second you are in contact with an employer, whether it is through email, phone conversation, or through an online database, the interview has already begun. Interviews have two phases: formal and informal. The informal process is typically overlooked. Leading up to the formal interview, an individual’s responses to any communication is considered the informal phase. Small questions are asked, and responses are typically provided via email or a brief phone call. It’s very easy to forget that these answers are the most important ones. The answers quite literally get your foot in the door for a formal interview. The formal interview phase typically receives the most attention. The interviewee has his or her foot in the door, and now wants to open it. Here are some helpful tips:
Before Arrival: Make sure to research as much as possible about the company. Know about recent mergers, expansions, aircraft serviced, and exactly what the employer does. Having no knowledge of the company is the easiest way to be turned down by a company.
Arrival: When arriving to an interview, always arrive early. There is no excuse to arrive late. Map the interview site ahead of time and prepare for traffic. If you see you will be late due to an extreme circumstance, make sure to call well ahead of time and warn the employer. Always make sure to park in a designated visitor parking spot or in an assigned area. If you are unsure where to park, never be shy to ask a security personnel or an employee. Show maturity through proper driving skills and proper music volume levels. Follow all security protocols upon check in. Treat all employees with respect and never dismiss anyone as being unimportant in this process. Many times, hiring staff members asks any employees who have encountered the candidate their opinion. A rude remark or condescending attitude could easily change an interview into a sticky situation. Remain patient while waiting. This provides an opportunity to prepare for the actual formal interview. Keep a smile and relax. Spring Technician 2013 - 8
Formal Interview: Always shake the hand of the interviewer(s) immediately upon introduction. The handshake should be confident and give the impression that you are happy, stress free, and ready to work for this company. Using too much strength or having a “dead fish� handshake can start the interview on a downhill path that is hard to correct. Answer all questions clearly and concisely. While the answer should never be limited to one word, a speech is not required for every answer. If they ask about a specific time period, answer about that time period only. Giving more information that was asked can make an employer view you as unable to follow instructions or give the employer the impression that you are stretching the truth. Know yourself. Understand your strengths and weaknesses and be able to describe them. What do you like to do for fun? How do you react in high pressure situations? If you do not know yourself, how can you expect an employer to understand you? Give all interviewers attention during the interview. Make sure to make eye contact with everyone and speak to individuals as they ask questions. Staring at the floor and ceiling will create an uncomfortable and impersonal interview. Keep your nerves in check. Keep fidgeting, rocking, ums and ahhs, and other nervous tendencies at home. Understand how you react under stress and take precautions to prevent it from happening during the interview. Participating in mock interviews can help identify these small distractions and allows ample time to prepare.
Ending: Thank the hiring staff for their time and make sure to obtain a business card, or at the very least the name, of all interviewers. Give a proper handshake and leave. This part sounds very easy but the last impression is easily as important as the first.
Follow-up: A great way to follow-up an interview is with a simple thank you card. Any blank stock card will do. Thank the employer for their time and the opportunity, sign a name, and mail it off. This should be done within 24 hours after the interview. In most cases employers will tell you when to expect a phone call or follow-up. If the time period comes and goes, feel free to make a polite phone call or send an email to politely ask about the status of the position. In many cases this is a great way to keep your name fresh in their minds. Make an attempt to not call more than once a month unless instructed otherwise. There is a fine line between needing a job and appearing desperate.
Summary: Interviewing is the best way to tell an employer about yourself and why the position fits you, using your own words. Make sure to market yourself the best you can and keep your hopes high at all times. If you find that you have not obtained the position, keep trying. Take the advice you may have received from the previous interview experience and apply it to the next. Obtaining the position will be your goal; keep your eye on the prize and good luck!
Attention Prospects, Students, and Alumni: As a reminder, upon successful completion or your education at PIA, you receive ongoing placement services including: - Resume Building Assistance - Resume Submissions - On-Campus Interviews and Presentations - Career Fairs If interested in placement opportunities, please contact Jason Mongan, Placement Coordinator, at 412-346-2175 or jmongan@pia.edu. Spring Technician 2013 - 9
SPOTLIGHT ON AVIATION HISTORY Real Women Carry Dope G. Null
She would become the first female to fly in the left seat, or any seat for the matter, of a transport aircraft. Helen Richey, a famous aviatrix from McKeesport, PA, started her aviation career by tinkering with aircraft at Bettis Field, a most unusual exercise in those days. Taking flying lessons from the Curtiss-Wright Flight Service, a precursor to PIA, added her to a small, vocal, and brave cadre of female flyers that took huge risks to push aviation to new heights. In 1932, Ms. Richey was asked to join Frances Marsalis in Miami, FL to set the airborne world endurance record for women that stood at eight days in the air. Both accomplished pilots, there was reason to believe that Helen was chosen due to her mechanical abilities as much as her flying skills. Ever since she was a teenager, Helen could be found in the hangars at Bettis Field tinkering and learning the trade with the mechanics. These two young women, with financial backing from Outdoor Girl cosmetics, took off on December 21st in a Curtiss Thrush to crush the standing record of 196 hours. A support crew would keep them nourished and fueled; back then packages and a fuel line (not unlike a gas station pump line) were lowered, trailed behind the supply aircraft, and wrangled in by a crewmember. Eighty-three of these dangerous encounters occurred.
Miami, was mind-numbing. There were moments of terror, particularly during refueling. Five days in, Helen was receiving the 55-lb box of food and supplies when a gust of wind sent the package careening into the cloth fuselage. With such a gaping hole, their flight would end four days early. Upon inspection, Helen notified Frances at the controls. After a brief discussion, Helen decided to fix the hole herself. She pulled out her fabric and dope, the lacquer used to tauten and secure the fabric over the ribs. She began to repair the hole, after climbing out of the fuselage and sitting on the wing. Soon the hole was patched and Helen was back inside the fuselage. At other times during the flight, her keen ear was used to observe and troubleshoot the hum of the engine.
Additional information:
Kerfoot, G. (1988). Propeller AnDecember 28 marked the day nie. Lexington, KY: Powell. in which they met the record. In a blink of an eye, they broke it at 5:08PM. At times, both women wished to stay up in the air until J-6 series engine burned out or Helen’s handiwork fatigued. Neither happened. Instead, on December 30, The Thrush queued up on the centerline and landed. Both women were in the air for 237 hours, 42 minutes, logging 23,700 miles circling Miami over 10 days.
Is it a stretch to say that Helen Richey learned basic mechanics from PIA? While she never earned a credential to work on aircraft, Helen Richey, like most pioneering aviators, was forced to learn the upkeep of their aircraft in the early days when airports were fields and hangars were auto shops. In this instance, the record-breaking flight The monotony of such a would have ended early if the holes journey, endless circles around were not fixed aloft. While both Spring Technician 2013 - 10
women flew the Thrush during this time in shifts, it appears that Helen was the one who looked after the plane, creating a safe and sturdy platform to break the record. Helen died in 1947. Unable to find work in the post-war, maledominated aviation industry, she took her own life. What she left was a remarkable run that began in McKeesport and took her around the world and into the record books. While not a household name like Amelia Earhart, perhaps due to her untimely death, Helen Richey deserves to be counted as one of the trailblazers who pushed women’s rights skyward.
Helen Richey, accomplished pilot, aviation maintenance technician, and pioneer for women in the aviation industry.
Manufacturer Creates Positions for PIA Grads B. O’Keefe
In conjunction with the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics’ placement department, Triumph Aerostructures has created the first position reserved strictly for PIA graduates.
just for them. The ability to have a direct link to an employer of such high regard as Triumph Aerostructures is what makes this experience so unique,” said Jason Mongan, PIA placement coordinator, “I hope to see more opportunities like this for students in the future. In a period of high unemployment in the United States, it is comforting to know that there are industries still thriving with no foreseen drop in demand for our students.”
Triumph Aerostructures’ Vought Aircraft Division is a leadThe position with Triumph Aerostructures’ Vought Aircraft Division was first posted on February 3, 2012. Upon observation of PIA’s aviation maintenance program, the Vought Aircraft Division determined that the education applicants received from PIA would count as two years’ work experience when determining salary.
ing global manufacturer of aerostructures for commercial, military and business jet aircraft, and offers a full range of design, testing, manufacturing and support capabilities. The position is located at Triumph’s facility in Stuart, FL, and applications are also considered for their other locations in Texas and Georgia. Graduates from any of PIA’s four campuses are eligible to apply for the positions.
“This is the first time students and alumni have been able to apply to a position that was created
Employers who have hired from PIA in 2012: Acutronic - Pittsburgh, PA Advanced Aircraft Maintenance - West Mifflin, PA Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services - Wilmington, OH AvCraft Aviation - Myrtle Beach, SC Bechtel/Bettis - West Mifflin, PA CommutAir - Cleveland, OH Constant Aviation - Cleveland, OH Corporate Air - West Mifflin, PA Dassault Falcon - Wilmington, DE Dynamic Aviation - Bridgewater, VA Era Alaska - Anchorage, AK Everts Air Cargo - Fairbanks, AK
Flight Options - Cleveland, OH GE Aviation - Durham, NC Micron - Manassas, VA Nextant Aerospace - Cleveland, OH Piedmont Airlines - Salisbury, MD Prime Turbines - Butler, PA Quality Avionics - Mercer, PA Sierra Nevada Corporation - Hagerstown, MD Silver Airways - DuBois, PA Skytech, Inc. - Westminster, MD Triumph Aerostructures - Stuart, FL Winner Aviation - Vienna, OH Spring Technician 2013 - 11
PIA Graduates Receive National Scholarship R. Ober
Adam Keuler, an August 2012 Hagerstown graduate, and Matthew Cavanaugh, a January 2013 Pittsburgh graduate, received the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) Maintenance Technical Reward and Career Scholarship (TRACS). Keuler and Cavanaugh were among 35 total recipients chosen from around the nation for the scholarship. The winners of the scholarship have the privilege of taking a class of their choice offered by the scholarship program. Keuler decided to take the Citation II Maintenance Initial Course in September of 2012, provided at the
CAE Simuflite Training Center in Dallas, Texas. Cavanaugh selected the Advanced Composite Structures: Fabrication and Damage Repair Phase 1 course this past January at Abaris Training Resources Inc. in Griffin, Georgia. The applicants were required to complete a 250 word essay about what the aviation industry means to them. Once they were awarded the scholarship, they were given one year to attend the class they chose. Both of PIA’s TRACS scholarship winners chose to take the course shortly after graduation. “It was a very beneficial course. I learned something new every day,” said Cavanaugh. “What I liked most about the class was that Abaris did not only teach us what to do, but they taught us why we were doing it. I would highly recommend the course.”
Keuler attended an 8 hour class every day for 10 days where the instructor was a true professional who had worked on Citations for much of his career. Most importantly, the instructor loved to share his knowledge, leaving Keuler excited for the next day of instruction. One of the highlights was the opportunity to spend an hour in the simulator; Keuler experienced the feeling of being in a real aircraft landing at JFK. During the 10 days, he met and talked to mechanics who love their jobs and shared stories and experiences in aviation. Keuler said he owes most of his experience to PIA for encouraging him to go through with the application process and he would recommend this opportunity to any PIA student. Keuler is now employed with Cape Air in New England and Cavanaugh with Air Methods in West Mifflin, PA.
Hagerstown Advisory Board Member Passes Away S. Markle
PIA’s Hagerstown campus mourns the loss of program advisory member Mr. Tracey L. Potter (1964 - 2013). Tracey was the owner and president of Hagerstown Aircraft Services Inc., and was an active member of the aviation community in Hagerstown, MD. Tracey was a great supporter of PIA’s Hagerstown branch since its opening in April of 2011. Tracey always brought a fresh industry perspective along with his personal insight and experience to PIA’s staff and students, and he will be greatly missed. Spring Technician 2013 - 12
Adam Keuler, NBAA scholarship winner and PIA Hagerstown alumnus.
Matthew Cavanaugh, NBAA scholarship winner with his son, Gavin, at his PIA Pittsburgh graduation
Adam Keuler’s Winning Essay 250 word, typed, double space essay describing your interest in and goals for a career in the business aviation maintenance field.
I haven’t always loved aviation....and I haven’t always dreamed of being an aircraft technician; in fact, my first passion was baseball. From the time I was young, I found myself wanting to understand the game and all of its functional intricacies. I was a catcher, and in order to perfect my game, I had to understand my pitcher. It was a relationship that had to be nurtured and examined continuously; it had to be fueled by the desire to have a fluid, working body, between two separate parts that when put into action, achieved the desired result. As I grew older, and my interests expanded, I realized that my understanding of the catcher/pitcher relationship, and how functional parts work together, was an application that could be injected into all facets of life. I ripped apart bikes, coffee makers, skateboards, and anything else that could be dismantled just to see how they were made. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated the “whole”, but my desire to comprehend how-itworked, and ‘can I make this better’, drove my curiosity. For me, aviation A & P’s are unsung heroes; the skills that it takes to maintain, revive, refurbish, and care for an aircraft are not skills that can be appreciated by the general public. The pride I feel as I prepare to enter into this is incomparable to any other experience thus far. I have spent years rotating through a career field which has left me unsatisfied and unfulfilled; I’ve always believed that I had more to offer but wasn’t sure exactly what it was. At 34, after delving into other opportunities, my love for aviation and aircraft maintenance has come full-circle; this is my future....it is my passion. My career ambitions can be stated as simply as this: I am prepared to commit the rest of my life to aircraft maintenance and engineering. I want to be a part of aviation’s future; I want to contribute to a business, and a field, that is moving forward with 21st century innovation. I am ready to understand aviation as a whole, by respecting its parts: where it has been, its peaks and struggles, what we’ve learned from those experiences, and how we plan to move forward. If I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it well....and that is what I see within this scholarship opportunity--the chance to become a worthy applicant of such a stellar industry.
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Students Memorialize Graham Family T. Kruszka
John Graham III, Brandon Arnold, Austin Adams Steven Meyers, and Thomas West stand in front of the custom decal.
Two days prior to graduation, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics’ president John Graham was given a surprise by four PIA students: his face, along with the faces of his father and grandfather, decaled on the nose of a Cessna 310. It was a generous and well received gift that was originally conceived of by Pittsburgh campus student Steven Meyers. “We played a game of one upsmanship,” he explained, “we fixed the Cessna [172], then Mr. Graham took us for a ride in it, so we did this right before graduation to get the last word.” It began with a simple maintenance project. The Cessna 172 had been sitting for 17 years without flying. Meyers and his coworkers Brandon Arnold, Austin Adams, and Thomas West repaired the tires, then moved on to the brakes, and eventually the entire aircraft was back to working order. “It took three or four months,” Meyers said. After the repairs, the plane went on its first test flight but suffered complications. The group put another full week of work into the plane, after which president Spring Technician 2013 - 14
Graham gave the men a ride to thank PIA Alumnus Honored them for their hard work. During the flight, they noticed the smell of gas. for 50 Years of Service “That was another week of work,” L. Suvak recalled Meyers, smiling. Sometime during his senior Graham eventually flew year at Bridgeville High, a school the plane down to Myrtle Beach campus. “[It was] just amazing that just outside nearby Pittsburgh, he had that kind of confidence in us, William “Bill” Earnest made a flying the plane himself,” Meyers visit to his guidance counselor that said. They watched Graham take off would launch him on a fifty plus on the runway, and Meyers’ phone year journey. While many of his rang five hours later, indicating classmates would choose careers that Graham had landed safely. in the steel industry or head off to “That was a long five hours,” says college, Bill decided to attend the Meyers, “It had only been flown in Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics good weather and had just spent 17 to become an Airframe and Powerplant mechanic (at this time years without getting touched.” they were called A&E Mechanics). As a way to say thank you, In today’s world it is hard to find Meyers coordinated with several an American who has not flown in PIA staff members to place a an aircraft at one time or another; commemorative decal on the however, in 1960, when most still Cessna 310 in the hangar. The traveled by car, bus, or train, Bill project started in late February; first headed off to learn how to repair and they used a graphic artist to design maintain machines that he wouldn’t what they wanted, a decal company have a chance to fly in himself for then put it on vinyl. another two years. On May 3rd “I knew he would never do and 4th, 2012, Bill was recognized something like this [for himself] so by his employer, US Airways, and we did it,” Meyers explains, “we the FAA for his fifty year career in still weren’t sure how he was going Aviation. to react.” The surprise element US Airways feted Bill at was nearly lost on more than one a dinner in Tampa hosted by occasion. “When we were three David Seymour, the senior vice quarters of the way done, we saw president of Technical Operations. Mr. Graham walking towards the Bill was presented with a pin paint shop,” said Meyers. He barely commemorating his 50 years with missed the decal. Meyers also the airline. He began his career in recounts the planning being very 1962 with US Airways predecessor difficult. Mohawk Airlines and worked “I used to stop by Mrs. Suvak’s through four mergers, four company office to [discuss the project], and name changes, and many corporate her office is right next to his.” identity changes. In the end, the presentation The FAA awarded Bill the went off without a hitch. “He was Charles Taylor Master Mechanic speechless,” said Brandon Arnold.
Award. This award is named in honor of Mr. Charles Taylor, the first aviation mechanic in powered flight. The Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior mechanics. Mr. Taylor served as the Wright brothers’ mechanic
awarded a certificate and a lapel pin. Their spouse also receives a smaller version of the lapel pin for her contribution. Recipients are recognized in the Charles TaylorMaster Mechanic Award - Roll of When selected, recipients are Honor located online at: FAASafety.gov.
and is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful powered aircraft. This award was presented to Bill by Mr. Charles Taylor, the great grandson of the original Wright mechanic.
We recently had a chance to sit down with Bill and ask him some questions about his time in aviation. Q: When did you start training at PIA? Bill: I started two weeks before my High School graduation. I missed all of the graduation practices and had to closely watch the guys around me to know what to do! Q: In a fifty year career you must have had a job you liked the best. What was it? Bill: I love line maintenance. There is always something new. Once you fix the plane you are working on you can be sure that eventually a new and different problem will show up at the gate. Q: How many different transport aircraft types have you worked on during your fifty year career? Bill: I don’t know! We’ll have to count them up. (After a few minutes of calculating the answer is 24 with a mix of piston, turbo-prop and jet aircraft.) Q: What is your favorite Airline memory? Bill: My twenty fifth year anniversary party in Pittsburgh. It was hosted by then airline chairman Mr. Edwin Colodny. Q: Well, if that was your favorite what was your least favorite memory? Bill: I once pulled a hydraulic line apart at its quick disconnect. Someone had removed the insides of the connector and not replaced them. Instead of stopping the fluid from coming out of the line it shot out all over me. If you have never bathed in Skydrol I can tell you it’s not any fun! Q: After fifty years you must have a funny story or two. Can we finish up with one? Bill: Well, years ago I was assigned to dead head from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg on an aircraft that needed a generator CSD changed. The aircraft that we were riding on was the aircraft that needed the work done and was being operated under MEL. We were going to do the maintenance while it sat in Harrisburg overnight. I knew that we would be working all night so I had planned on trying to take a nap on the way over. I was seated next to a little old lady and noticing my uniform she ask what I was doing on the flight and I told her that I was riding over to work on an aircraft. That seemed to satisfy her until we were on final approach to land. I was awoken by that same lady elbowing me in the ribs and pointing down at the airport. She said to me “there is no airplane down there for you to work on.” I replied, “It will be there shortly”. After she thought about that for a little while it dawned on her what that meant and said, “You tricked me”, I found that amusing as I was asleep most of the flight. Bill would like to thank his wife, Mary, for all of her support through the years. As she said at lunch the other day, “We work at US Airways.” While many people have had long and successful careers at airlines not many can say that they have been safely moving aircraft for fifty years and counting. Thanks for the memories, Bill. Mr. Earnest receiving his award
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Congratulations to All 2012 Scholarship Winners! PIA Matching Scholarships Travis Carson Taylor Dunmire Mitchell Harshberger Thomas Hillwig Garth Ott Michael Rupp Nathaniel Schultheis Adam Stultz Bruce Thompson Eric Tomchek Christopher Toth Jacob Williams PIA Memorial Scholarship 2012 Donovan Bricker Michael Rupp William Sollenberger Bruce Thompson AEA, Johnny Davis Memorial Scholarship Adam Stultz AWAM Scholarship Natasha Jackson Rachel Kieler Christina Parden
Brandon J. Boyd Memorial Scholarship Ryan Knupp Chestnut Ridge Christian Fund Adam Stultz Croatian Fraternal Union of America Douglas Barr David G. Marshall Memorial Scholarship Nolan Scheider G.S. Klingensmith & Dolan Scholarship Samuel Chesbro Harrison Memorial Scholarship Erik Tomchek Huber Memorial Scholarship Thomas Hillwig Imagine America Scholarship Christopher Housman
James Miller Scholarship Adam Stultz McClellan Memorial Scholarship David Ritter Mercer Mustang Touchdown Club Jacob Dominguez Newman Scholarship Mitchell Harshberger Pittsburgh Promise Fabio Bonaventura Sons of Italy Vincent Vitolo Trax-Shoemaker Scholarship Jacob Williams Walmart Scholarship Brenden Hafler William Penn Fraternal Association Christopher Toth
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Many organizations, like Boeing and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have projected that we will need more aviation maintenance technicians in the near future. These projections vary in number and in scope, but the message itself is clear, there is a future in aviation for a skilled airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic. For that reason, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Flight Standards Service, Aircraft Maintenance Division is developing initiatives with Aviation and Space Education (AVSED) to showcase the profession to younger students, those in middle and high school.� - Steven W. Douglas, Manager, Aircraft Maintenance Division (FAA)
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Employee Anniversaries!
rank Saye, electronics instructor at PIA, joined PIA in February of 1987 after retiring from the United States Army as a Master Sergeant. He started teaching CB radios and working in the 6th AET shop, and then became a repairman in 1988. In 1990, he became the Chief Inspector of the school’s Live Radio Repair Station. In March 2001 He received his Associate in Specialized Technology degree from PIA. Upon the retirement of Frank Klatte, he became the General Manager of the Repair Station. He has been married to a wonderful woman named Marilyn for the last forty-four years and has two sons who went through PIA’s truck driving program. He also has two grandchildren; his grandson, Cody, went through the Heavy Equipment course at PIA, and his granddaughter will graduate High School this year.
Frank Saye, 25 Years of Service
W William Ogle, 15 Years of Service
illiam Ogle, the lead instructor at PIA’s Youngstown-Warren branch, tells people he was born a mechanic because he would rather take his toys apart than play with them. He started out as an auto technician before graduating from PIA. He then worked at a small flight school and a Bell helicopter completions center before becoming an Instructor at PIA. His hobbies and passions include belonging to the Experimental Aircraft Association, private pilot, riding motorcycles, boating, hunting, traveling, and playing the guitar. He also wrote a song that was recorded in Nashville and is playing in regular rotation on Christian country radio.
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ames Zack, electronics instructor at PIA, attended Washington Trade school in Pittsburgh, PA for Electrical Technology, Commercial, Industrial, and Residential Wiring Design and Installation. With the completion of that two year program, he went on to the University of Pittsburgh for seven more years to study electrical engineering and worked in the physics laboratory as a student assistant. There he constructed electronic equipment for the study of magnetic resonance nuclear spins experiments, which over time became the nucleus of the MRI equipment used in hospitals today. He is also a veteran of the United States Air Force where he achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant Air Cadet. In his career, he has also worked for Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) and International Business Machines (IBM). His hobbies include Clarinet, Saxophone, Flying, and fishing.
James Zack, 15 Years of Service
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Brianne Goodwin, 5 Years of Service
rianne Goodwin, Assistant to the Director of Campus Operations, was born and raised in the City of Pittsburgh and currently still lives there. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Clarion University. She started off her career at PIA as a physics, electronics, drafting, and safety instructor. She is also a lifeguard for the City of Pittsburgh. Her hobbies include adventure races, such as Warrior Dash and run for your lives (zombie run). She also enjoys other outdoor activities including sprint triathlons, open water mile swim, marathon relay, and polar plunge. Spring Technician 2013 - 17
Annual PIA Crossword You have to SPELL the ATA Chapter Numbers to complete the puzzle from the clues given. No hyphens or spaces ex: FORTYFOUR
Attention PIA Puzzlers: Thought this puzzle was easy? Send it back to us at PIA-Technician, PO Box 10897, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, and the first three entries with all the correct answers will receive PIA apparel form the bookstore.
Across
Down
2. Nacelles/Pylons 3. Starting 6. Lifting and Shoring 9. Fire Protection 12. Exhaust 14. Oxygen 16. Fuel 18. Indicating/Recording Systems 19. Pneumatic 21. Air 22. Leveling and Weighing 23. Ice and Rain Protection 25. Engine (Internal) 26. Central Maintenance System 29. Auto Flight 32. Time Limits/Maintenance Checks 34. Windows 35. Engine Fuel and Control 37. Standard Practices (ENGINES) 39. Doors 40. Auxilliary Power Unit (APU) 41. Engine Indicating 42. Oil 44. Flight Controls
1. Engine Controls 2. Stabilizers 3. Placards and Markings 4. Fuselage 5. Lights 7. Towing and Taxiing 8. Structures and Standard Practices 10. Dimensions and Areas 11. Standard Practices (Airframe) 13. Water Injection 15. Parking, Mooring and Storage 16. Landing Gear 17. Water and Waste 18. Navigation 20. Servicing 24. Hydraulic Power 27. Vacuum 28. Wings 30. Air Conditioning 31. Electrical Power 33. Ignition 36. Equipment and Furnishings 38. Communications 43. Power Plant (Package)
Puzzle Created by Dave Koehler Spring Technician 2013 - 18
ATA Chapters
Puzzle Created by Dave Koehler Spring Technician 2013 - 19
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