Students from across the region gather to demonstrate skills in high-demand field
FORT WORTH, Texas (Feb. 24, 2017) – Tarrant County College will host future aviation maintenance technicians from across the Southwest this month for the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) Aviation Maintenance Olympics. The event gives students an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a field that is soaring in demand.
The eighth annual event will take place Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Erma C. Johnson Hadley Northwest Center of Excellence for Aviation, Transportation and Logistics—TCC’s training site at Alliance Airport. At 163,500 square feet, it is the largest aviation education facility in Texas.
Students from seven schools throughout the region—including institutions in Houston, Corpus Christi, Longview, Tulsa and North Texas—will take part in the competition, which includes parts assembly and installation along with safety techniques. All portions of the competition are hands on, with students using safety wire, hydraulic tubing, electrical conductors and more to showcase the speed, accuracy and expertise required of aviation technicians. Laboratory competition sponsors include American Airlines, US Aviation, Mair-Crafters Aviation, Tarrant Regional Water District, Ellis Precision Industries, Parker Hannifin/Aviall, Elbit Systems of America, Trimec Aviation, GE On-Wing Support, Broadie’s Aircraft, the DFW Chapter of PAMA and J & G Aviation; prizes are provided by Snap-On Tools.
The event provides networking opportunities and enhances students’ résumés.
“As the industry expands and technology advances, there is tremendous need for professionals who can safely and quickly take care of the worldwide fleet of aircraft,” said Darrell Irby, chair of TCC’s Aviation Department. “Our students spend countless hours preparing for their careers, and the PAMA Olympics are a fun way to put their skills to the test.”
To keep up with demand, the aviation industry will need more than 2 million new professionals through 2035—including 679,000 new maintenance technicians, according to the 2016 Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook, an industry forecast. TCC offers associate degrees and certificates in aviation maintenance technology and airframe maintenance along with professional pilot training. For more information, visit the TCC website.
Media information: The competition runs 8 a.m. to approximately 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Awards will be presented at approximately 4 p.m. Visits are recommended between 2:15 and 3 p.m. for the most visual elements of the Olympics.
