FORT WORTH, Texas — Tarrant County College dominated an industry-standard aerospace maintenance competition April 9-11, with six Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) students collecting individual and team honors.
The team — Madison Glassett, Alexander Jones, Eric Lee, Victor Martinez, Michelle Michaelson and Gilbert Sanchez from TCC Northwest, advised by AMT faculty Stuart Riley and Mike Vitek — won the Overall School category. A record 90 teams from across the globe, including from Brazil, Colombia and Pakistan, competed in 27 maintenance skill events.
The competition was held during the MRO Americas conference in Chicago.
TCC took first in multiple events — Click Bond XR Process Optimization, NBAA & StandardAero Engine Fan Blade Removal, Michelin Tires Aircraft Tire Inspection and FedEx Express Cargo Floor Lock. By winning the Pratt & Whitney Fuel Nozzle Remove and Replace competition, each team member received a $5,000 scholarship for a Line and Base class at Pratt & Whitney’s customer training center in East Hartford, Conn.
Two TCC students also received scholarships to help cover additional training. Glassett won a $2,000 scholarship from the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Organization and a $2,000 scholarship from PHI Aviation. Michaelson won the annual $2,000 Phoebe Omlie Mechanic Scholarship.
Applicants for the annual scholarship must complete an application that includes a 500-word essay that “demonstrates a passion for the craft” of aircraft mechanics.
“I am so proud of the six Tarrant County College Aviation Maintenance students,” said Michael Esquivel, interim dean of Business & Industry at TCC Northwest. “Instrumental in the students’ success is their hard work and devotion to training over several weeks, the commitment of faculty mentors, and the exceptional support provided by Southwest Airlines, which provided hangar space and equipment for training and sponsored the students’ participation and travel.”
Learn more about TCC’s fully accredited Aviation Maintenance Technology program.
Tarrant County College is one of the nation’s largest higher education institutions and boasts the second lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. A comprehensive two-year college with six campuses in Tarrant County and online classes, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees; workforce and economic development programs; technical and skilled trades programs; and customized training for area businesses and corporations.
