Nineteen students in the program received General Certificates of Completion, allowing them to take the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s general mechanic written exam.
The demand for aircraft mechanics and technicians is high and is expected to grow rapidly.
Dylan Derringer is in his first year of WCC’s Aviation Systems Technology program, and he said it was an amazing feeling to earn his General Certificate of Completion, the first step of the certification process. “It’s been a long road with a lot of learning and adapting, and this is the day I’ve been waiting for the whole time,” he said at the certificate presentation ceremony.
Derringer originally studied sociology and general humanities but decided to further his education in aviation mechanics, ultimately hoping to work on large aircraft. “I’ve always enjoyed working on things and learning systems, and I wanted to do something where I knew I could make a difference,” he shared. “I have the attention to detail and the care and respect for this field, so I felt like it would be a good fit.”
The students who earned certificates, listed by city of residence, are:
Apex
Will Donaldson
Nathan Rodgers
Benson
Kalel Gonzalez-Jimenez
Faison
Johan Ramon Mendo
Garner
Alex Cvetkovski
Sam Strickland
Goldsboro
Kenny Poole
Kinston
Brody Peacock
La Grange
Gabriel Fisher
Nashville
David Wilson
Raleigh
Matthew Brigham
Dylan Derringer
Michael Quinones
Sims
Andrew Guess
Smithfield
Jeffrey Williams
Wilson
Jon Christie
Ethan Dowdy
Renzo Marzo
Youngsville
Caylor Herndon
WCC’s Aviation Systems Technology program offers an Aviation Systems Technology degree, Aviation Systems Technology airframe diploma, and Aviation Systems Technology powerplant diploma.
For students interested in getting a four-year degree, WCC’s Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Systems Technology qualifies for East Carolina University’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology Transfer Program.
