Photo / Courtesy, University of Maine at Augusta
UMA President Jenifer Cushman accepts an official certification document from FAA Flight Standard District Office Manager Lionel Stevens.
July 12, 2024
UMA opens Maine's first aviation maintenance technician school
Photo / Courtesy, University of Maine at Augusta
UMA aviation maintenance technician school’s program manager, Maria Wilcox, and instructor, Alex Haggan, work on a school plane.
Until now, Maine has been one of only three states without a program to train aviation maintenance technicians, forcing employers in the state's growing aviation and aerospace sectors to recruit skilled workers from elsewhere.
In response to that demand, the University of Maine at Augusta is opening the state’s first aviation maintenance technician school.
UMA secured final approval in early July from the Federal Aviation Administration. Students will start courses online and hands-on training at the statewide university’s Brunswick Landing aviation campus in late August.
“Qualified aircraft mechanics are in extremely high demand and short supply,” said Jesse Laughlin, general manager of the Portland-based Northeast Air. “UMA’s production of skilled technicians will be invaluable to the aviation community and small businesses in Maine.”
Chris Kilgour, CEO of C&L Aviation Services in Bangor, said the aviation maintenance organization struggles to find enough technicians to meet its needs.
“We currently recruit from out of state and it will be advantageous to be able to do so closer to home,” Kilgour said.
To start the school, UMA received $400,000 in congressionally directed spending, requested by the University of Maine System and secured by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine.
Through Maine Technology Institute, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development also provided $200,000 in start-up costs.
Supporting the school are organizations that rely on aviation maintenance technicians, including LifeFlight of Maine and the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority. The authority administers Brunswick Landing, where the school will be co-located with a number of aviation and aerospace companies.
The school will use state-of-the-art technology such as welding and aircraft painting via virtual reality.
UMA President Jenifer Cushman said the school builds on the growth of the university’s existing aviation programs, which includes degree and certificate programs in crewed and uncrewed aircraft training. The crewed training programs are offered in Augusta and Bangor through a partnership with Maine Instrument Flight, and the uncrewed drone piloting program is delivered in Brunswick.
“Through this program, Mainers will be well prepared for good-paying careers in an exciting industry, and Maine aviation businesses and essential service providers like LifeFlight will have the skilled workforce they need to strengthen our economy and communities,” said Cushman.
The average annual salary for aircraft mechanics and service technicians is $76,260, and can exceed $100,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Through the program, students will be able to earn an industry recognized professional certificate or pursue a pathway that enables them to earn both the certification and either an associate of applied science degree or a bachelor of applied science degree.
Photo / Courtesy, University of Maine at Augusta
In 2022, the University of Maine at Augusta purchased a Cirrus SR20 GS airplane to allow the school to continue expanding its programs in pilot instruction.
Those who complete the five-semester certificate program can immediately sit for exams required to become an FAA-certified airframe and powerplant technician/mechanic, allowing them to work on a wide range of aircraft, including general aviation planes, airliners and helicopters.
UMA’s aviation program began in 2013 and was established as a public-private partnership between UMA and Maine Instrument Flight of Augusta.
In 2022, UMA purchased a new Cirrus SR20 GS airplane to allow the school to continue expanding its programs in pilot instruction.
Applications for the aviation maintenance technician program are open for fall and spring enrollment. To learn more, click here.
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