The Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition showcases the talent required of aviation maintenance technicians to maintain aircraft and spacecraft in safe, airworthy condition. To further support our future mechanics, AMC is proud to provide scholarships in recognition of Phoebe Omlie, the first female to receive an FAA aircraft mechanic’s license in 1927. Phoebe helped show the world that women were just as capable as men in repairing and maintaining aircraft.
The award recipients are as follows: Micah Chin is a student at the Pittsburg Institute of Aeronautics and was awarded the Phoebe Omlie Scholarship, presented by the Aerospace Maintenance Council as well as the Jim and Alice Rice FAA Test Fees Grant. He is a cadet in the Maryland Civic Air Patrol, which he attributes to his decision to pursue a career in the field of aircraft maintenance. Being a cadet in CAP has helped him prepare for a career in aviation by learning about the history of aviation, as well as the various career paths available in the field. Edgardo Sanchez Casillas is a student at the Puerto Rico Aviation Maintenance Institute. He was awarded the Phoebe Omlie scholarship, presented by American Airlines. He has worked in a local Puerto Rico airline as an airframe mechanic, as well as an HVAC technician and in construction, all of which led him to pursue a career in aviation maintenance. Julio Sanchez Casillas is a student at the Puerto Rico Aviation Maintenance Institute. He was awarded the Phoebe Omlie scholarship, presented by American Airlines. He is finishing his final year and after studying and working a part-time job as a licensed airframe mechanic, he believes he has truly found his calling. According to his Aviation Mechanic Instructor, he is an outstanding student with a great capacity for analysis and logical reasoning that allows him to identify problems and their best solutions. Michelle Michaelson is a student at Tarrant County College where she maintains a 4.0 GPA. She was awarded the Phoebe Omilie scholarship, presented by the TechForce Foundation. She is passionate about the aviation industry and set her sights on the avionics field and hopes to someday be involved in research, development, diagnosing, and testing of aviation systems. Her references said she has an extraordinary ability to quickly understand advanced aviation concepts and then adeptly apply them to real-world situations firsthand. Cadence Bomgardner is a student at Thrust Institute of Maintenance. She was awarded the Phoebe Omilie scholarship, presented by PHI Group, Inc. Her references stated that at the young age of 19, Cadence's aviation achievements rival those of seasoned professionals. Her journey in aviation commenced when she was just 11 years old, captivated by the allure of flight during a memorable flight in a Cessna 182. Since then, her unwavering dedication to aviation has propelled her to achieve remarkable milestones that few her age can match. Madison Glassett is a student at Tarrant County College. She was awarded the Phoebe Omlie scholarship, presented by PHI Group, Inc. She graduated in May of 2022 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas (UT). During college, she didn’t stop at classroom learning, and her passion for aviation led her to start flight training, where she fell in love, and committed to a career in the skies. She earned her commercial license with instrument and multi-engine ratings. Through the pursuit of her education, she aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of aircraft spanning the engineering, flying, and maintenance domains. Rudo Mathende is a student at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. She was awarded the Phoebe Omlie scholarship, presented by Aviation Workforce Solutions. Moving to the United States has given her the chance to pursue graduation and earn her license as an aviation mechanic. According to her references, she is one of the brightest and most dedicated students who continues to excel in her academic pursuits. Caseem Stephenson is a student at Vaughn College where he is pursuing a career as an aviation maintenance technician. He was awarded the Phoebe Omlie Scholarship, presented by Aviation Workforce Solutions. Casseem is also a key member of The National Society of Leadership and Success Chapter (NSLS) at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology and has completed a rigorous leadership training program through the organization. Through many hours of hard work, and after evaluations by both the staff at their college as well as their National Office, Casseem was awarded the Foundations of Leadership Certification. The NSLS is the nation's largest leadership honor society, providing over 1 million members with life-changing certification programs, personal growth, and professional development resources. Leeanne Agonos is a student at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. She was awarded the Phoebe Omlie Scholarship, presented by Aviation Workforce Solutions. According to her references, she has a passion for aviation maintenance and has become an instant standout student. She is a well-rounded student who showed up and engaged during the team trials and was ultimately selected to attend the competition based on her performance and team skills. Mackenzie Ek is a student at MIAT College of Technology and was awarded the Phoebe Omlie Scholarship, presented by Aviation Workforce Solutions. Her lifelong fascination with aviation, nurtured by her stepfather’s role as an airline mechanic at United, has guided her career aspirations to join the aviation industry. Joseph Pardo is a student at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance. He was awarded the Jim and Alice Rice FAA Test Fees Grant provided by AMXAA. His references stated that his commitment to service and community engagement is truly remarkable. He actively volunteers his time and skills to various charitable organizations, demonstrating his deep sense of empathy and compassion for those in need. Jonathan Hutchinson is a student at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. He was awarded the Jim and Alice Rice FAA Test Fees Grant provided by AMXAA. He aims to champion safety standards by promoting a culture of continuous improvement and vigilance within the industry. Kenny Taylor is a student at Helena College. He was awarded the Jim and Alice Rice FAA Test Fees Grant provided by AMXAA. During his tenure at Jet Aviation Bozeman he discovered a passion for the aviation industry. His references said his passion for continuous learning and professional development sets him apart from his peers. He is always eager to expand his knowledge and improve his skills, and his commitment to staying updated with new safety measures. Colin Crader is a student at Greenville Technical College. He was awarded the Jim and Alice Rice FAA Test Fees Grant provided by AMXAA. He is enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science degree program in Aircraft Maintenance Technology and his career goals include earning FAA aircraft and powerplant ratings and building his own aircraft repair business. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA and his references said he is one of their top students in the program. Ryder Kutgen is a student at Lake Area Technical College. He was awarded the Jim and Alice Rice FAA Test Fees Grant. His goal is to combine his passion for aviation and maintenance, ultimately becoming an agricultural pilot and working on his own aircraft. His references state that his attention to detail and determination have helped him excel at all he has attempted and that his enthusiasm for aviation is evident in all that he does. The scholarship is supported through the generous contributions of AMC sponsors. To donate to the 2025 program, please email team@aerospacecompetition.com. Applications for next year's award will open this fall. For more information, please visit www.aerospacecompetition.com/scholarship.
0 Comments
After the biggest turnout yet with 90 teams taking on 27 events, Southwest Airlines - Team Herb, topped them all to capture the William F. “Bill” O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance two weeks ago at The Competition Presented by Snap-on in Chicago Photo identification (left to right): Roy Luna, Matt Lehner, Kevin Shaw, Chase Lehner, Dave Swisher, Chris Grover, Chad Rhyne, Joe Chwan, Director of Worldwide Aerospace, Snap-on Industria “When Ken (MacTiernan) called our team, all the hard work, blood, sweat and sacrifices we put into this effort really paid off,” said Chad Rhyne, coach of Southwest Airlines - Team Herb. “I want to thank Southwest’s upper management team, which is so supportive and willing to stand behind us all the way. I also want to thank our fellow competitors who continue pushing us to be better. It’s competitive, but everyone is here to support each other. I got as many high-fives from other teams as I did from my own.” The crowning of Southwest Airlines – Team Herb, named after its founder Herb Kelleher, and one of two teams from Southwest in the field, capped off two days of excitement at The Competition, an aviation maintenance skills competition held at the MRO Americas convention last week in Chicago. As winners of the O’Brien Award, Rhyne and his team including David Swisher, Matt Lehner, Chase Lehner, Kevin Shaw, Chris Grover and alternate Roy Luna, have the honor of taking the five-foot tall traveling trophy with them back to their headquarters at Love Field in Dallas for the year. The trophy features a bust of Charles E. Taylor, an aviation pioneer who built and maintained the first aircraft engine used by the Wright Brothers. Sponsorship of the Award is part of Snap-on’s continued commitment to The Competition and aviation maintenance technicians around the world. “We were thrilled to see such a great turnout and incredible demonstration of skills,” said Bill Willetts, Vice President of Snap-on Industrial and Aerospace Maintenance Council board member. “Every year, myself and the thousands of Snap-on team members worldwide are impressed with how these technicians continue to raise the bar. Congratulations to Southwest Airlines - Team Herb on your hard-fought victory and to the 89 other teams who came out to Chicago. The aviation industry is in great hands.” Another historic moment at this year’s Competition was the first all-female team announced as a finalist for the O’Brien Award. United Airlines Team Chix Fix originally formed in 2018 and has been a mainstay at The Competition ever since. However, it was revealed shortly before the convention that this would be the last year for the Chix. “We came here to prove that women had a place in the aviation industry,” said Katrina Oyer of Team Chix Fix. “When we started there were only one or two other female teams, and now there are nearly 10 in this year’s field, including the first all-female military team. Our mission has been accomplished, and it’s time to move on.” The Competition Presented by Snap-on and hosted by the Aerospace Maintenance Council (www.aerospacecompetition.com), gives teams of licensed AMTs, AMEs, international military personnel and qualified aviation maintenance students the chance to test their aviation maintenance skills against those of their peers. The competition included 27 challenges in areas such as avionics; safety wiring; fiber optics/flight control rigging; hydraulics; jet engine troubleshooting; workplace safety SMS; and other tasks. Teams had 15 minutes to accurately complete each task; teams that finished their tasks up to safety standards in less than the allotted time received higher scores with points deducted for any errors. “There has been a lot of attention on aircraft maintenance lately,” said Ken MacTiernan, Chairman of The Competition. “This year more than ever, our hope was to shine a light on the professionalism of the people in this field. Don’t let the fast pace of the timed events fool you. Precision is the name of the game, both at the event and in the field, and perfection is the minimum standard.” Major Category Winners William O’Brien Award
For a full list of winners, visit Previous Competitions. In addition to the William F. “Bill” O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance, Snap-on provided all the tools and equipment used by the participants during The Competition and donated more than $140,000 in tools and equipment prizes to top finishers. More than 50 other companies, educational institutions, community organizers and countless individual volunteers contributed time, resources, prizes, product, and airline miles to make The Competition a success. Other top sponsors include American Airlines and Pratt & Whitney® (Platinum); United Airlines, Teamsters and PPG (Gold). About Snap-on Industrial Snap-on Industrial is a division of Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users. Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture, aviation and natural resources. Products and services are sold through the company’s franchisee, company-direct, distribution and Web-based channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $4.7 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin. About Aerospace Maintenance Council The Aerospace Maintenance Council is a non-profit organization that promotes and supports the aviation maintenance profession. The council’s flagstone event, The Competition, recognizes and celebrates the aviation maintenance technician, and raises awareness of the knowledge and skill required to maintain safe, airworthy aircraft, worldwide. |
Contribute!This page is a venue to share ways we are supporting aviation technician education, and other good feeling stuff! Share your story. Archives
April 2024
Categories |