Introduction to Maintenance Practices introduces the student to the use of basic hand tools, precision measurements, identification and properties of aviation materials, non destructive testing, corrosion control and ground operations of aircraft.  Lab projects include: building and testing pressure fluid lines; dye penetrant, eddy current, ultra sound and magnetic particle non destructive inspection techniques; aircraft hardware installation and safety methods; inspection of welds; and the use of micrometers, bore gauges, dial indicators.  Students will also learn to start, run and taxi a Cessna 172, and ground handling procedures.

This primarily lecture course acquaints the AMT student with maintenance publications, aircraft drawings, and maintenance forms and records used by the AMT in the servicing, inspecting and repair of aircraft.  The course covers the Federal Aviation Regulations and Federal Aviation Administration publications as well as the service manuals published by manufacturers of aircraft and aircraft components.  The Federal Aviation Regulations pertaining to the privileges of the Mechanic’s Certificate and its limitations and pertaining to the certification standards for aircraft are studied.  Using maintenance publications and standard forms, the student will weigh an aircraft, determine its center of gravity, compare the center of gravity under different loading conditions to various aircraft certification requirements, and make the appropriate record entries. 

Airframe structures is the study of aircraft wood, metal and fabric construction used primarily in older aircraft.  Inspection and repair techniques of these structures will be covered in the classroom and lab.  Assembling, rigging and balancing of control surfaces will be studied in both modern and older fixed wing aircraft.  Helicopter rigging theory is also included.  Lab projects will include: Gas and electric welding, applying aircraft finishes; assembling and rigging of flight controls on a fixed wing aircraft.

This course involves the study of sheet metal structures, including the construction of modern aircraft, the properties of aluminum alloys used in the structural components of aircraft, inspection of aluminum structural elements, etc.  This course emphasizes hands-on shop projects including installation and removal of conventional rivets, special rivets and special fasteners.  Students will lay out and form parts from aluminum alloy sheet, and repair damaged structural components.

VA 206 - Airframe Systems II

In this second course in the Airframe Systems sequence, hydraulic theory, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, hydraulic system position and warning systems, brake and ground steering systems, and landing gear systems.  Students will learn to identify hydraulic fluids, inspect, service, troubleshoot and repair such systems.  Inspection, repair and servicing of various landing gear assemblies and components such as wheels, tires and brakes will be covered in detail.  Lab projects include: removal and installation of main and nose landing gear wheels and brake assemblies; servicing and leak checking hydraulic and pneumatic systems; inspection and repair of landing gear actuators and servicing of shock struts. The student will also perform a retraction and extension check of an aircraft doing an operational check of the position and warning system.

The theory, construction, troubleshooting and repair of horizontally opposed and rotary aircraft reciprocating engines will be the subjects of lectures and laboratory projects.  Student teams will remove, overhaul, make appropriate engine log book entries,  re-install and operate a six cylinder horizontally opposed engine. Each student will determine whether each part meets the manufacturer’s service limits, whether all applicable Airworthiness Directives have been complied with, etc.