Student Awarded $2,000 Scholarship From Aviation Trade Group
Published 03.24.2011
A junior in Pennsylvania College of Technology's four-year aviation maintenance technology major has been awarded a $2,000 scholarship from the Aircraft Electronics Association.
Terrence A. Heim, of Malvern, on track to graduate in May 2012 from the college's School of Transportation Technology, will receive the Garmin Scholarship during the 2011-12 academic year. In order to qualify for the award, part of more than $100,000 in scholarships announced by the AEA Educational Foundation, he had to complete a brief essay in competition with candidates from around the world.
Heim's submission noted that new technology in the industry glass cockpits and turbine engines among the more prevalent measures to improve aircraft safety and efficiency is becoming more dominant in the career field of avionics and aviation maintenance.
"However, there is still a large percentage of (aircraft) flying and being maintained that rely on older technology and, therefore, it is important for the modern aviation technician to be proficient in both new and old," he wrote. "As time progresses, many aircraft with older systems and technology will be upgraded and replaced with new systems. The aircraft technician must be willing and able to adapt to these changes.
"The technician needs to be the safest, hardest-working employee in order to maintain and/or gain employment."
Heim earned his Federal Aviation Administration Airframe and Powerplant license, works part time at the DeGol Jet Center in the Williamsport Regional Airport complex, and is a student pilot.
Founded in 1990, the AEA Educational Foundation's charter is to enhance, promote and secure the future of aviation and the Aircraft Electronics Association by furthering the education of students, technicians and its members. To that end, the foundation has awarded nearly $1 million to students seeking careers in the aircraft electronics and aviation maintenance industry.
For more about the School of Transportation Technology at Penn College, visit online or call 570-327-4516.
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Photo by Thomas D. Inman, associate professor of aviation