Allan McNeil reported to his new job with CommutAir for training in September, just weeks after receiving his certification in Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) from Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC).
McNeil, a 2013 graduate of Averill Park High School, completed the two-year Aviation Maintenance program at Questar III’s Rensselaer Educational Center (REC) in Troy. A considerable amount of the course material covered in McNeil’s first semester at MVCC was a review of what he had studied in the Aviation Maintenance program at REC.
McNeil had originally registered for the Automotive Technologies program at REC, but decided to switch after attending an information session for the Aviation Maintenance program, which was new at that time.
Allan McNeil on the right.
“Learning about planes, being around them, the reason they fly, is very cool, and not many people get to see that side of aviation. I would 100 percent recommend the program at REC to other students. It gave me an idea of what I wanted to do, and kept me interested to learn,” said McNeil.
In addition to his new job, McNeil is taking classes at Hudson Valley Community College to complete his Associate’s Degree in Applied Science. He said he would like to eventually attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida to complete a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics.
According to Boeing, the commercial aviation industry will require 584,000 maintenance personnel over the next 20 years to accommodate the demand for new and replacement aircraft. Technicians work for a variety of employers, including major airlines, aerospace manufacturing, aircraft MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) companies, military and the Federal Aviation Administration.
For more information on the Aviation Maintenance program at the Rensselaer Educational Center.
