Avionics News August 2012 - 26

ABOVE LEFT: Troy Ellison, repair station general manager, checks data on an inventoried item. ABOVE RIGHT: Texas State Technical College’s Part 145 repair station holds Class 1 and 2 radio ratings as well as a limited radio rating that covers transponders and DMEs.

TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE
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“They get to witness FAA inspections of the facility. They also get the opportunity to develop confidence in their own ability to repair avionics equipment. They are no longer treated like students, but instead are treated like employees. We stress that this is their first job as an avionics technician.” The school uses revenue generated by the repair station to fund scholarships, pay student workers and support training costs. Taking Over Terra, Airwich Avionics In April 2011, Texas State Technical College’s avionics repair station assumed operations of Airwich Avionics, a Wichita, Kan., company that had been in business for 40 years, providing sales and service for ARC/Cessna avionics. In 2009, TSTC signed an agreement with FreeFlight Systems granting the school the right to manufacture Terra products minus radar altimeters and GPS. College officials have not yet made a decision to ramp up manufacturing. “We perform repairs on all brands of avionics equipment,” Ellison said. “Terra products account for approximately 35 percent of our work orders. The Cessna products that are part of the Airwich legacy account for another 40 percent. About 10 percent
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of our work orders are Bendix/King units. The remaining 15 percent is split between Narco, Collins, S-TEC and other brands.” Partnering with Companies, Repair Stations The college’s repair station does more than troubleshoot and repair radios. The students receive hands-on experience with research and development activities for avionics manufacturers, large technology companies and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Recent projects include working with Science Applications International Corp., a Fortune 500 company, developing and prototyping an avionics product currently flying in a NASA T-38 aircraft, and building an automated test station used by NASA personnel to test the product. “We have performed numerous industrial training courses in the areas of soldering and wire harness construction for avionics companies, such as L-3, FreeFlight Systems and S-TEC/ Cobham,” Ellison said. The facility also provides services direct to other repair stations, helping give students broader avionics training. “We are open to any opportunities to provide support to existing repair facilities,” Ellison said. “We can provide a trained graduate, offer contract maintenance, handle R and D activities, and more. If there is any type of support you need for your operation, please don’t hesitate to contact us.”

In addition to avionics, students in the aviation program can also pursue studies in aviation maintenance, air traffic control, aircraft dispatch and aircraft pilot training. The air traffic control collegiate training initiative program at Texas State Technical College is one of just 36 in the nation approved to teach FAA air traffic basics. The school’s new Aerospace Center houses the program’s state-of-the-art air traffic control simulators as well as a full-motion flight simulator, a static single-engine simulator and a static multi-engine simulator for the aircraft pilot training program. TSTC continues to look for ways to enhance the learning environment for the next generation of aviation professionals. “I would like to appeal to all of the avionics repair stations out there that have surplus and/or unwanted inventory of radios and repair pieceparts,” Ellison said. “Please consider donating them to the college. It’s tax deductible, and it helps aid in the training of future technicians. “Another way you can support the college, especially if you’re a facility in Texas, is to consider sending one radio a year to our facility for repair. This will help expose our students to a larger variety of equipment and problems. The next time you get an older radio from a customer and aren’t sure you want to attempt a repair, consider sending it to us.” q

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2012

Avionics News August 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News August 2012