AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2020 - 95

Earning an LSRM
certificate also
enables someone to
start making money
as a mechanic after
just three weeks of
training.

COURSE PARTICIPANT Fay Taylor begins the first steps of checking an aircraft engine's

timing, part of the hands-on training in Blue Ridge's light sport repairman course.

approach to some of aviation's mechanical basics. "Before this course, I knew
very little about mechanics, engineering,
and everything that goes into making and
keeping an airplane flying. I took it all for
granted. But now, I can visualize the processes so much easier than I could have
ever on my own."

CHRISTOPHER L. FREEZE

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Dyen cites the growing need for mechanic
and technicians of all sorts. "Aviation
mechanics are highly sought outside of our
industry because of the excellent training
that comes with working on aircraft. Today,
A&Ps are being hired by automobile manufacturers, elevator servicing companies,
and even Nascar teams."
Earning an LSRM certificate also
enables someone to start making money as
a mechanic after just three weeks of training. Jason Ploen, a retired U.S. Army officer
and private pilot from Maryland, said, "My
flight school at Bay Bridge Airport has
just set up a maintenance shop. Literally
the day I get home after completing this
course, I will be in the shop-putting my

new skills to use by helping with a 100hour inspection on an RV-12."
But one of the secrets of the LSRM
certificate is the power of its portability.
Unlike a standard repairman certificate
which is connected to employment with
an FAA-certificated repair station, commercial operator, or air carrier, the LSRM
is tied directly to the certificate holder.
This means that, after working in the
field for 30 months under his or her own
supervision, an LSRM holder is qualified
to take the A&P testing and add that certificate as a rating without ever attending
an A&P school.
Mike Zidziunas was the first LSRM in
the country to earn his A&P under this rule
in 2009. He saw the potential in light sport
aircraft and enrolled in one of the first
LSRM courses offered. He has gone on to
leverage the opportunities the certificate
presents, opening a Rotax service center,
working with manufacturers assembling
LSA aircraft, and continuing his training
by earning an inspection authorization.
Jake Sikes, a U.S. Army veteran and
private pilot from Georgia, hopes to

follow in Zidziunas' footsteps. "This certificate offers a guy like me, who doesn't
have a lot of time, a great way to get into
working on airplanes, save money, and
even start a business servicing other LSA
aircraft. At the very least, I can save a lot
on maintenance by doing my own work
and inspections on my plane."
In addition to the FAA LSRM certificate, participants are also able to test for
additional technical certifications from
Michelin and Snap-On, and get student
discounts on major tool purchases from
Snap-On, Matco, and Proto. The college
also offers a career studies certificate to
qualified students, meaning it is eligible
for VA educational benefit use.
A distance-learning option for the
A&P course recently was approved, and
Dyen said he hopes to offer a distancelearning option for the LSRM course.
LSRM students would take the lectures
online at their leisure from home, and do
the required mechanical tasks on site for
a few days, perhaps a couple of weekends.
For A&P candidates, it would be longer.
Mike Okasinski, a mental health professional and private pilot from Ohio, strongly
recommended the training to anyone, saying, "Even if someone has no interests in
turning a wrench themselves, the curriculum covers a wide breadth of content that
makes anyone with a passion for aviation
more knowledgeable and helpful for things
like an owner-assisted inspection or just
buying an airplane."
AOPA
CHRISTOPHER L. FREEZE is a commercial

pilot, flight instructor, and writer living in
the Washington, D.C., area.

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AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2020

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