Students from GNTC’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program gather around one of two Cessna aircraft donated by Northrop Grumman Corporation.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College received a donation of two Cessna 400 Series aircraft from Northrop Grumman Corporation to be used for hands-on training at the Aviation Training Center.
The donation of the Cessna aircraft will further GNTC’s ability to prepare students for an exciting career in the field of Aviation Maintenance Technology or Avionics Maintenance Technology. The Aviation Training Center is located at the Richard B. Russell Regional Airport in Rome, Georgia about 10 miles from the Floyd County Campus of GNTC.
“The aircraft, aircraft parts, systems, and various aircraft components we have received through donations from Northrop Grumman will help tremendously with our instructional and training goals to prepare our graduates for a successful career in aviation maintenance at any level – from general aviation to commercial airlines,” said Jon Byrd, director of the Aviation Training Center. “GNTC's Aviation graduates will stand out and Northrop Grumman's generous donations and support will assist greatly in that mission.”
Both aircraft were highly modified to perform aerial mapping work using high-speed digital camera systems and laser equipment. They were capable of detailed topographic survey mapping.
The aircraft will be used to provide students with advanced skills in troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining aircrafts and aircraft electronics.
The Aviation Training Center is approximately 30,744 square feet with five classrooms and eight labs for Aviation Maintenance Technology and Avionics Maintenance Technology. The Center includes a large airframe lab, powerplant lab, five additional Federal Aviation Administration Curriculum labs, and a technical library/reference lab. The Aviation Training Center also houses a PSI/Lasergrade testing center that offers qualifying students certification and licensure testing for: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and The National Center for Aircraft Technical Training (NCATT).
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.