FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2003
Contact: Michael Corby
904.632.3310

Florida Community College Aviation Center of Excellence to graduate first A&P class
Students walking out of graduation ceremony into waiting jobs

What:	Inaugural Airframe and Powerplant Certificate Program Graduation
When:	Thursday, August 21 at 10:30 a.m.
Where:	Florida Community College Aviation Center of Excellence Aviation Hangar 13510 Aerospace Way (Cecil Commerce Center)
Details:	The Aviation Center of Excellence, which opened in January 2002, was created in response to regional and statewide industry needs. Thirteen students are graduating from the Airframe and Powerplant Certificate program, the first graduating class from the new Aviation Center of Excellence. Eleven are employed by NADEP; one is employed by a private company; one is a pilot with his own plane, and is changing careers to aviation. There are 12 men and one woman. The twenty-month-long program has, in addition to certification by the Federal Aviation Administration, prepared these students for entry-level positions in the aviation industry as A&P technicians. They are certified to work on the “skins” or body of aircraft, as well as the engines and turbines. The students’ hands-on training used helicopters, private aircraft and commercial and military jets. A reception will follow the ceremony.