Aviation - Instructors and Instructional Program Manager

Instructors and Instructional Program Manager

John Carmen, Airframe and Powerplant Instructor

John Carmen – Professor of Avionics

Mr. Carmen is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Aeronautical Science. After a tour in the Air Force working as an aircraft mechanic, he worked for another ten years with a crop duster company, an FBO on Cessna’s and Pipers and lastly on Boeing 727’s with an air carrier. He was employed for a few years as a mathematics instructor for a community college and as high school teacher teaching aviation maintenance. He holds a Private Pilots, Federal Communication Commission, and Airframe and Powerplant license.

David Dagenais, Powerplant Program Coordinator

David Dagenais – Interim Program Manager, FAA Certified A&P School

Mr. Dagenais is a graduate of Southern Illinois University (B. S. in Aviation Management) and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Master of Aeronautical Science in Aviation Management). Prior to joining FCCJ, Mr. Dagenais was the Airport Manager at the DeSoto Parish Airport in Mansfield, LA. He also taught at an A&P school at Southern University in Shreveport, LA. He is retired from the U.S. Navy with experience maintaining A7 aircraft and the P-3 aircraft as a Flight Engineer. He also served at the local Naval Rework Facility in the area of Pneudraulics repair and a Quality Assurance Specialist. Mr. Dagenais received an A&P Mechanic certification after completing school at Cochise College and holds the following FAA certifications: Inspection Authorization, Commercial Pilot – Single and Multi-Engine, Certified Flight Instructor and Designated Mechanic Examiner.

John Mayes – Professor of Aviation Maintenance Technology

Mr. Mayes served in the U.S. Navy as an Aircraft Mechanic and a P-3 Flight Engineer. After graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a B.S. degree, his first job was a B727 Flight Engineer and Aviation Technician at a 121 scheduled passenger airline and promoted to Chief Flight Engineer and Check Airman Instructor. He then worked for Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation as an Aviation Technician in the Flight Operation Department in Savannah, Ga. and completed his Commercial SEL, MEL, Instrument and Flight Instructor Certificates and worked for Capital Cargo International Airlines 121 scheduled cargo operations. He joined the ACE in October 2002.

Mark Peeples, Professor Aviation Maintenance Technology

Mark Peeples – Professor of Aviation Maintenance Technology

Mr. Peeples served in the U.S. Navy for 24 years and trained as a Turbine Engine Mechanic and P3 Flight Engineer. After retirement from the Navy, he was employed by Raytheon Aerospace in Dallas, Texas, as a line mechanic. He relocated to Jacksonville and worked at the Naval Air Station-Naval Aviation Depot repairing flight controls on the P3 Orion. He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a B.S. in Aeronautics and a minor in Business Administration. He is currently working on his master’s degree.

Chris Vandiver – Professor of Aviation Maintenance Technology

Mr. Vandiver is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with an Associate’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology. He began his aviation career working at an FBO for two years at Jacksonville International Airport. For the past 17 years, he has worked for Piedmont Airlines/US Airways Express as an aircraft mechanic on the deHavilland Dash 8 100/200/300 series aircraft. During this time, he performed shop duties, line maintenance, field service, RON over night maintenance, and he acted as a lead mechanic on heavy check aircraft inspections. Mr. Vandiver holds an FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Certificate.