Bernard Gill

Winning an Uphill Battle

Bernard Gill
Completed Avionics Technician Certificate and Pursuing Aviation Maintenance Management Associate Degree
Florida Community College, Class of 2008

Bernard Gill was interested in aviation early on — and for good reason. “My mother was a single parent in the Air Force,“ he says. “I guess watching all those air shows on base sparked my interest.” But it wasn’t until he enlisted in the military himself that he considered it a potential career choice.

It was the Army, however, that offered him the chance to work on aircraft. Bernard worked on helicopters and it became his passion. He hoped to eventually become a pilot. But then tragedy struck — he started experiencing mysterious seizures. After nine successful years in the Army, Bernard received a medical discharge and was told he would never work on helicopters again, much less fly one. “Life got topsy-turvy after that,” he says.

Part of Bernard’s transition into civilian life included vocational rehabilitation. The military was happy to pay for training or school, but due to his seizures, his counselors refused to approve the aviation training he wanted. Enrolling at Florida Community College, Bernard reluctantly started taking classes in the “safer” area of Computer Aided Design (CAD).

But a desk job was not the future he had in mind. Bernard was determined to find a way back into aviation. After much research and convincing argument, he found a counselor willing to help him. The counselor suggested avionics, one of several certificate programs offered at FCCJ’s Cecil Center South (ACE). Avionics refers to the electronic component of aircraft and such a job would allow him to work safely.

Bernard enrolled in both the Avionics Technician certificate program and the Aviation Maintenance Management associate degree program. The certificate program quickly trained him in specific skills while he pursues his associate degree. He’s enthusiastic about his experience at the Aviation Center, especially the staff. “From (Center Director) J.B. Renninger down to the security staff. They all played a role in my success in this program,” he says.

Bernard completed the Avionics program in May. Thanks to the partnership FCCJ has with local employers, he was immediately hired by Flightstar Aviation Services. Meanwhile, he continues to pursue his associate degree and plans to finish by the end of 2007. He’s considering applying to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University someday to pursue a bachelor’s degree; it’s the same university his mother graduated from.

Ultimately, however, Bernard wants to continue pursuing his true passion — flying helicopters. Point out that he was told he’d never fly and he’ll remind you that he was also told he’d never work on aircraft again. “It was an uphill battle,” Bernard says. “But I won.” With determination like that, never say never.

To see other students and faculty members that have been featured on the College’s home page, visit our Spotlight archive.