ANC gets big addition

What is 22 feet long, 8 feet wide, 9 1/2 feet tall and weights 14,000 lbs? Answer: the JT9D-7A turbine engine donated by AAR Corporation of Wood Dale, Ill., to Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville.

Employees of SRT in Blytheville help unload a 14,000 pound 747 airplane engine that was donated to Arkansas Northeastern College by the AAR Corporation. The engine will be used in the College's new aviation maintenance program beginning this fall. (photo provided) [Click to enlarge]

The JT9D-7A is the same engine used by commercial airliners worldwide on the Boeing 747 aircraft. Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC) has taken the first steps in becoming a certified Aviation Maintenance Technician school, having filed the pre-application with the local FAA offices, and placing the request with AAR Corporation to donate needed equipment.

AAR Corporation responded by offering a very generous donation of the JT9D-7A. ANC extends special thanks to Derek M. Sheedy, AAR marketing communications manager, Karen M. Nudelman, AAR contract administrator and, James Vincent, AAR vice president for helping to make this donation possible.

Once FAA 14 CFR 147 certification is approved for the school, this engine will help to provide students with hands-on training as part of the new AMT Program. Careers for licensed AMTs begin at the $17 to $20 per hour range. Blytheville's very own Aviation Repair Technologies (ART) uses the expertise of FAA licensed Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) to ensure that their clients' aircraft continue to fly high.

ANC is forming a student list for their planned AMT program because enrollment will be limited. Although FAA certification is not yet approved, students wishing to obtain the planned Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Maintenance at ANC can begin their new journey by enrolling in the required general education subjects in the Fall 2009 semester. Persons having an interest in the field of aviation maintenance or wishing to place their names on the student list for the upcoming program, may contact Kate Leal, aviation maintenance instructor at ANC at 838-2904 or kleal@anc.edu.