CGTC Aviation Maintenance Technology Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary

March 27, 2018


Warner Robins, Ga. – Central Georgia Technical College’s (CGTC) Aviation Maintenance Technology (AVMT) program reached a new milestone this month. The program, whose graduates have formed a steady pipeline of employment for Robins Air Force Base, celebrates its twentieth year.

The AVMT program migrated from its origins at the former Corder Road location of Middle Georgia Technical College (MGTC) in Warner Robins prior to its merger with CGTC. Former program chair, Jim Lane, procured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for FAA Part 147 AVMT School on March 25, 1998.

“Since that time, several thousand students have passed through our AVMT classrooms and hallways on their way to achieving successful careers in aviation and aerospace fields,” said Shane Waldon, CGTC’s division head for Aerospace and Transportation.

“I often hear from former students that have traveled the globe or have reached management levels in civilian or military aviation and aerospace occupations, all due to the education each received here. I’m very proud to be part of an educational legacy that imparts a positive impact on students’ lives and prosperity and has a global reach in aviation.”

Waldon said the legacy of the program includes former MGTC and CGTC students who currently manage three FAA Part 147 AVMT schools in Georgia, with a total of five former students having been in that role at some point in their career.

Added to the legacy of the program are the relationships it has formed with some of the state’s most crucial aviation employers. Delta Air Lines is working with the College to create a talent pool from which to select new employees to fulfill hiring needs across its spectrum of operations, and the established pipeline of CGTC graduates earning employment with Robins AFB, as well as, a mutually beneficial relationship with the Museum of Aviation, provide students opportunities to assist in the restoration of historical aircrafts.

Cooperative agreements with aviation industry leaders including, EPPS Aviation at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport, TIMCO/HAECO in Macon, and Gulfstream in Savannah have provided students work opportunities while also attending college.

“The community in which we’re located heavily influences the steady influx of students wanting to enter the aviation industry,” Waldon said. “We have RAFB at our front step offering multiple areas for aircraft maintenance work; however, we also have students seeking opportunities in the corporate aircraft and commercial airline arenas beyond our CGTC service area.”

“Maintaining relationships with aviation and aerospace industry provides a meeting point for students and employers to discover each other while also providing our AVMT program the opportunity to work with industry toward maintaining training standards to meet industry needs.”

For more information on the Aviation Maintenance Technology program, contact Shane Waldon at swaldon@centralgatech.edu or visit, http://www.centralgatech.edu/programs-of-study/aerospace-trade-industry/amt/

Students work on aircrafts at CGTC’s Warner Robins Campus. The Aviation Maintenance Technology program reached its 20th Anniversary in March.

Students work on aircrafts at CGTC’s Warner Robins Campus. The Aviation Maintenance Technology program reached its 20th Anniversary in March.