Bombardier Debuts A&P Cert Training Pathway

WINDSOR LOCKS, Connecticut—Bombardier has launched an accelerated training program here designed to help aircraft maintenance technicians obtain FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification.

During a May 13 ceremony at its Hartford Service Center at Bradley International Airport (BDL), Bombardier introduced the first cohort of 11 trainees to participate in its FastTrack workforce development initiative. The six-week program enables candidates with a minimum of 18 months of industry experience in either airframe or powerplant disciplines—or 30 months of combined experience—to pursue FAA Part 65 certification as A&P mechanics.

Graduating from an FAA Part 147-approved aviation maintenance technician school can take up to two years for students without prior experience.

Bombardier developed FastTrack with the Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) and brought it to Connecticut through a collaboration with CT Aero Tech, part of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS). The manufacturer plans to replicate the program in other Bombardier service locations across the U.S.

“CTECS operates only two FAA-authorized aviation maintenance programs—CT Aero Tech in Hartford and the Stratford School for Aviation Maintenance Technicians,” CTECS Executive Director Alice Pritchard said, addressing an audience including state and local officials assembled in Bombardier’s demonstration aircraft hangar at BDL.

“Together, these programs serve about 100 students annually, and both programs are fully at capacity,” Pritchard said. “Even at capacity, we know the demand for aviation maintenance technicians far exceeds the number of students we can currently prepare through our traditional programming alone. That is exactly why this program and partnership are so valuable. Connecticut’s aviation and aerospace industries continue to grow and employers across our state are facing an urgent need for skilled technicians.”

Dustin Wilder, a U.S. Air Force veteran and now a component repair and overhaul supervisor, came to Bombardier through its SkillBridge program, a Department of Defense-authorized transition training program for members of the military in Wichita. He is now pursuing A&P certification as a FastTrack student.

Eight of the first 11 FastTrack students are veterans, Wilder said.

“We know retaining good mechanics is hard when the market is growing and there are better opportunities in other places,” Wilder said. Pointing to the other students, he added, “If we take our time to invest in these gentlemen over there, hopefully they’re going to stick around.”