Penn College Student Among State's First Avionics Technicians

A junior in Pennsylvania College of Technology's four-year aviation maintenance technology major is the first college student in the commonwealth to be certified as an Aircraft Electronics Technician.

Marc D. Martin, of Palmyra, recently achieved certification through the National Center for Aircraft Technician Training, which administers the computer-based examination through a nationwide network of testing centers. According to NCATT, Martin is one of just 125 technicians nationwide and only the third to be certified in Pennsylvania. The others are an Air Force enlistee and Thomas D. Inman, an associate professor of avionics at Penn College.

"With this certification, Marc's employability and earning potential have been enhanced," Inman said. "Some employers that install and service avionics are advertising for NCATT-certified avionics technicians. Each year, NCATT expects more employers to add this requirement for entry-level avionics technicians."

Penn College is among five colleges that received a $500,000 National Science Foundation grant in May 2005 to develop standards, curriculum and certification for aircraft electronics technicians. Inman serves as the electronic-media chair for NCATT and was a subject-matter expert during development of the AET standards.

For more information about avionics and other academic majors offered by the college's School of Transportation Technology, call (570) 327-4516, send e-mail or visit online .