News By, For, and About Aircraft Mechanics

November 29, 2007

Technology Program Explores Aircraft Mechanics

When most students are sleeping in, some from area schools are busy learning the art of welding on Saturday mornings.

Because of a grant from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, a class of eight students from Falconer, Southwestern, Chautauqua Lake and Frewsburg schools have been learning introductory welding and welding safety at the Manufacturing Technology Institute at Jamestown Community College. Instructed by Ron Ciura, a licensed aircraft and power plant mechanic and adjunct JCC professor, the course is part of a class exploring aircraft mechanics which has been ongoing for 15 years.

"We don't want to limit it to aircraft," said Joe Minarovich, program coordinator. "Some of the things we're doing ... a student might not want to go to get all the different disciplines fulfilled because they might like something they're on right now and might not want to spend the time or money doing it."

Other activities the students participate in include working on engines and with sheet metal, structural materials and electricity. Participants also learn how to trouble-shoot problems which may arise. Minarovich said what the students learn now could be easily transferred to other occupations.

"So if someone decides to step aside from our program effort of aircraft, we don't fight it," he said. "It could lead to somebody finding what they learned about themselves and go for local employment."

According to Rick Rupprecht, JCC aviation coordinator, the program is the result of Minarovich's passion for aircraft.

"Joe has been working with a student aviation mechanics program for a long period of time," he said, "and he's been putting little workshops out there in the local high schools for students to participate in."

Minarovich said it is beneficial for students to learn about welding because of the many uses it could have in real life. School officials are also currently looking at expanding the program and offering it to more students.

"We're at it, we're growing and we've added a new element to it," Minarovich said. "It's moving forward."

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