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The History of Aviation Maintenance Technology / Aeronautical Technology
Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) began in 1954 with eight students and one full-time instructor. The program was a two-year program designed to prepare students to receive the Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics certificate given by the Civil Aviation Administration. General education courses in mathematics, physics, english composition, and speech communications were also included. Initially most of the student's lab work took place in the maintenance facilities of Purdue Aeronautics Corporation (PAC) working on DC-3 aircraft. Second year students would spend half of every day working on these aircraft during their last two semesters. As the program developed, and staff was added, specialized educational courses and laboratories were added. By the fall of 1960 the PAC "apprenticeships" were reduced to one semester. Also by the fall of 1960 all of the general education courses had been incorporated into the standard university courses. Students graduating in the spring of 1962 received an Associate degree. In 1962 there were approximately 110 students enrolled in AMT with 7 full time faculty teaching the courses.
Very little curriculum change took place during the 1962 to 1975 period, except for one additional course to fill the gap left by the closing of Purdue Aeronautics. The major emphasis during this period was the development of BS degree opportunities for graduates. This was enhanced by the formation of the College of Technology and 2 + 2 programs were established with Mechanical Engineering Technology, Industrial Education, and Industrial Supervision (now Organizational Leadership and Supervision). Although successful programs were established in all three areas, Supervision offered more flexibility and was the path chosen by most students.
In 1970 the FAA placed in effect FAR 147 requiring all schools to go through a recertification process by May 1972. The new regulation also required a 27% increase in curriculum hours. Complying with the new standards, maintaining the general education content of the curriculum, and staying within a four-semester structure presented a formidable challenge. This challenge was met using innovative educational techniques and working with the FAA to show that such methods did indeed meet the standards. As a result of this activity a very good working relationship was developed with the FAA, a relationship which continues today.
Although meeting the federal standards, it was apparent by 1975 that the program's technical content was not keeping pace with industry. After considerable study, the technical side of the curriculum was expanded. Under the revised curriculum the student would receive only one rating (A or P) and an Associate Degree after four semesters. To receive the second rating required a fifth semester. The "five-semester" program was successful in preparing students as an A&P mechanic but created difficulties for those wishing to pursue a BS degree via a 2 + 2 option. Since the majority of the students desired a BS, the decision was made, in 1977, to create a 2 + 2 program within the Department of Aviation Technology for AMT students.
The initial offering consisted of the five-semester A&P plus three additional semesters of general education with a choice of 12 credits in a specialty area. The students still completed the mechanics courses in five semesters and there were no advanced aviation technical courses. During the 1980s, advanced technical courses were developed in areas such as avionics, composites, and non-destructive testing. The faculty also took advantage of the last three semesters to develop coursework in areas such as structures, systems, and turbine engines that significantly exceeded the minimum standards of the FAA. As these courses developed the completion of the A&P requirements slipped into the seventh or eighth semester. Although technically still a 2 + 2 program, AMT had become for all practical purposes an integral part of a four year BS degree granting curriculum. To better identify the nature of the curriculum the program was renamed as Aeronautical Technology in 1989.
As the reputation of the program spread, graduates of other 2-year A&P programs seeking advanced coursework and the BS degree showed considerable interest. A transfer program was developed in which the students received credit for most of their A&P work. Purdue courses that significantly exceeded FAA requirements are required to be taken by the transfer student. Depending upon the academic courses taken at their previous school, many transfer students were able to complete the BS degree in four semesters. This program is available at the West Lafayette campus and provides the basis for the Aeronautical Technology program at the Indianapolis Statewide site.
Aeronautical Technology currently has the capacity for 325 students and has 15 full-time faculty teaching AOT courses on the West Lafayette campus and 3 full-time staff at the Indianapolis site.