Propeller power. You don't need a jet engine to fly fast and high. Although it was in production for just eight years, the twin turboprop Cessna Conquest II is fast, comfortable, capable, versatile, and economical to operate. With two Honeywell TPE331-10N engines, this 1981 Conquest II can cruise at up to 311 knots at Flight Level 290.
WHAT: Cessna Conquest II
WHERE: Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
PHOTOGRAPHER: Chris Rose
All aboard
Training on an aircraft carrier
By David Tulis
The National Flight Academy’s aviation-themed learning environment at Florida’s Naval Air Station Pensacola allows students in grades 7 through 12 to live in staterooms, eat in mess halls, and practice aviation maneuvers on flight simulators while learning science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts in an accredited home-away-from-home camp environment.
This is a full-immersion program that combines STEM concepts with a virtual experience aboard an aircraft carrier: the closest thing to enlisting, without the four-year hitch. Aviation-themed experiences aboard the three-story-tall simulated, landlocked ship include six-day deployments, three-day cruises, and one-day adventures.
“It really is a gem,” academy spokesperson Malerie Shelton said. “Students feel the vibrations, hear different sounds like whistles and alerts, and even birds chirping as they walk up to board the ship.”
Shelton said the deployment experience “blends the culture and excitement of aviation with twenty-first-century technology and core competencies in an exclusive, entertaining, and engaging immersive environment.” The missions progressively become more challenging throughout the week as the young aviators advance their aviation, science, and communication skills.
Internships available
Wipaire announces opportunities, scholarships
By David Tulis
Up to four interns can get hands-on mechanical experience this summer at Wipaire through the St. Paul, Minnesota, float manufacturer and modifications company’s Gateway to Success A&P internship program.
For the third straight year, students pursuing a Part 147 airframe and powerplant maintenance certificate have the opportunity to work side by side with experienced Wipaire mechanics to gain real-world experience.
One of the company’s first interns, Max Holly, landed a full-time job at the facility following his graduation from A&P school. “Through the internship, I learned a lot that wasn’t covered in school,” Holly said. Wipaire said it was committed to hiring its interns for full-time work if there is an open position and if the intern shows proper qualifications.
“Our interns have continued to impress me and have proven the value of this internship program,” said Jason Erickson, Wipaire’s maintenance director. “This is precisely what we wanted to see.” Erickson said the company has a growing need for skilled technicians.
Interested applicants can apply through the company’s website (www.wipaire.com); a copy of the applicant’s transcript must be attached.
Additionally, Wipaire announced the return of its $1,500 Ben Wiplinger Memorial Seaplane Rating Scholarship, established in 2015 to celebrate Wipaire’s fifty-fifth anniversary and founder Ben Wiplinger’s contributions to aviation.
“The response to the scholarship last year was beyond our expectations,” Chuck Wiplinger, the founder’s grandson and company president, said. “We’re excited to bring the scholarship back for 2016.”
The Ben Wiplinger Memorial Seaplane Rating Scholarship application may be downloaded, and entries must be received by May 31.
Working on big iron
Mechanic internships with Delta give valuable experience
Two aviation maintenance students from San Diego Miramar College’s airframe and powerplant program are gaining valuable experience working on the big iron after learning their trade in a challenging five-semester program.
Tevin Nixon was the school’s first student to land a paid internship with Delta Air Lines at its San Diego facility, paving the way for Genevieve Cindrich, who is on the overnight shift at Delta while balancing schoolwork during the week.
“Tevin was my first crash test dummy,” said Lonny Bosselman, the aviation program director at Miramar College. “He’s a quiet guy but he has good skills, and Genevieve is one of those people absolutely passionate about aviation.”
“I’m working Saturday and Sunday on the graveyard shift because that’s pretty much when they do the heavy maintenance, at night,” Cindrich said. “It’s a great experience. All the guys I’ve worked with so far have been very generous. They allow us to do some hands-on, including lubing landing gear, servicing starters, checking oil, and doing some inspections.”
Both internships were pleasant surprises for Bosselman and Larry Pink, the chairman of the aviation program and an A&P mechanic with inspection authorization.
“Delta actually courted us,” Pink said. “They came to us because San Diego is a very expensive station for them and they were looking for people who already live here, because they felt local residents were more likely to stay.”
Pink said Miramar College’s FAA-certified aviation maintenance training program grew out of the San Diego Vocational School in 1956 and earned its Part 147 certificate in 1958.
“The faculty has expectations for the students and we hold them to high academic standards,” said Pink. “This program is not for the faint of heart. It is extremely challenging.” Pink, a pilot and a Van’s RV–7 aircraft builder, said the program has an attrition rate of about 50 percent.
Cindrich is building up her off-campus tool belt by helping restore warbirds at the Palm Springs Air Museum when she isn’t in class or under an aircraft at Delta.
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