Pierpont’s New A&P School Awaiting Final Details

Pierpont Community & Technical College in Fairmont, West Virginia, is planning to break ground on its new school to train aircraft airframe and powerplant maintenance technicians.

A year ago, the school’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program received a $25 million supplemental appropriation during a special session of the state legislature to build the facility. The training facility will be built on the North Central West Virginia Airport (KCKB) in Clarksburg, about 12 miles south of the school. The planned 70,000 square foot facility will allow the program to expand to 200 students from its current enrollment of 130. The facility will feature two hangars, aviation-related specialty labs shops for turbine and piston engine overhauls, flight controls and hydraulics, classrooms, and a learning resource and testing center. The program will train students to be qualified to take the FAAA Part 147 exams for certification. A two-year associate degree and one-year certificate programs will also be offered that will cover basic maintenance, removal and replacement of components, and troubleshooting.

“What this new school is going to do is it’s going to bring us into the modern age of aviation, maintenance, and repairs,” Andy Lang, board member and Bridgeport Mayor, said. “We currently worldwide, not just here in West Virginia, have a complete shortage of A&P, mechanics and electronics.”

FMI:  www.pierpont.edu/