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 studentÕs 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 ÒapprenticeshipsÓ
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 School 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 programÕs 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 Òfive-semesterÓ 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.
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