Studer Community Institute

Navy jet put to good use at George Stone

October 22, 2014
/ Staff Reports
/ education

One of the last T-39 Sabreliner jets to fly at Pensacola Naval Air Station will aid in training of students at George Stone Technical Center. Instead of being flown to “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and languishing in the Arizona desert, the airplane will become part of the new Aviation Maintenance Program at George Stone. “We are ecstatic about our partnership with the Navy and are very excited to get this jet,” said Principal T. J. Rollins. “It was flying just a few months ago training Navy navigators, so it’s a fully capable airplane for our new students to practice on as they work toward their certifications and licenses from the Federal Aviation Administration.” The Navy-George Stone partnership developed through a chance meeting with the Steve Harrell, Escambia County School District’s curriculum coordinator for Workforce Education, and a maintenance technician working at Pensacola Naval Air Station. “When I found out he worked on airplanes at the base, I mentioned that we were starting a new Aviation Maintenance Program at George Stone,” said Harrell. “He mentioned that they were retiring all of the T-39s and that I should ask the Navy if we could have one for our new program.” John Appicelli, assistant officer in charge for the Chief of Naval Air Training detachment at NAS, helped turn the suggestion into reality. "It took a lot of coordination between the Navy and government agencies, but we thought it was a great idea and would be well worth the effort," said Appicelli. "We started the process in February and it took until now to work out all the details, including moving the jet to the school." Whisler Aviation in Seward, Neb., handled the transport of the T-39 to George Stone. The wing and fuselage were separated at NAS, trucked to George Stone and reassembled at the school on Monday, with the help of Deep South Crane Service. “The aircraft industry definitely needs qualified Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics as there is a shortage of A&Ps across America,” said Greg Whisler, president of Whisler Aviation. “In addition to transporting planes, we also have a repair facility that maintains aircraft, and we are always in need of certified A&P mechanics.” The George Stone Aviation Maintenance Program will be available for new and current George Stone students and approval is anticipated for funding by the GI Bill and other veteran’s educational programs. Keith Boring, program manager for the Navy’s Credentials Program Office, said active-duty and reserve Navy and Marine Corps personnel will be eligible for funding for the certification testing portion of the Aviation Maintenance Program through the Navy’s Credentialing Online Program, or Navy COOL. “We don’t fund for the training portion of the program, as many active-duty and reserve service members qualify as a result of their military schools and on-the-job training,” said Boring. “Navy COOL does fund, however, for airframe, powerplant and combination testing for the necessary certification exams at qualified technical schools like George Stone.” The goal of the maintenance program is to help develop a local workforce that can fill the future aerospace jobs coming through VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering, Airbus, and other regional employers. The program is in the process of receiving FAA approval and certification and is scheduled to start the first class at the school in August 2015. For more information about Navy Education and Training command, contact Ed Barker, NETC Public Affairs Office at 850-452-4859. For more information about educational opportunities at George Stone Technical Center, call 850-941-6200, or visit www.georgestonecenter.com.

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Navy jet put to good use at George Stone

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