N.C. college gets $830,000 for aircraft maintenance training

ELIZABETH CITY

The College of the Albemarle received checks for two grants totaling $830,000 to be used to expand aviation maintenance courses.

The Golden Leaf Foundation announced a $250,000 grant last year and another for $580,000 in March, according to a release from the school. Officials held the official awarding of the checks Thursday.

COA began courses in sheet metal work last year where 15 of the 61 students who have completed the course have been hired, according to the release. Sheet Metal students range in age from 17 to 60 and come from all of COA’s seven-county service area.

Establishing aviation courses became a priority after Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County opened an aviation park next to the U.S. Coast Guard base and DRS Technologies, a government contractor that works on aircraft.

New courses will include avionics, mechanical, electrical, electronics, sheet metal, and composites and are expected to lead to full implementation of an FAA certified airframe and power plant training program.