MCTC receives final FAA rating
May 28, 2026
by Rachel Adkins
Maysville Community and Technical College recently celebrated the final Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Powerplant rating, completing the Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) degree program alongside General Aviation and Airframe.
“This accomplishment, the completion of MCTC’s AMT program, has truly been many years in the making. The work began well before my presidency, and the idea for the program even before the pandemic,” said Dr. Laura McCullough, CEO and President of MCTC. “It has been a long journey and today is a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate what persistence, partnership, and belief can accomplish.”
To ensure the success of the program, over two million dollars was raised through the efforts of Dr. Shana Savard-Hogge, Associate Director of Grants, and Cara Clarke, Associate VP of Advancement/Executive Director of Foundation. Funds raised were supported by the Perkins grant program.
The AMT program at MCTC is designed to prepare the next generation of professionals with technical knowledge and hands-on experience that are critical for a successful career.
Students in the program study electrical systems, landing gear systems, aircraft structures, hydraulics, sheet metal repair, navigation and communications systems, aviation regulations, composites, and aircraft inspection procedures.
AMT students will learn how reciprocating turbine engines operate, propellers function, fuel and ignition systems operate, and how to troubleshoot all through hands-on experience, working directly with aircraft equipment, engines, tools, and components in two state-of-the-art labs.
“This is more than the completion of a program. It represents opportunity, innovation, workforce development, and the future of aviation in our region,” said Kevin Woodruff, AMT Program Coordinator at MCTC. “Every aircraft that takes off depends on highly trained aviation maintenance professionals to ensure it is operated safely and efficiently.”
Danny Gregory, Principal Maintenance Inspector of the Louisville Flight Standards District Office of the FAA, discussed the importance of the role of an AMT professional.
Referencing General Aviation News, Gregory noted that a shortage of aircraft mechanics in the United States is expected to continue through the next 10 years.
Boeing estimates that 770,000 maintenance technicians will be needed to support commercial operations.
Additionally, 27 percent of FAA-certified mechanics are over the age of 64, with the average age being 54. Gregory noted this puts a large portion of the profession near retirement.
“That gives you an idea of the shortage in the country of certified airframe and powerplant mechanics, and how important the role is that MCTC is playing,” he said.
Typically, AMT professionals are trained in either airframe or powerplant skills. The program at MCTC prepares these technicians for both.
“When someone graduates from MCTC, they’re fully qualified in aircraft mechanics and exactly what both the commercial and general aviation industry is looking for to employ,” Gregory added.
He noted that, in most cases, employers would need to hire for both roles. If hiring a graduate from the college, they would be able to check both of those boxes simultaneously.
By the end of the Summer 2026 term, MCTC anticipates 10 students will have earned their associate degrees through the program. Several others have earned their degrees through Jefferson Community and Technical College while the college awaited the final powerplant rating.
Once they finish the program, students can work with airlines, corporate aviation departments, repair stations, manufacturers, helicopter operations, agricultural aviation, cargo carriers, government agencies, and military contractors.
Looking ahead, MCTC will begin recruiting at the ninth-grade level, offering field trips that introduce students to STEM programs and aviation careers.
MCTC has two labs for the AMT program. One is located on the Maysville Campus at 1755 US HWY 68, Maysville, KY, and the other is located at the Fleming-Mason Airport at 7079 Airport Rd, Maysville, KY.
For more information about the MCTC Aviation Maintenance Technology program, visit the program web page or call 606-759-7141.
