Airlines
American Airlines donates An MD-80 Engine to AIM Chicago
A crucial component of the iconic McDonnell Douglas MD-80 used by American Airlines will continue to power aviation maintenance even if the last MD-80 made its final flight in 2019. During the annual conference of the Aviation Technician Education Council in Chicago today, the airline gave a Pratt & Whitney JT8D engine to the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM). Students pursuing their certification as aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) at the school’s Chicago location will use the engine for practical instruction.
The engine donation is part of an ongoing partnership with AIM that gives students access to American maintenance facilities, regular interaction with the company’s team of aviation maintenance specialists, and interviews with Americans for the best candidates from AIM’s Chicago campus.
“Hands-on training on a range of airframes and powerplants is essential for the AIM graduate to become prepared to join the workforce after graduation. American sees the value of investing in a diverse student population, and this donation will help to prepare current students to become tomorrow’s American Airlines technicians.”
American airlines Insight view of A321XLR(Opens in a new browser tab)
Aviation maintenance professionals from American’s Chicago Technical Operations team are also mentoring a five-student team for the upcoming Aerospace Maintenance Competition in Atlanta April 18–20. The competition, held in conjunction with Aviation Week’s MRO Americas, brings together teams from schools, airlines, military, general aviation, repair and maintenance organizations and space to compete against each other in real-life maintenance scenarios.
