December 04, 2020, Kent, Ohio -- On October 22, 2020 many years of hard work paid off for Joshua Eyring, Director of Aircraft Maintenance, and his aircraft maintenance team with the approval to be awarded the 14 CFR Part 145 Repair Station Certification from the Federal Aviation Association (FAA). Since March 2013, the Kent State University Aircraft Maintenance Department has been working hard toward full certification, and their dream has finally come to fruition.
“The entire 145 Repair Station process is not something we had to do to support our operation, it is something that we all wanted to do to add value to our program for our current and incoming students” said Eyring. “By becoming a part 145 repair station, this really quantifies the quality of our operation and is something that we can use to showcase the value of our flight operation to incoming students.”
Working from home during Governor DeWine’s stay at home order allowed the entire aircraft maintenance staff to contribute to developing and refining the required manuals, procedures, and forms necessary for becoming a Part 145 Repair Station. Recordkeeping requirements are more stringent, and the FAA will have increased observation of the maintenance operation. Aircraft will be returned to service under a Repair Station certificate number instead of internal-and-individual maintenance certificate numbers. As a result, the value in our flight operation is reinforced, as students and parents can be assured that the aircraft we are providing are maintained to the highest quality and safety standards.
In addition, this certification bolsters the hands on experience and training in the newly established College of Aeronautics and Engineering (CAE) Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Aviation Maintenance Management (AVMX MGT) anticipated in Fall 2021. “Bringing the Aviation Maintenance Program to Kent State University was really necessary because of industry demand,” says Christina Bloebaum, Ph.D., dean, CAE. “With the addition of a B.S. in AVMX MGT, CAE will become the second most comprehensive aeronautics program in the country.”
Becoming a Part 145 Repair Station is the segue which allows the Kent State Aircraft Maintenance team to perform in-house required avionics inspections on our fleet of aircraft if we have the proper test equipment. Previously, this function was contracted to an outside company. The premise of the Repair Station submission to the FAA was predicated on the acquisition of the avionics test equipment. “It has always been my goal to bring this function in-house for cost saving and scheduling reasons” said Eyring.
Please join us in congratulating the Kent State Aircraft Maintenance team on seeing years of hard work and dedication come to fruition!
Kent State University’s College of Aeronautics and Engineering continues to be recognized as a global leader embracing a unique synergy of aeronautics, engineering, and technologies that inspires our diverse talent to innovate, impact, and improve life, making the universe more accessible and the opportunities for our students immeasurable.