From the military to commercial airlines, aviation mechanics are preparing teams to prove who is the best on the biggest stage at The Competition. Among those vying to compete for the title is a group of high school students from the Cherry Creek School District.
At Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC), the classroom looks more like a mechanic’s garage. Students here training to be aviation mechanics.
Along with preparing for class, senior Asal Salman and his classmates are preparing for a big competition.
“When the opportunity was presented, I said, ‘Screw it, let’s go for it,'” Salman said.
This is the second year Salman and the CCIC team will compete against aviation mechanic teams from around the world in the Aerospace Maintenance Competition.
“And we got to go against heads of industry and I don’t know, it’s like that David and Goliath story,” Salman said.
“It’s all time based. The quicker time, the better the placement,” said Dave Williamson, CCIC aviation maintenance teacher.
Williamson said the skills this team will put to the test are in high demand. There’s a nationwide shortage of aviation mechanics.
Beyond the competition, Williamson said this is an opportunity for these students.
“This gives them their first taste of networking in the industry, getting their resume out there, getting in front of hiring managers, that type of thing,” Williamson said. “Last year, we had a student get recruited and he works here in Denver for a flight control overhaul facility in northern Denver.”
“I got plenty of offers as long as I completed my aircraft and powerplant certification,” Salman said.
Salman said he’s planning to bring his aviation knowledge to the Navy. But he knows this knowledge can give him a strong a career elsewhere.
“It’s a plan B, 1,000%,” Salman said, laughing.
The CCIC team will fly out next Monday for Atlanta, ready to take on big names including American Airlines, Southwest and even the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Salman said last year, their CCIC team finished in the middle of the pack – impressive considering almost every other team is professional. He believes this time around, the Cherry Creek team is even stronger.
CCIC is a CAPS Network affiliate program from Colorado.
The original story, including video story from NBC9 News, can be found here.
