A Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) student believes her career options as an aviation technician are taking off, following her completion of mandatory certifications.

Hannah Hembree, a native of Acworth, recently completed her coursework to receive an associate degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology and completed the last of her five exams—including written exams in Airframe and Powerplant (A&P)—to be certified by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA).

“I’ve always had a fascination with airplanes and travel,” Hembree said. “My father is my inspiration. He has been an A&P mechanic for 32 years at Delta Air Lines.”

Now that Hembree is fully certified, she is applying for jobs with commercial airlines and hopes to stay in the metro-Atlanta area, she said. She enjoys sheet metal, electricity and avionics work, but will consider all options related to aviation.

In addition to maintaining the aircraft’s avionics and flight control systems, aviation technicians also perform routine work, such as changing oils, replacing engine components, maintaining brakes, checking tires, servicing air conditioning systems and troubleshooting.

Hembree is optimistic about her prospects because the need for aviation mechanics is so great that the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) lists Aviation Maintenance Technology as one of Georgia’s high demand career fields.

“High demand career fields represent the occupations in each of Georgia’s key industries that are in-demand, pay an above-average entry-level wage and are considered strong options for pursuing a successful career in Georgia,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president. “These occupations are critical to these industries’ success and Georgia’s economic health.”

These career fields are identified by the State of Georgia and reflect areas within the workforce where there are often more open positions than there are skilled workers to fill them, Dr. Popham explained.

Since the late 1990s, there have been more workers in Aviation over age 60 than under age 30, said Jon Byrd, executive director of Aviation at GNTC and TCSG state Aviation advisor.

“The pandemic and employees taking early retirement escalated the shortage,” Byrd said. “As a result, companies employ two, sometimes three, new workers to replace one that retired.”

The sky’s the limit for careers in aviation because mechanics can move into management, performing inspections or positions at the FAA, for example, or choose to continue their education, she said.

Hembree cited a 2021 study from the FAA that showed only 2.6% of all aircraft maintenance technicians are women. She would like to see more women in her field.

She believes women will be respected in their field just as she was respected and treated fairly by the GNTC faculty and her male classmates, adding that she was the only female in her class.

“When Hannah wasn’t doing assigned tasks, she was studying for her upcoming written exam and oral practical,” said Phillip Moore, instructor of Aviation Maintenance Technology at GNTC.

Moore explained that to obtain an A&P mechanic license from the FAA, students must pass an FAA written exam in each area: General, Airframe and Powerplant, as well as an oral and a practical exam.

Hembree’s confidence in the quality of the education and instructors in GNTC’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program was the reason she selected the college.

“The school provides a top-notch education with hands-on instruction and a lot of bookwork. The instructors are amazing at their jobs,” she said.

She said she is going to miss classes and recommends the program to anyone who is interested in pursuing a career in aviation maintenance.

Hembree has had a discovery flight to confirm that her interest will justify the cost and time to earn a private pilot’s license, she said. She looks forward to starting classes and saving to purchase her own plane, which she will be able to maintain herself.

Moore offered high praise for Hembree’s eagerness to learn, dedication and competency.

“Students like Hannah are the reason I became an instructor,” he said.

GNTC students who wish to pursue Aviation Maintenance Technology or another of Georgia’s high-demand careers may be eligible for a grant to pay 100% of tuition costs for select in-demand diploma and technical certificate programs. To be eligible for the HOPE Career Grant, students must first qualify for and be receiving the HOPE Grant. The two grants together will cover tuition.

Students must meet HOPE Career Grant eligibility requirements and pay the remaining costs of college fees, books and materials each semester. For more information on the HOPE Career Grant, visit https://www.gntc.edu/admissions/financial-aid/state-grants/.