Northwest Mississippi Community College

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New plane donated to Northwest aviation program

Senatobia, MS (05/16/2017) — Students in the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at Northwest Mississippi Community College are now able to train on a new kind of plane and expand their knowledge in the industry, thanks to a generous donation.

According to Calvin Cooper, Aviation Maintenance Technology instructor, the program recently received a 'kit-built" airplane from Eddie Haley of Senatobia. Haley is currently a Designated Mechanic Examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration. He conducts student examinations for certification of the Aviation Mechanic license.

The experimental RANS S-6S Coyote II was assembled by an individual, and then later purchased, modified and updated by Haley. He knew it would be beneficial to the students and the program due to the level of maintenance that can be performed on it. It would also get the students familiar with these types of aircraft and engines that are growing in popularity in the industry.

Northwest's program is located at the DeSoto Center-Olive Branch and as they do not have access to a runway, it was necessary to disassemble the aircraft in order to bring it to the facility and then reassemble it once again. The students were allowed to perform this work, which enabled them to immediately learn a lot about it, Cooper said.

"We are extremely excited about getting this. It is one of the better additions that we have had to our program in a long time," Cooper said. "It's an updated version of new aircraft by industry standards, and our students can learn a lot from it. It will help them once they get out into the field," he added.

Cooper explained that the program is designed to give students the basic knowledge and experience they need to become an aircraft mechanic. The Aviation Maintenance Technology program offers an FAA-certified curriculum designed to prepare students for a career as aircraft, airframe and powerplant mechanics. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to receive the Associate of Applied Science degree. Cooper and David Lindsey are the two instructors for the program.

For more information, contact Cooper at (662) 280-6183 or email ccooper@northwestms.edu.

Pictured: Northwest Mississippi Community College Aviation Maintenance Technology instructor Calvin Cooper, left, and David Lindsey, right, thank Eddie Haley, center, for his recent donation of the "kit-built" RANS S-6S Coyote II to their program. The plane is an updated version of experimental class aircraft which will enable the students to expand their knowledge and help familiarize them for field maintenance. (Photo submitted)

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