荔枝视频

WCC Aviation Students Earn Final Certificates

July 28, 2026

Students in 荔枝视频鈥檚 Aviation Systems Technology program have earned their final certificate needed to complete the program.

Ten students received Powerplant Certificates of Completion, allowing them to take the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)鈥檚 powerplant mechanic written exam.

Individuals stand together in an airplane hangar holding certificates.
Ten students in WCC’s Aviation Systems Technology program earned Powerplant Certificates of Completion. Pictured from left to right, they are: Jorge Diaz-Marrero (top row), Ian Wallig, William Moore, Julia Lownds, Blake Tolman, Alexander Fredrickson, Daniel Demaree, Erick Porter, Drew Magill, and Marco Aceves-Garcia (bottom row).

鈥淚t鈥檚 a day they have worked hard toward for almost two years,鈥 WCC Aviation Instructor Mike Crumpler said at the certificate presentation ceremony.

Once the students pass the written exam, they are eligible to take the oral and practical exams. Upon passing all exams, students earn their FAA aircraft mechanic certificate with the powerplant rating.

The 10 students have already received their General and Airframe Certificates of Completion, and eight of them have already taken the exams needed to earn their FAA aircraft mechanic certificate with the airframe rating.

鈥淚n my recollection, this class has the highest number of students who have achieved that before they鈥檝e reached the end of the program,鈥 Crumpler said.

Julia Lownds said she was excited to earn her final certificate but will miss being a student in WCC鈥檚 aviation program. 鈥淚t feels bittersweet,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a really good experience.鈥

Lownds previously worked at an airport, and the aviation maintenance technicians shared with her how much they enjoyed their careers. She decided to pursue the same opportunity. 鈥淚鈥檓 now working in aviation maintenance, and I hope to continue with that,鈥 she said.

Erick Porter enjoyed his time in the program as well. 鈥淚 think this was a great place to learn,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 glad to have met all my classmates; we鈥檝e become a big team.鈥

Porter initially planned to work as an animator but decided to take a different career route in the aviation field. Now that he has completed WCC鈥檚 program, he will begin working at SkyWest Airlines.

鈥淭his program was, in a lot of ways, life-changing,鈥 Porter said. 鈥淪omething I really like about it is that the instructors focus on core principles, like personal integrity and making sure that your work is good and accurate. They push you to challenge yourself, correct yourself, and learn from your own mistakes.鈥

The students who earned certificates, listed by city of residence, are:

Beulaville
Drew Magill

Clayton
Julia Lownds

Four Oaks
Erick Porter

Goldsboro
Alexander Fredrickson
Blake Tolman

Raleigh
Marco Aceves-Garcia
Daniel Demaree
Jorge Diaz-Marrero
William Moore

Wendell
Ian Wallig

WCC鈥檚 Aviation Systems Technology program offers an Aviation Systems Technology degree, Aviation Systems Technology airframe diploma, and Aviation Systems Technology powerplant diploma.

For students interested in getting a four-year degree, WCC鈥檚 Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Systems Technology qualifies for East Carolina University鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology Transfer Program.

Learn more about Aviation Systems Technology on WCC鈥檚 website.

About 荔枝视频
荔枝视频 is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC鈥檚 mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.