Aviation Maintenance Technology Program Policies & Procedures

Non-Discrimination Statement

To view the full Non-Discrimination Statement, please visit the College Catalog & Student Handbook or the college website.

Disability Services/Accommodations

Individuals with disabilities who require accommodations for special services should contact the IHCC Disability Services office for assistance. Services are available to students who need classroom accommodations, interpreters, and/or specialized equipment.

Students who are requesting accommodations must document their disability by providing a written statement signed by a school counselor, physician, psychologist or other health care professional. Statements must include: (a) a description of the disability, (b) a statement of how the disability prohibits one or more major life activities and is a barrier to the student’s full participation in the program, and (c) a description of the specific accommodations to be provided. (Requested accommodations must be related to the individual’s specific disability.)

All requests for accommodations should be made prior to enrollment.

Students should make their requests for accommodations to the Disability Services office at the time they are applying for admission and, preferably, no later than six weeks prior to the beginning of each academic term. All student requests are dealt with in a confidential manner. Students should contact Disability Services by calling (641) 683-5749 (Ottumwa) or (641) 856-2143, ext. 2214 (Centerville) or by email at disabilityservices@indianhills.edu.

Accreditation

Indian Hills Community College is a public post-secondary institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the Higher Learning Commission, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, and (800)621-7440.

Indian Hills Community College is also accredited by the State of Iowa, Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319-0146, (515)281-8260.

Since 1972, the Aviation Maintenance Program has been an FAA Part 147-approved program.

Student Services

To view the full listing of Student Services, please visit the College Catalog & Student Handbook.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes describe the knowledge and skills the student should be able to demonstrate upon completion of the program.  Please visit the College Catalog & Student Handbook to view the Program Learning Outcomes.

Aircraft Technician’s Creed

Upon my honor, I swear that I shall hold in sacred trust the rights and privileges conferred upon me as a certified aircraft technician.  Knowing full well that the safety and lives of others are dependent upon my skill and judgement.  I shall never knowingly subject others to risks which I would not be willing to assume for myself, or for those dear to me.

In discharging this trust, I pledge myself never to undertake work or approve work which I feel to be beyond the limits of my knowledge;  nor shall I allow any non-certified superior to persuade me to approve aircraft or equipment as airworthy against my better judgement;  nor shall I permit my judgement to be influenced by money or other personal gain;  nor shall I pass as airworthy aircraft or equipment about which I am in doubt, either as a result of direct inspection or uncertainty regarding the ability of others who have worked on it to accomplish their work satisfactorily.

I realize the grave responsibility, which is mine as a certified airman, to exercise my judgment on the airworthiness of aircraft and equipment.  I, therefore, pledge unyielding adherence to these precepts for the advancement of aviation and the dignity of my vocation.

Cancellations

Indian Hills Alert is the emergency notification system of Indian Hills Community College. Indian Hills Alert allows the college to communicate timely emergency information quickly to students, faculty, staff, and interested members of the community.  To sign up to receive alerts, go to http://www.indianhills.edu/about/alert.php and create an account to receive information via phone, email, and/or text message about college–related emergencies, college closings or delayed openings due to inclement weather, or other urgent campus communications.  Indian Hills Alert will only be used to send you messages related to college emergencies or safety issues, never to send you advertisements.

Attendance and Punctuality

Mandatory Attendance

Regular and punctual attendance is mandatory in all Advanced Technologies Division courses. Student attendance will be recorded each day this class meets. A student missing class should immediately contact the instructor or a fellow student to find out what material was covered in class and if any assignments have been missed. The instructor will decide to accept late work or not. Communication between the student and instructor is most important, but it is the student’s responsibility to initiate such communication. Contacting the instructor before the missed class session is preferable whenever possible.

A student missing 16% of scheduled class meetings without excuse will be withdrawn from this course. This withdrawal may have academic or financial effects. Students missing class because of a college-sanctioned event will be excused from attendance, but not excused from completing assignments. They should contact their instructor for further guidance. Based on the instructor’s discretion, students may also be excused for the following reasons: bereavement, illness (more than two days), jury duty, court appearance, or military service. Students should give access to the appropriate documents in order to establish an absence as excused. Instructors will decide on the validity of such an excuse.

The number of actual class days a student may miss before being withdrawn varies depending on how often a course meets in a week. Students will receive warnings via email when they are nearing or have reached the 16% threshold. Consult the chart below to establish how many unexcused absences are permitted in this class:

Showing up for class on time is also mandatory. On the first day of class, the instructor will announce guidelines for tardiness, such as establishing a time limit for when a tardy becomes an absence. Four incidents of tardiness equals one absence, and the guidelines above apply.

Professionalism

Through your IHCC Aviation Maintenance Technology Program, you will experience an environment of professionalism. Proper conduct and safety awareness are emphasized. Attendance for on-campus meetings and online courses, as well as in-person courses, is expected and required

English Proficiency

The Federal Aviation Administration requires (FAA Order 8900.2C) that students can read, speak, and write in the English language sufficiently. As a result, students will be subject to taking the ESL ACCUPLACER Exam at the start of the program. Certain scores may require additional developmental coursework to be taken. Please contact us for more details on exact scores and concurrent enrollment specifications (641) 683-5214.

Laboratory Safety Rules

Students are required to partake in the important activities of lab/shop/classroom maintenance, cleaning, and organization as directed by an instructor. These activities are an integral part of their education and are necessary for lab safety.  This requirement will be subject to inspection by the instructor and will be reflected in industry-standard grading.

Dress Code

All students in the Aviation Maintenance Technology program should be neat and clean in appearance at all times.  During class periods, students may use their judgment as to what to wear, with the following exceptions:

• Shirts must be worn in the classrooms and labs.
• T-shirts with offensive printing are never to be worn on any IHCC campus.
• No open-toed shoes or sandals are to be worn in the lab.
• No shorts or cut-offs are to be worn in the lab area.
• Safety glasses and hearing protection are to be worn in the lab as directed by the instructor.

Students should always be prepared for the job market. Often potential employers come to visit IHCC.  Many times they come unannounced. Students should always strive to portray a professional appearance.

Hazardous Materials/Waste

The proper handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials and waste products is everyone’s responsibility.

Contact your instructor immediately if you suspect exposure to or contact with any hazardous materials.

Your instructor will acquaint you with the following for any areas in which hazardous materials are in use:

• Location of the Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Protective clothing, etc., is required for handling materials
• Proper disposal of used or unwanted materials and waste

Moving of School Aircraft

Throughout the program, the school aircraft may be required to be relocated in the hangar or outside on the parking lot, or run up area to accommodate various projects.  The following rules apply to the moving of Indian Hill’s aircraft:

• Instructor authorization must be obtained to move any school aircraft.
• If the school aircraft must be moved, it shall be done under the supervision of faculty or a sufficient number of assigned students to ensure adequate safety.

Lab Hours

• The lab is not to be occupied by students during lunch or break times. All lab work outside of normal class times MUST be supervised by an instructor.

Disregard of Lab Rules

Failure to meet safety standards or the disregard of shop policy and rules will be handled in a three “strike” system of consequences.

• Verbal warning.
• Removal of Industry Standard Points 10% of project grades.
• Recommendation for removal of the program.

Cell Phone/Computer/Tablet Use Policy

Cell phones, laptop computers, and computer tablets shall only be used during lecture or class project times if they are used to assist the student in taking notes, completing projects, or gathering information to accomplish project tasks. Device use for recreational or personal activities will be limited to break and lunch periods. 

• First Offense: The student will receive a verbal warning.
• Second Offense: The student will be removed from class.
• Third Offense: The student will be sent to the North Campus Program Director for reprimand and disciplinary actions.

Special permission will be granted on a case-by-case basis for cell phone use as required for a student’s employment or emergencies.

FAA Testing

Aviation Maintenance Technician students are required by the Federal Aviation Administration to complete written, oral, and practical exams for each of the General, Airframe, and Powerplant sections of the course.

• FAA written tests are given “as a service for students” at certain select times through IHCC’s testing center at the main campus. Students are also free to schedule tests at any of the numerous testing centers throughout the Midwest.
• Oral and Practical exams are normally completed in the Aviation Department.  Student applicants and affiliated Designated Mechanic Examiners (DME) complete these tests after normal school hours.  Test fees are included in the student course fees which are collected at the beginning of each semester. Students may elect to complete these exams with any outside DME of their choice.  This would be at their own expense.

If a student has questions or concerns about the above, contact Richard Brauhn at  Richard.Brauhn@indianhills.edu or 641-683-4255 or Andrew Mason at 641-683-4252 or Andrew.Mason@indianhills.edu.

Student Clubs and Organizations

The Aero Club is open to all IHCC students and staff.  The Aero Club offers its members aviation activities and community service opportunities above and beyond the scope of the approved curriculum.

IHCC has a number of organizations where membership is open to students.  For information regarding other IHCC clubs and/or procedures for starting new clubs, contact the director of Student Services.

Required Tools

The Aviation Maintenance Technology program requires students to have tools for project activities.  Students may purchase his/her hand tools and toolboxes and store them in the lab for projects. If you cannot procure a set of hand tools due to financial hardship or other reasons, please contact the Aviation Maintenance instructors or program director. Assistance may be available.  Students should inventory their toolboxes after each use to make sure that all tools are accounted for.  Toolboxes should then be locked and secured between labs or when not in use. Tool usage and requirements will be discussed during program orientation and first-term courses.  All students should be aware that IHCC is not responsible for any tools or toolboxes that are lost, stolen, or damaged in any way.  All tools and toolboxes must be removed from school property no later than one term after graduation or withdrawal from the program.  Any tools or toolboxes left after that period will be considered abandoned by the student and dealt with accordingly. 

• Rolling multi-drawer tool cabinet or carry toolbox

• Metal Snips (right, left, center)

• 7/8” spark plug socket

• SAE Combination wrench set (1/4” – 7/8”)

• 8” Adjustable wrench

• Punch and chisel set

• Automatic center punch

• Pliers set, to include:

  • Common adjustable pliers

  • Duckbill pliers

  • Side cutters with cushion throat

  • Needle-nose pliers

• Reversible safety wire pliers

• File set, to include:

  • Flat file

  • Half-round file

  • Small-round file

• Mixed screwdriver set-flat head and Phillips

• Ball peen hammer (between 12-16 oz)

• Small flashlight

• L-shaped Hex wrench set (1/16” – 3/8”)

• Steel 6” ruler w/decimal scale

• 2” Inspection mirror

• Wire gauge drill bit set (#1-#60)

• Safety glasses

• Tire pressure gauge

• Air chuck

• Valve core remover

• Full coverage hearing protector

• Auto-ranging multimeter

• 6” caliper

• 0” – 1” micrometer

• 1/4” Ratchet, fixed head

• 1/4” SAE shallow 12-pt socket set (3/16” – 9/16”)

• 1/4” SAE deep 12-pt socket set (1/4” – 9/16”)

• 1/4” Extension set

• 1/2” Breaker bar

• 3/8” Ratchet

• 3/8” Extension/adapter set

• 3/8” SAE shallow 12-pt socket set (1/4” – 7/8”)

• 3/8” SAE deep 12-pt socket set (1/4” – 7/8”)

• SAE 4-way angle head wrench set (3/8” – 3/4”)

• Channel-lock style pliers

• Locking 6” pliers (vise-grip style)

• Soft face dead blow hammer (at least 24 oz)

• Ball peen hammer (at least 24 oz)

• Hook/pick set

• Feeler gauge

• Tape measure

• Telescoping Pick-up magnet

• Ratcheting screwdriver

• Assorted bit set (torx, hex, phillips, flat, etc.)

Placement

The ability of a student to obtain employment in his/her career field upon graduation is a very important part of the educational process. The Academic Program and Career/Work-Based Office, working cooperatively with each student, will do everything possible to see that this objective is met.

• The student is responsible for actively seeking employment.
• The program will make students aware of job opportunities by written and/or verbal communication, as well as posting the information in the lab area and on social media.
• The student will be responsible for completing the IHCC Graduate Survey sent 6 months after graduation, providing the program with vital employment data.
• IHCC hosts a career fair each year in March for all programs.