Avionics News December 2012 - 41

What is the market penetration for the AET?
We have certified approximately 1,800 people, and that encompasses all aspects of aviation: 145s, 121s, 123s, 91s, military and manufacturers. There are a lot of people who see value in what NCATT provides.

You’re the president of NCATT. How big is the organization?

Do you have any pets?

How do you get certified?

You find a local CATS testing center and sign up for the exam. You can study for the exam – there are resources at our website located at www.ncatt.org, but we do not release the exam or even a public question bank or practice tests. That is something the industry wanted – to keep the exam different than FAA written exams.

There are three of us on staff. That being said, our workforce actually numbers in the hundreds because of the many professionals who have volunteered their time and effort in the development of the standards, certifications and resources. It is easy to say that NCATT is a small organization, but the support of individuals and the various organizations shows its impact.

What is NCATT currently working on?

How long does it take to complete the exam?
The AET is a 75-question multiple-choice test, and you have two hours to complete it.

We are always working on different avionics certifications – avionics installation/integration, for example. A new area that we were asked to address is the development of an advanced composite certification as well as a preventative maintenance certification for private pilots.

I have a Pomapoo – a Pomeranian and teacup poodle mix, named Katy. She weighs 5 pounds and is a precious ball of fur that doesn’t shed or bark. She’s an odd dog for me to have, since I grew up in the desert mountains of Texas, three hours south of El Paso on a working ranch. I was always on horseback and working cattle in a real ranch environment. I always had fun, but it was fun with a purpose. That was my childhood. I grew up in the middle of nowhere and loved it. I still ride for pleasure. My dad still has cattle, so I get to help every once in a while.

Anything else you do for fun?

I know there’s a fee to take the test, but can it be taken at AEA events free of charge?
Yes, the AEA Educational Foundation sponsors all the exams at the AEA International Convention and all AEA Regional Meetings in the U.S. You learn the test results instantly. We do paper exams, and we grade them right there. Of course, if you take it at a CATS center, you find the results instantly, as well.

When you’re not working, what are you doing?

I read just about anything. I like history, biographies and true crime. My two favorite authors are Patricia Cornwall and Phillipa Gregory, who writes historical fiction. I also like James Michener and any saga book. I like getting into a series where the story continues across several books.

I am with my family. My husband, Scott, and I have a 9-year-old daughter named Alexandria and an 8-year-old son named Zachary. Alex is into sports, music and art. My son is all boy and into sports. He enjoys being the ball boy for the high school football team. This takes up a lot of my time, but we enjoy anything we can do together as a family. We do a lot of relaxing, including going out on our boat on either Lake Worth or Eagle Mountain Lake.

What does your crystal ball say for the future?

I’m an eternal optimist. I believe with the people that I’ve met throughout the years, their passion and commitment to the industry and the people around them, there can only be good things in the future. There are too many good people to have anything other than a positive and blessed outcome. q To learn more about NCATT, visit www.ncatt.org.
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Avionics News December 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News December 2012