Aircraft Maintenance Technology - 16

Christopher P. Coley, Sr., 34, Campus Executive Director, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Irving, TX

nitially, Christopher P. Coley, Sr., did not look for a career in aviation. He joined AIM for an opportunity to further his career as a
higher education professional. He joined as an assistant campus
director before being promoted to campus executive director in
2018. Coley has been with AIM for more than eight years now and
says he has consistently strived to support student success outcomes and improve in every measurable metric for an institution
of higher education.
"Throughout my career I have had many leaders who have
invested valuable information along the way that helped shape
my professional career into what it is today," he mentioned. "These
leaders have embraced the role of being a professional mentor to me."
Coley is responsible for the overall operations of the institution with focus on ensuring students success and adherence to
regulatory requirements. He holds a Master's Degree in Business
Administration from the New England College of Business and
Finance and is currently seeking his PhD.
Coley has more than 15 years of experience as an administrator/manager in higher education with vast experience working
with individuals of diverse backgrounds. He is well-versed with
the rules and regulations of the Department of Education, Texas
Workforce Commission, Texas Veteran Affairs Commission and
the ACCSC Standards of Accreditation. He also serves ACCSC

as a team leader volunteer, responsible for
upholding accreditation standards for membership schools.
"I have accumulated my training over the
course of my 14-year career," he said. "Each
institution I have served has prepared me to
be the executive I am today. I place a high
emphasis on supporting and helping students
change their lives through education. At AIM,
we have a unique opportunity to assist students entering a very
rewarding career field as a certified A&P technician. This is what
drives me each day."
Coley gives back and supports the aviation industry through
supporting and leading AIM to deliver quality education in promoting the future crops of aviation maintenance professionals.
AIM Irving is the 2nd largest school in the organization supporting
more than 200 graduating students a year who begin their career
in aviation maintenance.
"My career goal is to continue supporting students in their
quest to become A&P certified, while continuing to make Aviation
Institute of Maintenance the best 147 school possible to help students achieve their dreams and aspirations through quality life
changing education," he noted.

Luke Czapla, 32, Aircraft Maintenance Technician, SkyWest Airlines, Saline, MI

ike many of his colleagues, Luke Czapla had an unusually strong
fascination with all things mechanical from a young age. His
father helped him appreciate the engineering of aircraft, machinery
and other technology by taking him and his brother on a regular
basis to many museums, fly-ins and flights with his pilot friends.
"These experiences, coupled with a strong sense of adventure led
me to realize in my teens that I wanted a job working on planes,
boats or trains. Of course, aviation was my top choice," Czapla noted.
He says he is grateful to have had many mentors at different
times over the years. It's hard to name just one, but he is sure they
know who they are. "There are many that gave me lots of technical
advice and taught me how to perform my job with precision and
hone my skills," Czapla explained. "Just as crucially, they also taught
me how to manage the pressures, challenges and stressors that are
often inherent in the day-to-day operations unique to this industry."
Czapla began his career in 2008 at Rhoades Aviation (BAK). At
first, he performed standard FBO duties such as fuel service, cargo
loading and basic customers service tasks. A few weeks later, he was
sitting in an In-Doc class for their 121 Convair and DC-3 operation
as a flight follower and assisting maintenance shortly thereafter.
"It was a massive amount of information in a world that was very
new to me," he commented. "Luckily, most of the people there had
decades of experience and took the time to pass on their knowledge."
After his time at Rhoades, Czapla was determined to acquire

OCTOBER 2020

his A&P in order to open more opportunities. While studying for his A&P, he performed
other intermittent on-the-job-training while
working fulltime at K&R International, where
he dealt with many international airfreight
carriers. Once he attained his license, Czapla
joined SkyWest Airlines in SBN as a R.O.N.
mechanic. "This was a much faster pace environment, but thanks to good management
and training, it was a fun and rewarding transition," he explained.
"I again had the privilege of working with some wonderful men
and women who took the time to teach me all the quirks of a new
aircraft. I took on the role of crew lead while in SBN and found it
to be a very rewarding experience.
A few years ago, Czapla transferred to SkyWest's DTW base. Here
he finds himself in a variety of roles in the hangar and the flight
line performing a mixture of mostly non-routine maintenance and
troubleshooting, RII duties or on road trips.
In addition to this year's AMT 40 Under 40 Award, Czapla has
also nabbed the FAA AMT Silver Training award in 2016, 2017,
2018 and 2019.
Eventually Czapla says he would like to move into a management
position, but right now, is having too much fun being hands-on
with aircraft.

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY

Aircraft Maintenance Technology

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