Press contact: Lynn Whalen

SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to support the training of future aviation mechanics. 

The grant aims to increase the number of individuals with airframe and powerplant (A&P) FAA credentials to address the national shortage in this workforce. Other goals are to diversify student enrollments and upgrade program equipment and technology. 

Students entering the program this fall are eligible for free tools and books ($4,800 value) and up to 75% of tuition paid for the first two terms of the five-term program, with an emphasis on recruiting women and students of color. Additional financial aid assistance is available for those who qualify.

Open houses for students interested in this in-demand, high paying career will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays, June 27 and July 11, at LLCC’s Levi, Ray and Shoup Aviation Center at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport. Attendees will learn about careers in the field and experience the daily work of aircraft mechanics including completing a sheet metal project, building a wiring harness, removing and replacing a piston engine cylinder and starting a jet engine. 

More information is available at www.llcc.edu/aviation, by calling 217-544-4965 or emailing Dave Pietrzak.