Sowela test center ready for takeoff as FAA approves it as exam site – American Press

Special for the American press

Sowela Technical Community College’s testing center was recently approved to offer Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) exams. It is the only FAA-approved testing site in southwest Louisiana. The additional testing options allow students to take FAA exams on campus, significantly reducing travel and associated costs.

“Sowela prides itself on being a very student-focused institution and we are constantly removing barriers that prevent our students from succeeding,” said Sowela Chancellor Neil Aspinwall. “One of those barriers was the inability of our aviation students to take their FAA certification exams here on campus. With the recent FAA approval for our testing center to administer the Airframe and Powerplant exams, our students can now earn their A&P certifications without having to travel out of town or out of state to take the exams.”

Sowela students are required to take the Aviation General Maintenance, Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) exams as part of their coursework. In the past, these students had to travel hours, but now they will be able to take the exams on the same campus as their coursework at the College’s main campus in Lake Charles.

“This event marks one of many enhancements to our program aimed at reducing the costs and barriers associated with obtaining FAA certifications,” said School of Transportation and Applied Technology Dean Robert Null. “We are committed to providing our students with the resources and support they need to succeed in their aviation careers.”

Sowela’s two-year aviation maintenance program offers hands-on learning with practical application of aircraft maintenance training. Most recently, the program received a massive ground surveillance aircraft, the $73 million E-8A Joint Stars Jet, from the U.S. Air Force. Sowela is the only program in Louisiana to offer students a military-modified wide-body turbofan aircraft for hands-on training.