Aviation maintenance professional wins regional accolade

KALAMAZOO—Scott E. Austin, maintenance director for Western Michigan University's College of Aviation, has been named a Regional Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year.

A national General Aviation Awards program accolade, the honor puts him in the running with six others for selection as 2013's top U.S. aviation maintenance technician. The winner of that award is expected to be announced no later than March 1.

General Aviation Awards recognize individual aviation professionals in several categories at the local, regional and national levels for their contributions to aviation, education and flight safety. The program is a cooperative effort between more than 18 general aviation industry sponsors and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Scott E. Austin

Austin, who represents the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Flight Standards District Office and the Great Lakes Region, has been director of maintenance for WMU's aviation college since 2009. In this role, he also directs the University's Part 145 repair station for limited instruments and radio.

Austin earned a bachelor's degree in aviation maintenance engineering technology from WMU in 1994. The following year, he interned with United Airlines, assisting aircraft maintenance management teams.

He then returned to the University as a part-time technician in the aircraft maintenance department, and in  997 became a full-time employee. Austin was promoted to lead aircraft maintenance technician two years later and to chief inspector and manager of logistics and compliance in 2003.

He holds an airframe and powerplant license with an Inspectors Authorization and has done certified training with Cirrus, Piper, Avidyne, S-Tec and L-3/Skywatch. Austin also has completed a variety of other courses and schools and earned other aircraft maintenance certifications.