Alamo Academies' Student Soars in Aircraft Mechanics

Bernardo Ainslie, Churchill High School senior, has taken 16 hours of Dual Credit courses in the Alamo Area Aerospace Academy (AAAA) at St. Philip’s College toward a Certificate of Completion in Aircraft Turbines Mechanic or Aircraft Structural Mechanic. Bernardo achieved Part-Time Honors in fall 2008 and spring 2009 in the St. Philip’s College aviation classes. Mr. Jose Rivera, SPC Aviation Instructor stated, “Bernardo Ainslie breathes aviation. He is outstanding in his current courses and is close to obtaining his private pilot license.”
Bernardo was offered an 8 week internship at Chromalloy Power Services starting June 15, 2009. Mr. Steve Valdez stated, “Bernardo is a very focus disciplined young man who has urgency for the job and he understands his role. On the second day of employment, Bernardo showed up with a fully loaded mechanic’s tool box. This got everyone’s attention on his urgency for the aircraft mechanic position. Bernardo is told what to do one time and he does it.” Bernardo has excelled in this position as he brings a personal quest and challenge to be the best.

This is true as Bernardo participated in SkillsUSA District 11 Aircraft Maintenance Technology Competition for high school students and then went to SkillsUSA State Competition in Corpus Christi in April. There he won first place in Aircraft Maintenance Technology. This launched him to the next level to compete at SkillsUSA National Leadership Conference in Kansas City, Missouri from June 22 to June 26, 2009, where he placed 4th in Aircraft Maintenance Technology.

Bernardo Ainslie commented, “SkillsUSA is a great organization that gives students many opportunities to excel in their studies and trades. I plan to stay at St. Philip’s College for my Associates of Applied Science in Airframe and Powerplant, obtain my A& P license and then further my education in Artificial Intelligence.”

Mr. Valdez stated, “Chromalloy Power Services was very proud to support Bernardo for the SkillsUSA National Competition. We offered tools but they were not needed. His manager also supported his contest preparation by giving him one-to-one on safety wiring. Chromalloy Power Services feel he is a valuable asset to the company once he completes his schooling.”