Scott Schneider is a Senior Maintenance Analyst with S&K Engineering and Research. He recently visited his alma mater, South Georgia Technical College, for the first time in 30 years and was featured in the school’s online news journal.

After serving six years of active duty in the United States Air Force (USAF), Schneider sought to earn his Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificates, an achievement that would enable him to work as an aviation mechanic. Schneider completed the program and graduated in May of 1990.

Thirty years after last departing, Schneider returned to the campus and was blown away by the advancements in the technology and the facilities. Yet for all the newness, there were still reminders of his time as a student. He recalled learning his trade on several aircraft that are still used for instruction today. He recognized the Stearman biplane that has been part of the program since the college’s creation in 1948. He also remembered working on the iconic World War II-era Navy Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune airplane that now adorns the front lawn of the campus.

Since joining S&K in May 2019, Scott has used his aviation mechanic experience to support the USAF F-15 Full Scale Teardown and Fatigue Testing contract in Georgia. His main role is to disassemble F-15 parts, specifically vertical stabilizers, which are made of advanced composites such as carbon fiber and boron. The parts are then analyzed for signs of wear and fatigue and the data is used by the USAF to improve aircraft manufacturing processes.

Read the full story from South Georgia Technical College: http://tinyurl.com/mjwe5pu7