Sinclair College aircraft mechanic hangar at Dayton airport to help students get good-paying jobs, officials say

Sinclair Community College president Steve Johnson speaks at an event in December 2021 announcing a new Aircraft Mechanic Training Facility at the Dayton International Airport. Eileen McClory / staff

Sinclair Community College president Steve Johnson speaks at an event in December 2021 announcing a new Aircraft Mechanic Training Facility at the Dayton International Airport. Eileen McClory / staff

Dayton has approved a lease agreement with Sinclair Community College for a new aviation mechanic training center at the Dayton International Airport.

There is a shortage of aircraft maintenance personnel across the country, and these are good-paying jobs, city officials said.

“These are great jobs,” said Dayton City Commissioner Matt Joseph.

Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians have a median pay of nearly $66,000, and nationally employment in this occupation is expected to increase by about 6% between 2021 and 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Gil Turner, Dayton's director of aviation, at the Dayton International Airport on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. CORNELIUS FROLIK / STAFF

icon to expand image

Sinclair College offers aviation mechanic training at its campus downtown, but the airport is modifying one of its original hangars to serve as a new classroom, said Gil Turner, Dayton’s director of aviation.

PSA Airlines, headquartered at the Dayton airport, will work with the students and will allow them to shadow mechanics to give them real-world experience, Turner said.

“Hopefully once they come, graduate from the program, they’ll be able to walk right into a job with PSA, Sierra Nevada, Air Wisconsin,” Stevens aviation, Wright brothers aero,” he said.

From left: Gil Turner (director, Dayton International Airport); Dr. Steven Johnson (president, Sinclair Community College); Dion Flannery (president, PSA Airlines).

Credit: Contributed

icon to expand image

Credit: Contributed

Turner said mechanics can make $100,000 if they obtain employment with some of the major air carriers.

Sinclair College has agree to pay the city about $38,150 per year to lease the hangar. The lease agreement lasts through 2043.

This program hopefully will help boost the median income in the city of Dayton, said Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims Jr.

About the Author