“We’re trying to do a better job of getting the word out about Tracs scholarships for 2007. We had a number of the 2006 opportunities go unused for lack of applicants,” Mark Dietrich of NBAA’s Maintenance Committee told AIN. “The deadline for next year’s awards is January 15, 2007, so we’re giving plenty of notice.”

NBAA is taking positive steps to help promote the maintenance technician profession and retain those currently in the industry, with its maintenance technical reward and career scholarship (Tracs) program. Tracs is sponsored by aircraft, engine and avionics manufacturers, maintenance training providers and others in the industry. It is open to current and future A&Ps, avionics technicians and other individuals interested in developing their technical and professional career paths in business aviation maintenance. Award recipients attend model-specific courses at aircraft, engine and avionics training centers.

Last year’s recipients were awarded maintenance scholarships to initial programs on the CF34 engine, Gulfstream IV and V, Citation 560, Global Express, Challenger 604 and Learjet 35/36 and 60. FlightSafety International awarded a Principles of Troubleshooting course; Honeywell offered avionics and engine courses, and Global Jet Services offered an RVSM course.