Aviation maintenance training with the Chennault Aviation Maintenance Academy Director of Education, and with the Director of Maintenance for Chennault Aviation Services. In the news, more Newark Airport air traffic control problems, a large IAG order for Boeing and Airbus jets, calls to abolish airport screening, and Qatar’s B747-8 gift.

Guests

Michael Riccardelli, Director of Education, Chennault Aviation Maintenance Academy (CAMA), and Joshua Borel, Director of Maintenance, Chennault Aviation Services.

CAMA offers hands-on aviation maintenance training that combines technical excellence with real-world experience and is rooted in the legacy of General Claire Lee Chennault and the Flying Tigers. The Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) program is designed both for people starting a career, and for those looking to take a new direction. It provides the skills, knowledge, and certifications for success in aviation maintenance.

Mike and Josh tell us about the non-profit Aerospace Maintenance Council and the Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition, which recognizes and celebrates the aviation maintenance technician. The competition is held annually in conjunction with Aviation Week Network’s MRO Americas and, for the first time in 2025, in conjunction with Vertical Aviation International’s VERTICON. Chennault Aviation was a sponsor of both events.

CAMA offers three programs: the traditional 18-month classroom program, self-paced A&P online training, and Choose Aerospace, which is offered through the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC) for juniors and seniors in high schools.

Joshua Borel, Michael Riccardelli, and Casey Salzar standing, left to right. — Joshua Borel, Michael Riccardelli, and Casey Salzar.

Mike and Josh explain the worldwide shortage of aviation maintenance technicians and how they are taking action to help get younger people interested in aviation. They also describe the synergy provided when one location encompasses maintenance training, flight training, and an operating airport.

Michael Riccardelli was a CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopter technician in the Marine Corps and received his A&P in 1991. He assisted NASA in the Columbia recovery operations and maintained helicopters in the oil and gas industry, as well as EMS helicopters for Air Evac Lifeteam. Mike started aviation maintenance instructing in 2011. He coached student aviation maintenance skills teams for 12 years, with multiple wins in various competitions, including the Aerospace Maintenance Competition. He fielded the first all-female student aviation maintenance skills team, which took first place.

Joshua Borel flew model airplanes from the age of 8. He joined the Air Force in 2011 as a C-5 Galaxy ISO (heavy inspection) Crew Chief, winning two Knuckle Buster awards. In 2016, Josh enrolled in the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, winning 1st in the 2017 PAMA Olympics, 2nd in the 2017 AMC School Category, and 1st in the 2018 AMC School Category. He graduated in February 2018 with A&P as class Valedictorian. Joshua joined Chennault Aviation while it was just a Part 61 flight school. He received his PPL in 2021 and became Director of Maintenance in 2022. He helped grow the company into not only a flight school, but a Part 135 Charter, a Part 147 A&P School, and a public airport.

Aviation News

Newark Liberty Airport suffers third system outage in less than 2 weeks, impacting hundreds of flights

Another week of delays and cancellations caused by a system outage. This time, a 45-minute ground stop was reportedly the result of a momentary failure of a backup system. Controller staffing remains a problem, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the number of flights will be cut.

IAG orders 71 long-haul jets split between Airbus and Boeing

IAG announced orders for 33 aircraft from Airbus and 38 from Boeing: Thirty-two 787-10 aircraft for British Airways, twenty-one A330-900neo aircraft, six Airbus A350-900s, six A350-1000s, and six 777-9s.

See: Rolls-Royce Gets Exemption From Tariffs

Boom CEO Wants Airport Screening Abolished

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently posted on X: “Tell me how we can Make Traveling with Family Great Again! There’s no better place to start a family than the USA so I want to make it easier for you to travel with your kids. Here’s your chance to tell me, your Transportation Secretary, what I can do to make travel easier for your family. Send me your best ideas!” That tweet received over 13,000 responses, most wanted to see TSA screening dropped, claiming other technologies could replace the unnecessary and invasive procedure.

Trump administration poised to accept ‘palace in the sky’ as a gift for Trump from Qatar: Sources

According to sources familiar with the proposal, the royal family of Qatar is offering to gift a luxury Boeing 747-8 as a new Air Force One. The plane would be available for use by President Donald Trump and then be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation.

See: Turning Qatar’s Gifted 747 Into Air Force One Will Be Anything But Free

Mentioned

Secretary Duffy’s ATC Modernization Plan has a Couple of Problems from Jetwhine.

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