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American Aerospace Technical Academy (AATA)

Foothill College is partnering with AATA to train returning veterans, women, and residents from disadvantaged communities in the high-demand field of Non Destructive Testing (NDT).  AATA's apprenticeship program is the only nationally recognized NDT apprenticeship program in the United States.

Nondestructive Testing (NDT) is the process of inspecting, testing, or evaluating materials, components or assemblies for discontinuities, or differences in characteristics without destroying the serviceability of the part or system. In other words, when the inspection or test is completed the part can still be used.

Today, modern nondestructive tests are used in manufacturing, fabrication and in-service inspections to ensure product integrity and reliability, to control manufacturing processes, lower production costs and to maintain a uniform quality level. During construction, NDT is used to ensure the quality of materials and joining processes during the fabrication and erection phases, and in-service NDT inspections are used to ensure that the products in use continue to have the integrity necessary to ensure their usefulness and the safety of the public.

4-Year Apprenticeship Program

AATA’s program is built to be customizable but a traditional format would be a 10-week program. Students attend class full time (40 hours a week) Monday - Friday. With this format, each week is a new topic with a test at the end of each week. Each module is designed to build and grow off the week prior. A typical program might look like the following:

WEEK 1:  Magnetic Particle Levels I & II  40 hours

WEEK 2:  Penetrant Testing Levels I & II  40 hours

WEEK 3:  Ultrasonic Testing Level I  40 hours

WEEK 4:  Ultrasonic Testing Level II  40 hours

WEEK 5:  UT Phased Array Level I  40 hours

WEEK 6:  UT Phased Array Lab  40 hours

WEEK 7:  Radiation Safety  40 hours

WEEK 8:  Radiographic Testing Level I  40 hours

WEEK 9:  Radiographic Testing Level II  40 hours

WEEK 10: Computed Radiography  40 hours

After completing 400 hours of coursework, AATA graduates have  successfully employed some of the top names such as SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, NASA, Element, Team, Mistras, Virgin Galactic, The Spaceship Company, PCC, Premium Inspection, Applied Technical Services, etc. in the industry and all over the United States.

For questions and more information about the program, please contact:

American Aerospace Technical Academy (AATA)                                           

Contact: John Stewart, Founder                                                                                          

Email: Stewartaata@gmail.com                                                                                    

Contact AATA: http://www.aatatraining.org/apply                                        

Website: http://www.aatatraining.org/

Promotional Video: https://vimeo.com/666855074/4baf1f1533