Story ID: 
NCATT Changes Name, Adds FOD Certification
By: David A. Lombardo
Caption: In 1999 the National Science Foundation (NSF) initially funded the National Center for Aircraft Technician Training (NCATT), which arose from an industry p
Word Count: 164
In 1999 the National Science Foundation (NSF) initially funded the National Center for Aircraft Technician Training (NCATT), which arose from an industry partnership of avionics subject matter experts and educators. NCATT has evolved, so the organization is changing its name to National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies. A follow-on NSF grant for $657,000 is allowing NCATT to accelerate the development of aircraft electronics technician (AET) endorsement standards, study guides and AET certification areas such as autopilot systems, flight management systems, artificial/enhanced vision and others. As of last month, the number of technicians who have received NCATT AET certification topped 400. The NCATT foreign object elimination (FOE) program is now in LaserGrade testing centers. The goal is to raise awareness and promote a culture where foreign object damage (FOD) is addressed before it becomes a critical issue. This program is a basic awareness certification that can be used by all employees, not just technicians, who work in FOD-sensitive/critical areas in the hangar or manufacturing floor.