Friends, Faculty Fuel Eagle’s Drive Toward Aviation Maintenance Science Success

Since he arrived at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University in 2022, Philip Kwiecinski (’24) has found a lot to love about the B.S. in Aviation Maintenance Science program.

His highlights so far have included working in leading-edge labs and facilities, landing engaging internships, taking part in national competitions and traveling abroad to observe airline maintenance operations.

But for Philip, what really sets Embry‑Riddle’s AMS program apart are the people. From like-minded fellow students who share his passions and dreams to dedicated faculty members who make it their mission to turn aspirations into abilities, it’s those connections that make the difference for him.

“We’ve been able to form such a strong bond,” Philip said. “There are professors like Mitch Geraci, who is probably one of the greatest guys I think I've ever met, and William Kent, Jay Lacy and Charles Horning—all of them. They're all great people and they all want to help you.”

Philip, who has already completed his degree requirements, cites a core group of fellow AMS majors as another key source of inspiration and support. They include Samantha Fank, Colin Martin, Jesse Penas, Kymani Stephens and Joshua DeGuire.

“I wouldn't have gotten to where I am right now without them,” he said. “I would not have excelled as well as I did without their help with studying and just also being there as friends.”

The Inspiration for Education

Philip’s journey from his native Long Island to Embry‑Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus was itself inspired by a former aerospace engineer named Thomas Shea, who taught STEM courses developed by Project Lead The Way when Philip attended Commack High School.

“He had a huge impact on my life,” Philip said. “He suggested that I think about going into engineering and honestly, I probably wouldn't even be at Embry‑Riddle if it wasn't for him.”

Philip also met with his high school guidance counselor, who told him Embry‑Riddle was “the best place” for engineering and before long, he had scheduled a tour of the campus.

Originally, he wanted to check out both the AMS and the College of Engineering facilities, but he was immediately dazzled by the Emil Buehler Aviation Maintenance Science Building.

“I took the aviation maintenance tour earlier than the engineering tour, it's just the way the times worked out,” Philip said. “So, I'm going through the [AMS] tour and I'm looking around the lobby, I'm looking at the labs, I'm talking to the person giving me the tour, and I'm just going, ‘this is really cool.’ I like engineering, but I also like getting my hands onto stuff at the same time. And I like thinking through problems and figuring out how stuff works.”

The Emil Buehler Aviation Maintenance Sciences Building, named in honor of an aviation visionary, architect and engineer, houses classrooms and labs that support AMS students, giving them the space they need to get hands-on experience in a variety of areas.

What Does Embry‑Riddle Offer AMS Students?

Philip threw himself into the program and took advantage of all the opportunities Embry‑Riddle offers. He was part of a team—called the Smokin’ Rivets—that earned 10th place among the 32 teams competing in the Education Category at the 2023 Aerospace Maintenance Competition.

Then, during the first part of summer 2023, he joined fellow AMS students and faculty members on a study abroad trip to Greece.

“We spent a week with Aegean Airlines and we were looking into how their business and safety operations were run,” Philip said. “We focused on how their safety auditing was done inside their hangar environment, because that's relevant to where all of us are going to be soon. It was awesome.”

He then spent the second part of the summer as an intern at VerdeGo Aero, a company based at Embry‑Riddle’s MicaPlex Innovation Center and working to develop hybrid electric propulsion systems. Both experiences provided the kind of vital real-world experience that helps Embry‑Riddle students stand out in today’s job market.

“One thing that I've heard from my friends who are now in the industry is the baseline knowledge that you get coming out of Embry‑Riddle is a lot more expansive,” Philip said. “And then you also get the name of Embry‑Riddle behind you and that tells people, ‘okay, that guy knows his stuff.’ The foundation of the education that's given to us at Embry‑Riddle is what sets us apart in the AMS world.”

A Degree That Defines The Future

Philip isn’t sure yet where his Embry‑Riddle degree will lead him, but he’s confident he’ll have some excellent options to choose from.

“I'm thinking I either want to do something with a large corporation or I want to go to one of the major airlines,” he said. “But I also would like to be somewhere closer to my home for the first few years, even if it's not the best option. A couple of my professors have already said they would write recommendation letters to some of the big companies that they've either worked for in the past or where they still have direct connections.”

For anyone considering an AMS career, Philip says a B.S. from Embry‑Riddle provides the perfect launchpad for today—and tomorrow.

“Think about what a degree can do for you in the future,” he said. “It can help you get a job in quality control, as a maintenance director or manager. Some people think ‘oh, I can just get these certificates in two years and then move on.’ Don't just think about that. Think about when you've worked on the shop floor for 15 years and your body's starting to hurt every day. What do you want to do when you get to that point? Having a bachelor's degree can help you get to the next level.”