The Hamilton Sundstrand Training Academy took place at Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems in San Diego, California, on Friday, April 13, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The purpose of the training academy was to expose a diverse group of college level engineering students to Hamilton Sundstrand, business development, and the skills needed to succeed in the workplace as an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Market Analyst.
Business Development Manager David J. Gideon facilitated discussions regarding Hamilton Sundstrand, business development, and their APU Market Analysis internship. Mr. Bob Edie and Ms. Maria Charles provided an extensive facility tour that included: safety, product line, packing, shipping, turbine assembly, rotor assembly, APU test cells, and the tail end of certain aircrafts.
Students also received classroom training on the APS 5000 APU, an APU found on the Boeing 787 aircraft. Topics of instruction and discussion included: APU theory, line maintenance, fault isolation, technical specifications, the global economy, and export control. Older turbines, wheels, inlet guide drains, and rotor assembly parts were available on hand for closer inspection.
A total of 21 Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) students attended the Training Academy: 8 students from San Diego State University, 7 students from San Diego City College, and 6 students from Southwestern College.
“I enjoyed the tour… being outside of the classroom. I liked how we were
learning about problems and the changes needed in the APUs which would relate to
real life conflicts when I become an engineer. I’d rather see how to deal with
problems than see a perfect one that would not need any improvement.” – Steven Tran, San Diego State University Aerospace Engineering junior.
The San Diego MESA Alliance would like to thank Hamilton Sundstrand (especially the efforts of Ms. Maria Charles, Mr. Bob Edie, Mr. David Gideon, and their respective colleagues) for their time and incredible work put forth into creating professional development and career relevant learning opportunities for our future – the students.
With 2011 sales of $6.2 billion, Hamilton Sundstrand is headquartered in Windsor Locks, Conn. Among the world’s largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and industrial products, the company designs, manufactures and services aerospace systems and provides integrated system solutions for commercial, regional, corporate and military aircraft. It also is a major supplier for international space programs.
United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company that provides high-technology products and services to the aerospace and building industries.