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Open House

Learn more about our programs and facilities at our free open house Tues., May 8, from 5-7 p.m., at Cecil Center South. Call (904) 317-3800 for more information.

Featured Student

Follow Rick’s journey to Florida State College and aviation maintenance.

School of Aviation

Administrators and Faculty

Carter Cheatum – Professor of Aviation/Air Traffic Control

Mr. Cheatum is a graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. He worked for the FAA as an air traffic controller at Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center for over 32 years. During his time as a full performance level controller, he was involved in all phases of training from classroom procedures and simulations to on-the-job training. Other job responsibilities included a committee to establish national Air Traffic Control performance requirements. After leaving the FAA, he taught math at Orange Park High School. Mr. Cheatum holds a certification in Air Traffic Control and a Teaching Certificate.

David Dagenais – Program Manager, FAA Certified A&P School

Mr. Dagenais is a graduate of Southern Illinois University (B. S. in Aviation Management) and Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (Master of Aeronautical Science in Aviation Management). Prior to joining Florida State College, Mr. Dagenais was the Airport Manager at the DeSoto Parish Airport in Mansfield, La. He also taught at an A&P school at Southern University in Shreveport, La. He is retired from the U.S. Navy with experience maintaining A7 aircraft and the P-3 aircraft as a Flight Engineer. He also served at the local Naval Rework Facility in the area of Pneudraulics repair and a Quality Assurance Specialist. Mr. Dagenais received an A&P Mechanic certification after completing school at Cochise College and holds the following FAA certifications: Inspection Authorization, Commercial Pilot – Single and Multi-Engine, Certified Flight Instructor and Designated Mechanic Examiner.

Sam Fischer – Program Manager, Aviation Degrees

Mr. Fischer is a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications and is currently working on a Master of Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He has more than 20 years experience in the creation and delivery of both aviation and technical training for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, as well as Jane’s Information Group, Northwest Airlines and the 3M Corporation. He is a Commercial Pilot with an Instrument Rating as well as Advanced and Instrument Ground Instructor. Additionally, Mr. Fischer is a past President of Chapter 193 of the Experimental Aircraft Association and is actively involved in the EAA’s Young Eagles program.

Don Gallion – Professor of Aviation, Air Traffic Control

Mr. Gallion is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science. He worked for the FAA for over 24 years at the Atlanta and Jacksonville Air Traffic Control Centers as an Air Traffic Controller, Traffic Management Coordinator, and a Supervisory Air Traffic Controller. Following retirement from the FAA he worked for over 3 years as an instructor with Apptis Incorporated and Raytheon Technical Services training Air Traffic Controllers. He holds an Enroute Controller Card with two facility ratings (Atlanta ARTCC and Jacksonville ARTCC), a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Single and Multi Engine Land ratings, and Instrument-Airplane rating. In addition, prior to working for the FAA Mr. Gallion briefly worked for an FAR Part 135 operator as a co-pilot and manager.

John Mayes – Professor of Aviation Maintenance Technology

Mr. Mayes is a graduate of Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (B.S. in Aeronautical Science). Prior to joining the Aviation Center of Excellence (ACE) in October 2002, Mr. Mayes served as a Boeing 727 Chief Flight Engineer, and Check Airman Instructor at two different unscheduled 121 passenger and cargo operations. He also worked for Gulfstream aviation Corporation as an Aviation Technician GIV, GV aircraft in the Flight Operation Department in Savannah, Ga. He is retired after 22 years from the U.S. Navy Reserves with experience maintaining S3 aircraft and the P-3 aircraft as a Flight Engineer. Mr. Mayes holds the following FAA certifications: A&P Mechanic certification Inspection Authorization, Commercial Pilot instrument - Single and Multi-Engine, Certified Flight Instructor and FCC General Radiotelephone (avionics).

Gene V. Milowicki – Director of Aviation Programs

Mr. Milowicki joined the Aviation Center of Excellence as the Director of Aviation Programs in November of 2009.  He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy (B.S. in Aerospace Engineering) and of the United States Naval War College (M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies).  He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served as a Submarine Warfare Officer, Naval Flight Officer, Joint Staff Officer and Professor of National Security Affairs over a career spanning more than 28 years.  In the Lockheed S-3B Viking and other Navy aircraft, he accumulated over 1,800 hours of operational flying experience and 414 aircraft carrier arrested landings.  His general aviation experience spans both airplanes and helicopters, having accumulated more than 925 hours in both.  He holds the following FAA certifications: Commercial Pilot Rotorcraft Helicopter with Instrument Rating, Certified Flight Instructor Rotorcraft Helicopter with Instrument Rating (CFI-I), Private Pilot Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL) with Instrument Rating, Private Pilot Airplane Multi-Engine Land (AMEL).

Chris Vandiver – Professor of Aviation Maintenance Technology

Mr. Vandiver is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with an associate’s degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology. He also has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Workforce Education and Development from Southern Illinois Univeristy. He began his aviation career working as an FBO for two years at Jacksonville International Airport. For the past 17 years, he has worked for Piedmont Airlines/US Airways Express as an aircraft mechanic on the deHavilland Dash 8 100/200/300 series aircraft. During this time, he performed shop duties, line maintenance, field service, RON over night maintenance, and he acted as a lead mechanic on heavy check aircraft inspections. Mr. Vandiver holds an FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Certificate and has worked at the College since the fall of 2005.