Cooper Ams

My main job duties are to identify problems that are halting the build and installation process of the interior components of the aircraft and take the necessary steps to change the engineering design to prevent these problems from happening again.

 

The AET program has given me the opportunity to have hands-on experience with different types of aircraft and their systems, which has given me great insight on how different aircraft systems work. I can use this information to understand why certain problems are occurring during the manufacturing process and take the correct steps to correct these problems without causing any extra rework.

 

All of my professors have been influential in my learning while I have been at Purdue. I would not be where I am today if it weren't for all of their support.

 

I would say the Advanced Composite Manufacturing taught me a lot about using 3-D modeling software, which is something that I use on a daily basis at Gulfstream. I would also say that the avionics courses offered by Professor Barnes have helped me prepare for my new role, but not in the traditional way of the course content directly coordinating with a task of mine. My strong suit is not avionics, so these classes forced me out of my comfort zone and taught me how to find the necessary information to complete a task without it being given to you directly. This experience is extremely valuable to me, and it has allowed me to be more self-sufficient in the industry.

 

My favorite class was AT 272, Introduction to Composite Technology. I really enjoyed being able to work with carbon fiber in a hands-on environment, while also learning how to use CATIA v5. A completely separate professor that I have enjoyed working with is Dr. Moore in the Honors College. I have worked with him for two semesters now in the PrintBay, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. It has combined my mechanical interest with my artistic interest and has allowed me to create different works of art by using a printing press.