LOVELAND, Colorado — A rare Maverick TwinJet 1500 has been donated to Aims Community College, which will give students in the Aircraft Maintenance Training program hands-on experience working with advanced aviation technology.
The aircraft was donated to the Aims Foundation by Longmont resident and aircraft owner Mike Seavall. Seavall and his pilot flew the jet from Longmont to the Northern Colorado Regional Airport, then taxied directly to the hangar at the Aims Aircraft Maintenance Center, where students and faculty gathered to watch its arrival.
The Maverick TwinJet 1500 is one of only four aircraft of its make and model to ever have been flown, according to college officials. Seavall built the jet himself, assembling parts from a kit over a span of two years. The aircraft is an all-composite construction, outfitted with two T58 jet engines, which help it soar to an altitude of 31,000 feet at a ground speed of just under 385 mph, with each engine delivering 750 pounds of thrust.
“It’s rare to get a donation of this magnitude,” said Michael Sasso, Aims Aircraft Maintenance Chief, who leads the training program. “It’s a great opportunity to learn about modern technology, even though the airplane was built back in the early 2000s. It’s built from materials that are being used today, such as carbon fiber.”
Sasso said the aircraft has many upgraded systems, including a modern avionics package, that will be helpful for training across all of the program’s classes.
“Just having this is a real boost to our program and to our students,” he said. “It puts us leaps and bounds ahead of many of the A&P schools in the country to have something like this for our students to learn from.”
Sasso said the partnership with Seavall has been “nothing short of outstanding” and credited the donor’s generosity and commitment to student success.
“Having an airplane fly in and for the students to see it running and arrive here was just a great feeling,” Sasso said. “It is always great to see the students light up like that.”
The donation reflects Seavall’s desire to see the aircraft continue serving a purpose while helping educate future aviation technicians.
“The fact that it’s being used for education is a big plus for me because if I had sold it outright, you don’t know how it’s going to be used,” Seavall said. “And having it go into a maintenance environment, I’m actually helping people. So the plane’s actually teaching them about what goes on in there.”
Although the aircraft will now be used by the Aircraft Maintenance Training program and housed at the Aims Aircraft Maintenance Center, Seavall’s journey with the Maverick TwinJet is not entirely over. He retains visitation rights, allowing him to see the aircraft continue its legacy in the hands of future aviation technicians.
For more information: Aims.edu
Leave a Reply