Welcome to the COPAMA!
Our 23rd and Final Year of Service to Central Ohio Aviation!
Current News: 2025
Visit our On The Web page
This is a collection of aviation related videos and web links for your enjoyment.
Recent Events 2024
Our Final Events:
2025 Ohio Aviation Maintenance Symposium
Monday, March 24, 2025
Eastland Career Center
Annual Board Meeting
November 20, 2024 6:00 PM
OSU Airport Terminal Building
2160 W. Case Road,
Columbus, Ohio 43235
Youth Aviation Adventure Event
Saturday, September 14, 2024
OSU
Airport, Columbus, Ohio 43235
2024 Ohio Aviation Maintenance Symposium
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Eastland Career Center
Annual Board Meeting
November 27, 2023 7:00 PM
OSU Airport Terminal Building
2160 W. Case Road,
Columbus, Ohio 43235
Event Information
2025 Ohio Aviation Maintenance Symposium
Monday, March 24th, 2025
At Eastland Career Center
FAASafety.gov Link
2025 OAMS Training Schecule
2025 Vendor Listing
View the OAMS 2025
Event report!
Visit the report from last year's event here.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Wishing you a joyous Holiday Season and a Happy 2025 from all of us at COPAMA!
2024 COPAMA Board Meeting
Wednesday,
November 20, 2024 6:00 pm
COPAMA Board chooses to cease operations in 2025
After much deliberation, the COPAMA Board came to unnaimous vote concerning the continuation of COPAMA as a Non-Profit organization. Since we have ongoing commitment to a few student awardees till next June 31st, the Board will meet again at that time to finalize the close of operations. The 2 members, Lowell Dowler and Gene Sprang, who were not seeking reelction will remain on the board through closing.
Our thanks go out to Alex Teffenhardt, Robert Everett, Todd Worthington and Tyler Worthington who were in attendance to contribute to the discussion. The minutes of the meeting will be published here once approved by the board.
Our final event will be the 2025 Ohio Aviation Maintenace Symposium. It will be held Monday March 24th at the Eastland Career Center off Hamilton Road near Groveport, Ohio in Southeastern Franklin County.
COPAMA Board Meeting Minutes - Nov 20 2024
Reed and Sprang Retirement Party at CSCC Bolton!
Gene and Mark receive the FAA FASTeam Certificate from FAA FASTEAM Safety Inspector Paul Gillenwater for their teaching contribution to aviation over the many years.
s
Gene's certificate as an example of the one each received!
FAA FASTEAM Safety Inspector Paul Gillenwater surprises Gene with the FAA Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award for this 50 years of safe activity in the aviation industry. The award was dated May 24th 2024, Charles Taylor's Birthday and National AMT Day!
Contratulations Gene from all of us at COPAMA and the many you have taught!
Youth Aviation Adventure at OSU Airport
Several COPAMA members were at the Event on Saturday, May 11 2024 to help with presentations and logistics . Youth age 12 to 18 are invited to attend to learn about aviation and the many careers available in the industry. Visit their website for more information and to register.
YAA is currently looking for volunteers to help with their next event, Saturday Septmenber 14th. Send an email to ColumbusSquadron@youthaviationadventures.org if you'd like to be a part of this outreach to Central Ohio youth!
Columbus Airshow 2024 at Rickenbacker
Central Ohio youth should be sure to visit the STEM Tent during the Airshow, June 14 - 16. The US Airforce Thunderbirds will attend along with other flight groups and static displays. Tickets are on sale. Visit their website above for tickets and more information!
Seven Choosen to Receive 2024 Scholarships
Photo L-R Eric Williams, Sesily Wanjema, Sarah Martinez, Sierra Villalobos Nicholas Shelton,
Tyler Worthington, and Carson Blamer.
The COPAMA Board received scholarship applications for the 2024 training period and chose 7 students to receive $1000.00 each in this year's scholarship awards. We wish them good luck on their testing for their FAA certifications and careers in Aviation!
2023
Happy Holidays from us at COPAMA!
2023 Annual Board Meeting, November 27th
The COPAMA Board of Directors met at the Austin E. Knowlton Terminal Building on Ohio State University airport. All members were present for discussion of items on the agenda and future planning.
The Board reviewed current Financial Status, adopted a new Documents Retention Policy (DRP), awarded $7000 in new scholarship requests and discussed future planning for 2024 and beyond. Secretary Gene Sprang has submitted the Meeting Mintes which may be downloaded for review along with the DRP above.
Veteran's Day 2023!
At exactly 11:11 a.m. every Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11), the sun aligns perfectly with the Anthem Veteran’s Memorial in Arizona to shine through the ellipses of the five marble pillars representing each branch of the Armed Forces, illuminating The Great Seal of the United States.
COPAMA was at the Airshow along
with the other Exhibits in the STEM Tent.
Memorial Day!
A Day of Remembrance!
We pause this weekend to remember those who gave their all for our freedom. Have a
safe and Happy Memorial Day weekend!
Few things match the experience of visiting the
Tomb of the
Unknown Soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery. The constant vigil is even
more solemn and special during this Holiday when we remember all our fallen and
thank all who served. Click on the picture of the Tomb for more about the Guards
at the Tomb and their dedication to honor those who lie there.
We bid Farewell to our friend and colleague
Clifford H. Kelling!
With sorrow we announce the passing of a Cenral Ohio Aviator and Instructor, Cliff Kelling. He passed away on Sunday May 21st and a memorial service is being held Wednesday, May 24th at the Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service, 285 East Main Street in Kirkersville, Ohio 43033.
Visitation is from 12:00 to 2:00 pm with the funeral service Immediately following. Our hearts go out to his family and friends as we share the sorrow of his loss.
Clifford Kelling Memorial Document May 24, 2023
2023 Ohio Aviation Maintenance Symposium Info
2023 Scholarship Awards granted by COPAMA Board
Standing: Austin Novak, Jackson Wollenburg, Marcus Zullo, Abigail Rhodes, Jonathan Sanchez. Kneeling: Noah Alloy
At our November Board of Directors meeting, we awarded $8,250 to six students at the Columbus State Community College Aviation Maintenance Technology at Bolton Field for 2023. This will reimburse each $1375 for their completed FAA written computer exams and their oral and practical exams performed by Designated Maintenance Examiners.
Support the COPAMA Scholarship Fund through PayPal!
Over the years, COPAMA has provided financial support to AMT Students by awarding Scholarship Funds to pay for the written, oral and practical tests required for their A&P certificates. They are tested twice during their two year training and the cost of those tests by PSI and individual Designated Mechanic Examiners (DME) now total $1,075.00.
COVID has had a great impact on the Aviation Maintenace Industry with the shut down of air travel by the major airlines for a period of time, many taking early retirements and leaving the workforce. Now that they are returning to more normal operations, General Aviation techs are leaving to join the airline industry, leaving small aircraft owners searching for mechanics for their repairs and inspections.
We expect new students to seek training in aviation maintenace and fill those entry jobs in General Aviation. We think the requests for scholarship grants will also increase and are ready to provide monitary support to them.
The fund supports aviation in other ways too! We help with aviation educational organizations like Youth Aviation Adventures, a group of squadrons across America that provide training for Scout merit badges and youth interested in aviation. We award testng funds for those ingaged in the A&P Apprentice programs MMS Aviation at Coshocton Airport. They provide another avenue for those wishing to enter service and work on missionary aircraft throughout the world to receive their FAA certificates.
At the end of 2021, the COPAMA Scholarship Fund has raised $187,084 and distributed $165,534 to support AMT students and our various youth groups engaged in aviation related studies. We currently have $21,550 committed but not redeemed due, in part by the COVID Pandemic. Note that once the scholarship award is granted, they have a set period of time to submit the test payment for reimbursement. We have extended that time due to the difficulties associated with COVID-19.
In December we awarded 9 more candidates $1,000 grants which was the total cost at that time. Unfortunately PSI increased the cost of each written computer exam $25 in January.
We have a way to contribute to the Scholarship Fund directly using the PayPal donation button below. Individuals and Corporate Sponsors may contribute whatever amount they wish to give. Corporations who give a donation of $100.00 or more will be added to our Corporate Sponsor page with a link to their website. Many corporations help in other ways by funding our Maintenance Symposium and other events and we couldn't raise the funds for this worthwhile cause without them.
Come join us with your contributions to this worthy cause! The full amount of your donations may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor when filling out your annual tax return.
COPAMA Scholarship Fund
Visit our Scholarship Page to see some of the people we've helped over the years!
COPAMA is a 501(C)(3) Non-Profit Organization. TIN# 43-2013111.
This page was last updated on 04/08/25.