Westchester Aircraft Maintenance Association (WAMA), which claims to be one of the country’s first professional organizations for aviation maintenance professionals, passed its 60th anniversary in 2020 but because of Covid-19 it now hopes to formally mark the occasion at its annual gala in the second half of this year.

Based at Westchester County Airport in New York, WAMA was founded in 1960 by a handful of aviation mechanics working for Fortune 500 corporate flight departments. The group aimed to create a social and educational organization to enhance the knowledge base of its members and to keep them abreast of the latest issues affecting the piston, turboprop, and jet aircraft they maintain.

Today, the organization maintains a “100-percent focus” on training, a concept that is embedded in its charter. It offers training through hosting classes in aircraft maintenance and career and personal development, as well as monthly dinner meetings with aviation OEM briefings and industry guest speakers. WAMA also works to connect local aviation schools with aviation companies for internships and maintains a website where members can post their resumes and open job positions.