Dusty Ray | Aviation Institute of Maintenance

​Dusty is the 2018 Aviation Institute of Maintenance Orlando Student of the Year.  Amazed, humbled and surprised, Dusty says that this award is important because “it propagates the will to go beyond the standard. Not just for me, but for anyone aspiring to be an A&P (Airframe & Powerplant) mechanic through AIM.” The most rewarding part he says is knowing that the instructors, student body and school staff, that he respects so much, recognized his hard work.

Motivated by his fellow aircraft maintainers in the military and his family to pursue becoming an A&P mechanic, Dusty, a married father of 2 toddlers states, “I constantly had to remind myself that school and the part-time work, were temporary and the A&P license is permanent.” Attaining his A&P license was always at the top of his list. He enjoys playing musical instruments, writing and recording music, competitive gaming, and camping with his family.

Dusty grew up in the small town of Baxley, GA and proudly served in the US military. He still serves in the Army Reserves. While deployed to Afghanistan he realized that becoming an Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) was what he wanted to do. He stated, “My unit maintained a fleet of MEDEVAC aircraft that rendered first aid to wounded soldiers in the field and transported them to the infirmary. Knowing that the aircraft I maintained helped save lives gave me reason to become an AMT.” Currently, he is an AMT with Constant Aviation in Sanford, FL.

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