Texas Border Business
HARLINGEN, Texas – Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus has produced many aircraft technicians who are skilled at diagnosing and resolving a plane’s mechanical or electrical problems.
Those technicians include four TSTC alumni who have made a direct impact on the local aviation industry at Sun Valley Aviation Inc.
Sun Valley Aviation is a fixed-based operator in Harlingen that offers aeronautical services ranging from avionics, fueling, ground handling of aircraft, aircraft maintenance and much more.
Rolando Rodriguez earned certificates of completion in Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology in 2007.
The Harlingen resident began his career as an aircraft technician for Eagle Aviation in Abilene. Then an aircraft technician opportunity arose at Gulf Aviation in San Benito. There Rodriguez’s duties increased, and he was promoted to director of maintenance.
Through word-of-mouth he heard that Sun Valley Aviation had opened an establishment in Harlingen. He applied and became its director of maintenance. One of his duties involves finding new prospects that need aircraft maintenance, and he also supports existing clientele.
In his eight years of employment, what he enjoys most is the company’s family culture.
“Mr. Kornegay, who is the company’s president, and his family live and breathe aviation,” he said. “That is one thing that brought me here.”
Edgar Rodriguez, of Sebastian, always enjoyed working hands-on with his own vehicle engines. He pursued TSTC’s aviation program with inspiration from his uncle, a welder who works with aircraft parts for General Electric.
He earned Associate of Applied Science degrees in Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology in 2017. He has been an aircraft technician at Sun Valley Aviation for two years.
“One of my favorite projects was the replacement of an engine on a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza,” he said. “This is one of Sun Valley’s charter planes. At first it was difficult because of the engine installation. There was limited access to it. We got the plane fully suited. Then we adjusted the engine. It was great to have the engine run and fly for the first time. That moment stayed with me.”
Saul Pena, of Roma, grew an interest in aviation through a family friend who is a pilot.
“I used to work on minor mechanics with my father,” he said. “The pilot suggested that I try out becoming an aircraft mechanic. I worked in the oil field industry to save up money for TSTC’s aviation program. Then I enrolled.”
Pena earned Associate of Applied Science degrees in Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology in 2018. His career as an aircraft technician at Sun Valley Aviation began two years ago.
