VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – In early November, the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Oceana successfully conducted a pilot for the Electrical Wiring Interconnect Systems (EWIS)/ Advanced Wire Repair (AWR) course.
 
All Naval aircraft are filled with miles of wiring and hundreds of wiring devices that connect and transfer power and signals to and from electrical components, and these aircraft systems rely heavily on various types of wiring for safe operation. 

 “It’s an integral piece to the overall maintenance and sustainment of all aircraft that the EWIS be treated as a system; as a system is afforded the same level of importance as the aircraft structure and other critical flight control systems,” Petty Officer 1^st Class Leroy Kellark, a CNATTU Oceana instructor, said.

The importance of thorough EWIS maintenance continues to grow with the ever-increasing technical sophistication and integration of advanced aircraft electrical systems.  The course prepares the technician to perform proper inspection and repair procedures when working with the EWIS system.  The course will apply to all Naval aircraft. Instructors from ten different learning sites have traveled to Naval Air Station Oceana for the pilot test.

The parts-task trainer is used for the lab portion of the course where students are able to properly identify, document, and correct EWIS discrepancies in a classroom environment.  In addition, it serves as training aid in the complexities of maintaining aircraft EWIS and the many common discrepancies they may encounter in the Fleet.

The trainer has had a positive impact in the CNATTU Oceana learning environment for both students and staff.

“It really helps to reinforce what we learned in the classroom with a great hands-on practical job, “Aviation Electrician’s Mate Airman Cameron Tran, student, said.

 “This new asset is just one of the many valuable tools provided by CNATTU Oceana,” Kellark said.