Age: 25
Years in Aviation: 8
Michael Peer is an aircraft maintenance technician at the Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh, WI, where he helps restore and maintain the organization’s fleet of flying aircraft and museum aircraft. He also helps supervise and lead the weekly volunteer program.
He holds an Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic Certificate with an Inspection Authorization and a Private Pilot Airplane single engine land with tailwheel and high performance endorsements.
Peer says, “I’ve had a passion for aviation since I was very young. I developed my passion by taking family trips to local airshows and being exposed to aviation as a kid. That was when the “seed” was planted that would later become my passion and career.”
He received his training at Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) in Oshkosh, WI. The FVTC aircraft maintenance program is structured so that students can obtain their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airframe & powerplant mechanics license (A&P) in two years of full time class work, and return for an additional year and obtain an associate’s degree in aircraft electronics (avionics). After completing the A&P program he also completed the Avionics Degree program.
Peer says, “I have been fortunate to work with several great mentors throughout my career. The instructors and staff at FVTC (Fox Valley Technical College) were excellent while I completed both the airframe and powerplant mechanics program and the aircraft electronics program.”
While attending FVTC he began volunteering at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Kermit Weeks Hangar learning a great deal by working with the staff and active volunteers, some who are now his co-workers.
Just prior to starting full time at the EAA, Peer spent a month in St. Louis, MO, learning about the North American T-6 Texan and Boeing Stearman aircraft. While there he learned a great deal by working with the Reno T-6 Team, #88 Radial Velocity.
Peer is currently working toward his bachelor’s degree in aviation management through the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh while working full time.
