UTI-Houston Aviation Students Earn First Place at 2025 Aerospace Maintenance Competition

Competing against 48 schools, the team achieved multiple top 10 finishes.

PHOENIX, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute (UTI), the transportation, skilled trades, electrical, and energy education division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc., today announced that students from the UTI-Houston campus earned national recognition at the 2025 Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC) held alongside the annual MRO Americas conference in Atlanta.

The competition brings together the best and brightest in aviation maintenance—from students to seasoned professionals—to compete in hands-on challenges that mirror real-world industry scenarios. UTI's continued success at this national competition reflects the strength of its career-focused training program aligned to high industry standards.

Sponsored by United Airlines, the UTI-Houston team competed against 48 schools and professional teams from across the country and internationally, securing top 10 finishes in eight categories, including two first-place awards.

• 1st Place – StandardAero Engine Fan Blade Removal
• 1st Place – Fast Wiring Diagnostics, sponsored by WiN MS AERO Smart
• 2nd Place – Render Safe, sponsored by United Airlines
• 2nd Place – Antenna Gasket Installation Test, sponsored by Av-DEC
• 4th Place – Aircraft Tire Inspection, sponsored by Michelin
• 6th Place – Precision Torque Application, sponsored by Snap-on
• 7th Place – Cargo Floor Lock, sponsored by FedEx
• 10th Place – Fuel Nozzle Replacement, sponsored by Pratt & Whitney

Under the guidance of instructors and coaches Joseph Pradia and Joseph Parker, the team included:

• Team Lead: DeAnte Herbin
• Members: Aristotle Embuscado, Adrian Castillo, Christian Campbell, Nicholas Day, and Hunter Fricano
• Alternates: Ruben Landaverde, Grayson Galvin, Adrian Pope, and McKenzie Eck

"We are incredibly proud of the UTI-Houston team's performance," said Tracy Lorenz, Division President, Universal Technical Institute. "Their success underscores our rigorous education program, the unwavering dedication of our program instructors, and these students' exceptional hard work and commitment to excellence."

Two students, Adrian Pope and McKenzie Eck, were also recognized as Phoebe Omlie Scholarship recipients—an award that honors future aviation maintenance professionals.

To learn more about Universal Technical Institute's aviation programs, visit www.uti.edu.