<![CDATA[Choose Aerospace

<![CDATA[Choose Aerospace - News]]>Sat, 05 Sep 2026 10:23:02 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Choose Aerospace, SKILLED Nation Call on Industry to Support 2027 Scholars]]>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:39:42 GMThttps://www.chooseaerospace.org/news/choose-aerospace-skilled-nation-call-on-industry-to-support-2027-scholarsChoose Aerospace and SKILLED Nation are calling on industry partners to help fund the next round of scholarships for students pursuing careers in aviation maintenance.

Demand for scholarship support continues to far exceed available funding. During the last scholarship cycle, 586 eligible students from 44 states and more than 120 school campuses applied for assistance, but funding was available for just 20 recipients. Nearly three-quarters of applicants came from households earning less than $75,000 annually, underscoring the financial barriers many aspiring technicians face as they work toward their careers.

For the 2027 program, scholarships will be awarded in $5,000 increments, providing students with meaningful support toward the cost of their aviation maintenance education.

Industry partners interested in funding a full scholarship are encouraged to commit $5,000 by September 30. Contributions of less than $5,000 are also welcome and will be combined with other industry contributions to fund additional $5,000 student awards. Every contribution helps expand the number of students the program can support.

By investing in these students today, industry partners are helping remove financial barriers to training while strengthening the pipeline of skilled aviation maintenance professionals our industry will depend on tomorrow.

If you have questions about supporting the scholarship fund, contact us. ]]><![CDATA[FAA Highlights Aerospace Education Opportunities for 2026–2027 School Year]]>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 13:58:16 GMThttps://www.chooseaerospace.org/news/faa-highlights-aerospace-education-opportunities-for-2026-2027-school-yearThe Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is encouraging K–12 educators to take advantage of aerospace education programs and resources available for the 2026–2027 school year.

Through its STEM Aviation and Space Education (STEM AVSED) program, the FAA provides opportunities for educators to introduce students to aviation, engineering, airport operations, emerging technologies and the many careers that support the nation's aerospace system.

Among the opportunities highlighted for the new school year are:

Aerospace Workforce Educator Pilot Program: A new initiative for educators serving students in grades 3–5. Ten educators will receive ready-to-use aerospace lessons, classroom materials, interactive activities, FAA staff support and resources connecting classroom learning with aerospace workforce pathways.
FAA Adopt-a-School Program: Connects FAA professionals with local schools for classroom visits, career exploration and aerospace-focused learning.
Airport Design Challenge: Gives K–12 students an interactive way to explore aviation, engineering and airport planning by designing airports using Minecraft™.
FAA ACE Academies: Summer programs offering hands-on aerospace experiences, mentorship and exposure to careers including pilots, engineers, aircraft technicians and air traffic controllers.

The FAA will also host an Aerospace Education Open Forum on September 23 at 4 p.m. ET, where educators can learn about resources and opportunities from the FAA and national partners including NASA, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals and the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

About FAA STEM AVSED
The FAA’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Aviation and Space Education (STEM AVSED) program provides resources and opportunities designed to inspire students to explore aviation and aerospace. Through educational programs, hands-on activities and connections with aviation professionals, STEM AVSED helps educators introduce students to the wide range of careers and pathways available across the industry.

Learn more about FAA STEM AVSED
View FAA Aerospace Education Opportunities for the 2026–2027 School Year]]><![CDATA[Big Year Ahead for the ATEC Credential]]>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.chooseaerospace.org/news/big-year-ahead-for-the-atec-credentialWe expect 2026–27 to be a big year for the ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential.

Participation has already grown dramatically. In 2024, four students from one Choose Aerospace program sat for the credential exam. By 2026, 31 students from five schools participated. This year, we are taking several important steps to help even more eligible students prepare for and earn the credential.

Beginning with the 2026–27 program year, Choose Aerospace licensing includes two attempts at the ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential exam for students who successfully complete all 12 courses and receive their teacher's endorsement. Students earn the credential by passing a comprehensive written examination with a score of 75 percent or higher. The credential provides third-party validation of students' foundational aviation maintenance knowledge aligned with the FAA Mechanic Airman Certification Standards. It can enhance employability for students seeking non-certificated technician roles and provide opportunities for credit for prior learning at participating FAA-certificated aviation maintenance technician schools.

We also want students to have plenty of time and the right resources to prepare. Thanks to generous support from ASA (asa2fly.com), Choose Aerospace programs will receive Prepware School at no additional cost. This is a platform teachers can use to build and assign quizzes for their students and is the same platform used in the ATEC exam. Each guide includes an activation key for Prepware, giving students another way to prepare using the same platform used to administer the credential exam.

We are equally grateful to aviation education materials provider Navispire (navispire.org), which is helping us put these resources directly into the hands of our students. Also included in your annual license fees, the study guides will be made available through a coupon code teachers can use when ordering through Navispire. Codes and ordering instructions will be sent directly to teachers in a couple of months.

Our goal is to identify students who will be eligible to test in May 2027 early enough to give them months, rather than weeks, to prepare. Teachers should watch their inboxes this fall for detailed guidance on Prepware School, study materials, identifying eligible students, and planning for credential testing. Schools with strict district software approval or student data policies should reach out to Kelly early so we can provide guidance.

Completing all 12 Choose Aerospace courses represents a significant investment of time and effort. The ATEC credential gives students an industry-recognized way to document what they have learned and carry that achievement with them as they move into employment, military service, or an A&P school.

With testing, study materials, and preparation resources now built into the Choose Aerospace experience, we are excited to see how many students reach that milestone in 2027.

Learn more about the ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential.]]><![CDATA[Watch: New to SkilRedi? Watch Our August 5 Fam Course]]>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.chooseaerospace.org/news/new-to-skilredi-join-our-august-5-fam-courseIn aviation maintenance, a familiarization course—or "Fam Course"—helps technicians become comfortable with a new aircraft or system before they begin working on it. We borrowed that tradition for our annual SkilRedi Fam Course webinar on August 5 at 1:00 p.m. Central.

Whether you're new to the Choose Aerospace SkilRedi learning platform, implementing it for the first time, or simply want a refresher before the school year begins, this live webinar will walk you through the platform, highlight recent updates, and answer your questions before students return to the classroom.

Members of the SkilRedi development team will be available throughout the session to answer your questions and help you get the most out of the platform.

Join us as we prepare for another successful year of aviation maintenance education.

Watch the recording.
]]><![CDATA[ATEC Seeks Early FAA Testing Opportunity for Choose Aerospace Students]]>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.chooseaerospace.org/news/atec-seeks-early-faa-testing-opportunity-for-choose-aerospace-studentsATEC has filed a petition asking the FAA to allow students who earn the ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential to take the FAA Aviation Mechanic General written knowledge test.

The Credential is awarded after a student completes the Choose Aerospace Aviation Maintenance Curriculum, receives a teacher endorsement verifying satisfactory performance and readiness, and passes the comprehensive, proctored ATEC Credential examination.

If the petition is granted on the requested terms, Credential holders could take the FAA General knowledge test within 12 months of earning the Credential. This opportunity would give students tangible progress toward mechanic certification before entering an FAA-certificated aviation maintenance technician school (AMTS) or beginning qualifying employment. A passing test report could also strengthen applications for AMTS admission, apprenticeships, and entry-level aviation employment.

The test report could further support AMTS decisions—at each school’s discretion—regarding credit, placement, and entry into the Airframe or Powerplant curriculum.

The exemption would not make a student a certificated mechanic or reduce any certification requirement. Students would still need to complete the required AMTS training or practical experience and pass all applicable written, oral, and practical examinations to obtain mechanic certification.

The petition is at the beginning of the FAA review process, and ATEC does not expect a decision for at least six months. In the meantime, Choose Aerospace programs should continue operating under current requirements and keep students on track to complete the Curriculum, receive their teacher endorsement, and take the ATEC Credential examination. This will position successful Credential holders to take the FAA General Written Test at the end of the academic year if the exemption is granted and effective by that time.

ATEC anticipates that the FAA will publish a summary of the petition in the Federal Register and open a public-comment period. When that occurs, Choose Aerospace schools, educators, students, parents, AMTS partners, and employers will have an opportunity to explain how early testing could strengthen student engagement and create clearer pathways into aviation maintenance careers.

ATEC will notify participating programs when the comment period opens and provide the docket information, deadline, and guidance for submitting comments. We will continue sharing updates as the petition moves through the FAA review process.
]]><![CDATA[Momentum Builds Success: What the Course Completion Index Is Teaching Us]]>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.chooseaerospace.org/news/momentum-builds-success-what-the-course-completion-index-is-teaching-usOne of the advantages of a growing educational program is that, over time, it becomes possible to look beyond individual success stories and identify broader patterns. As Choose Aerospace has matured, we have reached the point where our course completion data can do more than document progress. It can help us better understand the characteristics of successful programs and identify practices that contribute to long-term success.

This year we introduced the Course Completion Index, a tool that compares actual course completions with the number we would reasonably expect from a program based on its enrollment, curriculum, and progress through the school year. A score of 1.0 indicates that a program is meeting expectations, while higher scores indicate programs exceeding that benchmark. The index accounts for differences in program size, expected instructional pace, and the point in the school year, allowing schools of different types to be compared on equal footing.

Although the Course Completion Index is new, its first results confirmed a pattern that many experienced educators would recognize immediately. Programs that have completed at least one full instructional cycle consistently performed better than newer programs.

There is an old saying among teachers that the first time you teach a course, you hope to stay two days ahead of your students. By the fourth time you teach it, you can walk in with confidence. Lesson pacing is more refined, classroom routines are established, and preparation shifts from organizing the course to enriching it. The same progression appears to occur in Choose Aerospace programs. As teachers gain experience with the curriculum, they can devote more attention to their students and less to the mechanics of implementation.

The analysis also identified two additional characteristics that appeared frequently among programs meeting or exceeding expectations. Many have developed strong relationships with local aviation employers and community partners, creating meaningful connections between classroom learning and career opportunities. Others met for more than one class period each day, providing students with longer blocks of uninterrupted instructional time. These observations suggest that experience, community support, and sufficient instructional time contribute to environments where students are well positioned to complete coursework successfully.

The broader trend is equally encouraging. During the 2021–22 school year, Choose Aerospace students completed just over 100 courses. By the close of the 2025–26 school year, that number had grown to nearly 4,000 course completions. That remarkable increase reflects the commitment of teachers, administrators, and students across the country who have invested in building strong aviation maintenance programs.

Perhaps the most encouraging finding is what these results mean for newer programs. Every mature program in the Choose Aerospace network began as a first-year program. The teachers leading today's high-performing schools also spent time learning the curriculum, refining their instruction, and building partnerships within their communities. Those investments produced stronger programs over time, and there is every reason to believe today's new programs can follow the same path.

As we continue collecting data, the Course Completion Index will help us better understand how aviation maintenance programs develop and where additional support can make the greatest difference. In the meantime, there is another school year ahead, another group of students entering our classrooms, and thousands of courses waiting to be completed. Every completed lesson, every completed course, and every student who reaches the finish line represents another step toward strengthening the future aviation maintenance workforce.
]]><![CDATA[Help Build the Next Generation of Aviation Maintenance Professionals]]>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.chooseaerospace.org/news/help-launch-the-next-generation-of-aviation-maintenanceEach year, talented students across the country choose aviation maintenance as their path to a rewarding, high-demand career. For many, however, the cost of education remains a significant barrier.

That's why Choose Aerospace, in partnership with SKILLED Nation, is once again raising funds for the 2027 Choose Aerospace | SKILLED Nation Scholarship Program.

The inaugural scholarship cycle demonstrated both the incredible demand for financial assistance and the impact these scholarships have on students pursuing aviation maintenance careers.

In just one year:

1,647 students engaged with the scholarship program.
586 students submitted eligible applications from 44 states and more than 120 school campuses.
72% of applicants came from households earning less than $75,000 annually, highlighting the financial need among aspiring aviation technicians.

Applicants maintained an impressive average GPA of 3.9, reflecting the dedication and academic excellence of those pursuing careers in aviation maintenance.

Unfortunately, available funding met only a fraction of the need.

Last year, just 20 scholarships were awarded—meaning only one out of every 29 qualified applicants received funding. The unmet need represented more than $6.5 million in educational expenses for students working toward careers that are critical to the future of aviation.

Those who did receive scholarships are already making remarkable progress. Most recipients are on track to graduate within the next one to two years and enter the aviation maintenance workforce, helping address the industry's growing technician shortage. Many are already completing FAA milestones, securing internships, and preparing for careers with leading aviation employers.

Every contribution to the Choose Aerospace | SKILLED Nation Scholarship Program helps remove financial barriers for students pursuing FAA-certified aviation maintenance training.

By investing in these students today, you're investing in a stronger aviation workforce tomorrow.

Whether you're an aviation company, industry partner, organization, or individual supporter, your gift directly expands access to technical education and helps ensure the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals has the opportunity to succeed.

Join us in building the future of aviation. Email [email protected] to get involved.

Program Donor Flyer]]><![CDATA[Putnam City Aviation Academy Expands Opportunities for Students]]>Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.chooseaerospace.org/news/putnam-city-aviation-academy-expands-opportunities-for-studentsAt Putnam City Schools in Oklahoma, students spend part of every school day at Wiley Post Airport, learning from educators with deep aviation experience, interacting with local employers, and seeing firsthand where an aviation education can take them.

The Putnam City Aviation Academy serves students from all three district high schools. Career and Technology Coordinator Denise Hensley began developing the program four years ago after learning about Oklahoma's growing need for aviation workers and emerging high school curricula from Choose Aerospace and AOPA. Wiley Post Airport offered an ideal location to connect that education with the industry.

Students make a significant commitment to participate, attending the academy for three hours each morning or afternoon. Interest continues to grow, with approximately 65 students expected this year and a long-term capacity of around 100.

As enrollment has grown, Putnam City has expanded the educational experience surrounding its aviation curriculum. Sam Madewell, the program's original teacher, delivers Choose Aerospace aviation maintenance courses and brings a mathematics background to the classroom. Science teacher Jason Atha teaches AOPA curriculum and will add physics to the academy's offerings.

Joining them this year is Walker Milligan, an Aviation Officer with the Oklahoma Army National Guard. His experience includes flight operations, training, logistics, risk management, and mission planning involving UH-72 Lakota helicopters. A graduate of Army flight training at Fort Rucker, Milligan finished in the top 10 percent of his UH-72 course. He also spent more than three years as an aeronautical information analyst supporting national airspace and government operations.

Together, the teaching team brings experience spanning mathematics, science, maintenance, flight, military aviation, and classroom instruction. Physics and pre-calculus taught in an aviation context will give students additional opportunities to see the practical applications of traditional academic subjects.

“I know we are a unicorn,” Hensley said, “and our students are the beneficiary of this amazing teaching staff. What an opportunity for these kids!”

That learning continues outside the classroom. Students participate in internships and job shadows with local aviation employers, including AAR, Capital Aviation, and JetSet. Graduates have gone on to work for several area aviation companies, creating a visible pathway for the students following behind them.

One of those graduates recently returned to show current students where that pathway can lead. Julian, a 2024 Putnam City graduate who earned his A&P certificate in January 2026, told students that he had not considered himself a standout student, but aviation presented learning in a way that made sense to him.

“That's what we do,” Hensley said. “We help students understand that even though aviation may seem foreign to them, they can get there from here.”

We'll share much more about Julian and where his A&P career has already taken him in a future Choose Aerospace story.

For Hensley, the academy's success depends on the school leaders, families, educators, and aviation employers who create these opportunities together.

“We offer our students a new way of life, to bring them opportunities they otherwise would not be exposed to,” she said. “What a privilege to be a part of creating a workforce for Oklahoma, and offer opportunities for our students to have a real career and not just a job.”

At Putnam City, students are learning that an aviation career is within reach. They can get there from here.

Photo Credit: Putnam City
For more information: https://youtu.be/Ywgwhg41pjg?si=ydgaalUlmPA_t7vr

]]><![CDATA[Building Confidence, Building Community: Choose Aerospace Teacher Training Returns to Tulsa]]>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.chooseaerospace.org/news/building-confidence-building-community-choose-aerospace-teacher-training-returns-to-tulsaChoose Aerospace educators from across the country gathered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, June 9–11 for our fifth annual Teacher Training event. Hosted by Tulsa Tech and made possible through the generous support of the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, the three-day workshop helped teachers prepare for another successful school year while strengthening the growing Choose Aerospace community.

One of the most encouraging signs of the program's growth wasn't found in the attendance numbers. It was reflected in the confidence of our educators. Many of our early-adopting programs have reached the point where teachers feel fully prepared to deliver the curriculum independently, exactly the outcome these annual training events are designed to achieve.

This year's training also marked an exciting milestone as Sam Madewell of Putnam City High School became the first active Choose Aerospace high school teacher to serve as a training instructor. Bringing the perspective of a current classroom teacher, Sam shared practical strategies and real-world experience with fellow educators. We hope to expand this peer-to-peer teaching model in future trainings.

Participants also welcomed members of the newly formed Oklahoma CareerTech Aerospace STEM support team, whose visit highlighted Oklahoma's continued investment in aviation education and workforce development.

We are grateful to Tulsa Tech for once again serving as an outstanding host and to the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics for the generous grant that made this year's training possible. Their support continues to equip educators with the knowledge, confidence, and professional network needed to inspire the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals.

As the Choose Aerospace community continues to grow, so does the experience within it. That growth was on full display in Tulsa, where educators came together to learn from one another and prepare students for successful futures in aviation.

]]><![CDATA[From Promise to Proof: Early Outcomes from Mature Choose Aerospace Programs]]>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.chooseaerospace.org/news/from-promise-to-proof-early-outcomes-from-mature-choose-aerospace-programsSince our pilot program in 2021, Choose Aerospace has focused on helping students discover and explore careers in aviation maintenance. Along the way, educators, industry partners, and supporters have often asked an important question: What happens after students complete the program?

This year, for the first time, we have meaningful data that provides early insight into how students are responding to the program and what pathways they are considering after completion.

Twenty-nine programs participated in the 2026 Choose Aerospace Outcomes Survey, representing more than half of all active programs and nearly half of all students enrolled in the curriculum. Among those respondents were ten programs that have been operating long enough for students to complete the full sequence of coursework. These "mature programs" provide the first meaningful opportunity to examine outcomes for students who have experienced the entire Choose Aerospace pathway.

Because many Choose Aerospace participants are minors, outcomes data are collected through annual teacher surveys rather than direct student surveys. Educators report aggregate information about student completions, credential participation, employment outcomes, and post-program plans based on their knowledge of students and ongoing contact with graduates.

The survey included data on 580 students. Of those, 106 students completed the curriculum this year. More than half of this year's completers came from mature programs, providing the first meaningful opportunity to examine outcomes among students who have experienced the full Choose Aerospace pathway.

The results suggest that students are actively considering aviation-related opportunities after completion.

Teachers could indicate multiple future plans for individual students, reflecting the reality that many students are evaluating several opportunities at the same time. As a result, percentages should be understood as measures of interest and intent rather than exclusive categories.

Teachers reported that 37 percent of completers plan to attend an FAA-certificated Part 147 aviation maintenance school, creating a direct pathway into aviation maintenance training after completing Choose Aerospace. Another 34 percent were reported seeking immediate employment. Others are pursuing military aviation maintenance opportunities as they evaluate their next steps after high school.

One finding is particularly encouraging. Teachers reported that nearly 40 percent of students in newer programs did not plan to enter aviation as a career, while that figure dropped to just 7 percent among students in programs where learners had completed the full Choose Aerospace pathway.

The outcomes data are reinforced by two other topics.

There is growing participation in the ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential Exam. In 2024, four students from a single school sat for the credential exam. That number grew to 11 students from one school in 2025 and 31 students from five schools in 2026. Forty-six completers received an endorsement to take the exam this year, demonstrating a growing commitment among students and educators to validate knowledge and skills through an industry-recognized credential.

The ATEC Credential is an important tool in validating the persistent learning of the Airman Certification Standards for the General subject areas. Students who complete all 12 Choose Aerospace courses and pass the exam are eligible to join ATEC as student members. They will gain access to both employers and schools eager to recruit learners who have demonstrated that they are ready for their next steps in a great career.

The survey also highlighted the importance of community and industry partnerships. More than 72 percent of responding programs reported support from external partners such as aviation employers, maintenance organizations, colleges, and community groups. Nearly 86 percent of those programs rated their partnerships as adding tremendous value to their success. These supporters help students see the opportunities ahead and give them motivation to dig into the often-challenging coursework.

Final Thoughts
Taken together, these results tell an encouraging story. Students are completing the curriculum, earning endorsements for industry credentials, and reporting plans to pursue a variety of aviation-related opportunities. Teachers report that students are applying to A&P schools, seeking employment, considering military service, and exploring a wide range of aviation careers.

Perhaps most importantly, they are making informed decisions about their future with a clearer understanding of the opportunities available to them.

As more programs reach maturity and additional cohorts complete the curriculum, Choose Aerospace expects the quality and depth of outcomes data to continue growing. For now, these first results provide encouraging evidence that students who complete the pathway are taking meaningful next steps toward aviation education, training, and career opportunities. For the educators, industry partners, and community supporters who have invested in these students, that is a result worth celebrating.

Review the data:

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