about

Click to download the informational brochure
The Choose Aerospace aviation maintenance curriculum puts students on a pathway to FAA mechanic certification. The curriculum—intended for use in a high school setting but deployable in current part 147 schools and community-based workforce development programs—uses a hybrid approach to learning. It combines traditional delivery methods (classroom, textbook, and in-person labs) with e-learning methods (video lecture, e-book, virtual and augmented reality simulations and exercises) using a nationally deployable e-learning platform. It is intended to be used in the classroom, but many of the elements can be taught online, or student-paced. Minimal equipment and materials are required.

In partnership with Clemson University Center for Workforce Development (CUCWD), ARCS Aviation, the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC), labor organizations, industry employers, and education partners, the Choose Aerospace curriculum builds pipeline programs directly into higher education and aviation careers.

Through ATEC's network of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certificated aviation maintenance schools, students that take the curriculum will have the opportunity to transfer credit to technical schools across the U.S. Given the demand for qualified aviation technicians, direct-to-employment opportunities are also available.

advisory committee

A team of industry, academic, and government representatives are guiding development of the content. Individuals with aviation technical expertise are invited to participate, more information is available on the Advisory Committee page. Current advisory committee members include representatives of the following organizations:

CONTENT

The Choose Aerospace curriculum aligns with emerging FAA Mechanic Airman Certification Standards to cover the general knowledge and skill required for FAA mechanic certification. Curriculum subject areas coincide with the knowledge, skill, and risk mitigation elements set forth in the certification standard, those "competencies" and where they are addressed in the Choose Aerospace curriculum are available in an excel format here.

The following courses make up the entire suite of aviation maintenance curriculum:

  1. FAA-ACS-AM-ID-FLF Fluid Lines and Fittings (40 hours)
  2. FAA-ACS-AM-II-MIR Maintenance and Inspection Regulations (75 hours)
  3. FAA-ACS-AM-IE-MHP Materials, Hardware, and Processes (90 hours)
  4. FAA-ACS-AM-IG-CCC Cleaning and Corrosion Control (30 hours)
  5. FAA-ACS-AM-IK-HTM Hand Tools and Measuring Devices (25 hours)
  6. ​FAA-ACS-AM-IJ-PFA Physics for Aviation (15 hours)
  7. FAA-ACS-AM-IH-MAT Mathematics (15 hours)
  8. FAA-ACS-AM-IC-WAB Weight and Balance (20 hours)
  9. FAA-ACS-AM-IB-ACD Aircraft Drawings (15 hours)
  10. FAA-ACS-AM-IA-FEE Fundamentals of Electricity and Electronics (115 hours)
  11. FAA-ACS-AM-IF-GOS Ground Operations and Servicing (30 hours)

While the approximately 500 hours of content is intended for delivery in the 11th and 12th grade year of high school, the modular content facilitates a flexible approach to meet a wide-range of schedule and program needs. 

The Platform

​The Choose Aerospace Curriculum is powered by Clemson University Center for Workforce Development’s EducateWorkforce, an online learning platform featuring premium, industry-tested course material that will help prepare learners for a technical career in aviation.
 
The curriculum integrates Universal Design for Learning principles, multimodal content offerings, and state-of-the-art educational tools to make learning more accessible, efficient, and enjoyable.
Virtual Reality Simulations
Nearly 400 virtual reality simulations serve as online labs, where learners can go beyond the lecture to immerse themselves in the material. These include practical activities, such as fueling a plane, and visualizations of abstract content, such as the flow of air over an airplane wing. No special equipment is required to view the simulations. Virtual reality sample simulations:
Video Lectures
​Nearly 150 micro lectures are presented through engaging video for visual and auditory learners, complete with illustrations, images, and voiceover. Subtitles are also provided to increase accessibility.
Interactive Assessments
All learning material is supported by interactive assessments aligned to the learning objectives. Many assessments provide students the opportunity to engage in higher order thinking skills. Immediate feedback as well as instructor-led grading systems are both available.
Open Textbooks
Robust open text is incorporated, including the FAA’s General Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook (FAA-H-8083-30A). Students can access this text within the platform, even linking directly to the related content page from a given lesson. A copy of a traditional textbook complements the auditory and kinesthetic aspects of the curriculum.

instructor requirements AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Schools may determine teacher qualifications consistent with their own state and local requirements. It is recommended that teachers of the Choose Aerospace curriculum have at least three years experience in a technical-related field, FAA mechanic certification is a plus but not required. Teachers must be familiar enough with the subject areas so that they can aptly support skill development and guide students through the computer-based content and any associated hands-on activities. 

equipment requirements

The content is computer-based, no special hardware or software is required. Virtual reality simulations included in the curriculum run off Unity3D WebGL, the list of suggested browsers is available here. Firefox or Chrome are recommended.

Adoption of hands-on labs and projects are encouraged but not required. A library of suggested projects is in development, drafts can be made available upon request. A suggested equipment list is available here.

PRICING

Educational institutions will be charged a per user license fee of $200 per student. ​Schools that participate in the pilot program will have free access for the 2021-2022 academic year.

The Pilot

The following schools are currently pilot testing the curriculum for the 2021-2022 academic year:

Crowley Academy of Aviation, Transportation, and Logistics, Crowley TX
Des Moines Public Schools, Des Moines IA
Dubiski Career High School, Grand Prairie TX
Grand Island Senior High, Grand Island NE
Jefferson Union, Daly City CA
Liberty High School, Hillsboro OR
Mid-Del Technology Center, Midwest City OK
Okmulgee High School, Okmulgee OK
Vienna High School, Vienna IL
VIPER Transitions
To learn more, tune into the recorded version of the briefing given to potential pilot schools in May 2021; the slide deck and recorded version of that briefing are available below.

APPLICATION

The curriculum will be pilot tested by a limited number of technical programs across the U.S. in fall 2021. While the deadline has passed to participate in the pilot, programs can complete an application to adopt the curriculum starting in 2022.

​For more information about the curriculum, see the overview slide deck or contact Executive Director Crystal Maguire at crystal.maguire@atec-amt.org.
© 2021 Choose Aerospace, Inc.
careers@chooseaerospace.org • 703.548.2030
P.O. BOX 234 • JENKS, OK 74037