about

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 aviation curriculum puts students on a direct path to FAA mechanic certification.

The approximately 500-hour curriculum was created to meet the rising demand for aviation technical personnel, and to facilitate career path development. the program is intended for use in a high school classroom (years 11 and 12), but the modular content facilitates a flexible approach to meet a wide-range of schedule and program needs.​ The content can be deployed in a variety of settings including community-based workforce development and veterans-to-work programs.

Resources Required

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

Teacher. FAA mechanic certification and/or aviation experience is strongly suggested but not required. In lieu of industry experience, an experienced STEM teacher is suggested.

Training. Teachers are expected to attend professional development seminars once a year. The annual teacher training is a requirement for new teachers. More information is available on the Teacher Training page.

Equipment and Materials. Adoption of hands-on labs set forth in the course guides are encouraged but not required. A full list of recommended equipment and materials can be provided after a discovery meeting.

​License Fees. Learn more in your discovery meeting.

Recommended COURSE SEQUENCE

The curriculum is made up of twelve courses, which mirror the General subjects set forth in the Federal Aviation Administration Mechanic Airman Certification Standards (ACS). The courses are given here in their recommended sequence with links to course syllabi:

1. ​Safety, Ground Operations and Servicing
2. Hand Tools and Measuring Devices
3. Mathematics
4. Physics for Aviation
5. Aircraft Drawings
6. Weight and Balance
7. Maintenance and Inspection Regulations 
8. Fluid Lines and Fittings
9. Materials, Hardware, and Processes
10. Cleaning and Corrosion Control
11. Fundamentals of DC Electricity
12. Fundamentals of AC Electricity ​

Click to download flyer

pathways

​Students that complete the Choose Aerospace coursework can pursue FAA mechanic or repairman certification through work experience or by finishing the required coursework at one of 190 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certificated aviation maintenance schools.

Programs are encouraged to define local pathways for their students, either through matriculation agreements with FAA-certificated programs or direct-hire agreements with local aviation companies. Choose Aerospace personnel are available to help facilitate these relationships. Common questions surrounding acceptance of credit for FAA-certificated part 147 programs are addressed on the Q&A page.

Students that complete the program and are endorsed by their teacher are eligible to sit for a comprehensive written exam and, if passed, earn the industry-recognized ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential. The credential can enable credit at participating FAA-certificated aviation maintenance technician schools and enhance employability for those seeking non-certificated technician roles right away.

Click to download brochure

MARKETING & Economic Data

Materials are available to help programs market the aviation maintenance program offerings, including a brochure, flyer, and parent letter template.

Several resources are available to help illustrate the demand and opportunities available in aviation maintenance, including:

• The Boeing Technician and Pilot Outlook
• The ATEC Pipeline Report
• The National Center for O*NET Development's My Next Move
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program produces employment and wage estimates for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Aviation maintenance-specific occupations include Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (49-3011) and Avionics Technicians (49-2091).

The Platform

​The Choose Aerospace Curriculum is powered by an online learning system 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.

It combines traditional delivery methods (classroom, textbook, and in-person labs) with e-learning methods (video lecture, e-book, immersive simulations and exercises) using the SkilRedi learning management system, developed at Clemson University. ​​

Immersive Simulations

Nearly 400 simulations serve as online labs, where learners can go beyond the lecture to immerse themselves in the material. The technology simulates practical activities, such as fueling a plane, and visualizations of abstract content, such as the flow of air over an airplane wing. Samples:

• Ammeter
• Weighing the Aircraft
• Tube Cutting
• ​​Helicopter Tiedown
• Foreign Object Debris
• Electrical Systems Troubleshooting
• ​Dye Penetrant
• Safety Wiring

Video Lectures

​Over 150 micro lectures are presented through engaging video for visual and auditory learners, complete with illustrations, images, and voiceover. Scripted subtitles are provided for increased 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.