The following article was originally published on arsa.org, and reprinted with permission from author and ARSA Vice President of Operations, Brett Levanto. The student scholarship was funded by ARSA and facilitated through the Choose Aerospace award program.

In September, ARSA awarded its 2021 scholarship to Fawn Carrington of Tulsa Technology Center. Carrington is an Air Force veteran committed to aviation education for life.
​​

The grant is part of Choose Aerospace’s 2021 Aviation Maintenance Scholarship and Award Program. ARSA and its partner organizations combined tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of scholarships, textbooks, training systems and testing fee credits for educators and future aviators.

Carrington took the time to tell the repair station community about what’s gotten her this far and where she hopes to go. Her story reflects gratitude for the help she’s gotten and commitment to the lifelong learning needed for success in the constantly-evolving aviation world.

(1) What made you decide to pursue aviation maintenance training? 
Having contributed nine years to supporting the United States Air Force as a munition’s systems technician, I was privileged to see what is involved to ensure aircraft have what they need to complete their missions safely. I was impressed with the aircraft maintenance technicians from the first time I witnessed them hard at work. I became intrigued with the jobs they had and developed a respect for their dedication and unwavering work ethic.

(2) What experience or experiences did you have before you started at Tulsa Tech that have been most valuable to you during school? 
I learned to be mechanically inclined as a teenager working on my first vehicles. I would obtain the service manuals and figure out how to do my own maintenance. Having this experience has helped me to work through my school projects with ease and to help others along the way.

(3) What have you found to be most surprising/unexpected about AMT school? 
The most surprising is the usage of math in many areas of aircraft maintenance. The math is learnable, even by those who think they are “not good at math.” Everyone I have seen from all levels of experience have been able to excel at the work given.

(4) Other than becoming an ARSA member, what are your goals for life after school? 
It is my goal to continue my aviation education for life whilst serving the industry in any way I can. I have an A.S. in Aerospace Administration and intend to complete my B.S. in Aviation Science following my Airframe and Powerplant certifications.

(5) To help ARSA’s members understand the value of the scholarship, tell us about the expenses you have to cover while at school. 
Receiving ARSA’s 2021 scholarship has made me proud and grateful as it nearly covers my final tuition needed to complete the aviation powerplant program on schedule. The reward allows me more time to focus on my studies for upcoming certification exams.

(6) If you learned that someone was considering school/career choices and they asked you about aviation maintenance, what would you say?
If anyone has a curiosity or passion for aviation, whether they intend to obtain their private pilot’s license or not, should pursue an aviation maintenance program. It is as fun and useful as it is interesting to learn about the aerodynamics and practices involved in making these flying machines fly. The aircraft we have flying today are truly amazing and the learning never stops with changes in technology and the progress our community is making with NextGen.

To learn more about the Choose Aerospace Scholarships and Awards Program, click here.

For more information on ARSA’s broader efforts to support industry career development, visit arsa.org/workforce.

Want to congratulate Fawn? Recruit her? Learn more about how to find great candidates like her? Contact ARSA for a referral.

In furtherance of its mission to create and deploy aviation technical curriculum in high schools across the country, Choose Aerospace has filed a petition for exemption from § 65.77, asking the FAA to give students that complete its Choose Aerospace General Aviation Maintenance Curriculum the opportunity to take the FAA general written knowledge test.
 
While normally reserved for applicants with the necessary experience or education, early general written testing would provide an often-necessary credential for high school technical programs, encourage matriculation agreements into secondary education, and provide third-party validation of knowledge for employers.
 
If granted, the exemption would also provide mechanic trainees the same opportunity available to their pilot trainee counterparts, where individuals can and do qualify to take the written private pilot test independent of a part 141 pilot training school.
 
The Choose Aerospace curriculum—which will continually align with emerging FAA mechanic airman certification standards—is being pilot tested this fall at fifteen schools across the country this fall and will be widely available in fall 2022.
 
Under the regulation, the FAA has until Jan. 7 to respond to the petition.

Pathways to Aviation is a non-profit organization that provides workforce solutions through informing, inspiring, and engaging its future labor force. Choose Aerospace Executive Director Crystal Maguire had an opportunity to sit down with Moderator Pete Parker to talk about Choose Aerospace Initiatives in May. Watch that interview below and see the entire slate of panel discussions, here.

​On May 19 2021, Choose Aerospace leadership hosted an informational briefing targeted at schools interested in pilot testing the content for the 2021-2022 academic year. The slide deck and recorded version of that briefing are available below.

For more information about the pilot and the curriculum develop project, visit Curriculum.

​Choose Aerospace will provide $35,000 worth of scholarships, textbooks, training systems, tools, and testing fee credits to educators and future aviators.

The non-profit organization, managed by the Aviation Technician Education Council, is in its second award season. This year's donors include the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA), Nida Corporation, AVOTEK, Aircraft Technical Book Company, and CertTEC. New for 2021, Snap-on will award ​one student a six-drawer roll cabinet, valued at $5,340.

Choose Aerospace will also provide two $2,500 awards funded by contributions of the organization’s founding steering committee members: United Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, Envoy Air, PSA Airlines, AVOTEK, Aviation Technical Services, ASA, and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association.

Eligible applicants must be enrolled at or teach in an aviation technical program. ATEC membership is not required but is a top consideration for the review committee when selecting award recipients.

Apply at www.chooseaerospace.org/scholarship. 

Download the informational flyer here.

CENTENNIAL, CO – April 20, 2021 - The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) is happy to announce a new and unique aviation program designed to train transitioning military members and active-duty spouses in the important and valued craft of aircraft maintenance. The program is being conducted by VIPER Transitions, an organization dedicated to ending veteran suicide through counseling, comradery, and skilled training towards a rewarding career. AMFA is also excited to announce a $10,000 donation to VIPER Transitions towards the purchase of program tooling—an important and necessary component of our craft. 

Started in 2018 by a group of veterans appalled at watching their fellow veterans unnecessarily die, VIPER Transitions was born from their eager desire to find an end to the suicide crisis. Founder and President Kyle Kaiser, an Army veteran and skilled tradesman from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers said, “We realized early on that the comradery and gainful employment that our veterans were accustomed to while in the military was not a guarantee in the civilian world, and was a critical factor to a veteran’s wellbeing. These issues were especially prevalent in those veterans who did not receive specialized training and transferable skills while in the military.” 

VIPER Transitions is unique in many ways, but none more important than the those who participate in the program. They will be transitioning military members and active-duty spouses that do not have an aviation maintenance background, and upon completion will be guaranteed employment in the field, or the ability to continue their education towards an Airframe and Powerplant (A & P) certification. 

The first cohort is set to start on May 17, 2021 in Anchorage, Alaska. There will be around ten students that will go through an intensive 12-week program adapted from curriculum provided by the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM), the largest Part 147 school with 13 campuses across the US. 

AMFA National Director Bret Oestreich stated, “AMFA believes in this mission, and is happy to partner with VIPER Transitions as they begin the program and expand to other military bases. Our craft is comprised of many veterans, and we are proud to continue our tradition of veteran support by promoting this program and its value to workforce development. AMFA’s donation is in recognition that aircraft mechanics use tools every day to support their role, and we urge academia, industry, and government to engage with this group and support their valiant efforts as well.”

​Download full press release here.

In November, ARSA awarded its 2020 scholarship to C. Owen Ritzman of Southern Utah University. Ritzman is an AMT student whose love of getting his hands dirty is matched only by his excitement at solving complex engineering problems.

The grant is part of Choose Aerospace’s 2020 Aviation Maintenance Scholarship and Award Program. ARSA and its partner organizations combined to sponsor more than $25,000 worth of scholarships, textbooks, training systems and testing fee credits for educators and future aviators.

Ritzman took the time to share the impact of his experiences so far and his hopes for the future. His answers to a few simple questions illustrate his curiosity and commitment to hard work; a story that began in his father’s garage and will hopefully continue in shops or hangars for decades to come.

(1) What made you decide to pursue aviation maintenance training? 

When I was five or six years old, my dad bought a new truck and invited me to help him put the running boards on. I can’t imagine that I was really any help, but I specifically remember being so proud that I had gotten grease on my hands from helping. I colored black spots on my hands with crayon for a few days so that I could show all of my friends how cool it was!

As I got a little older, I told my parents that I wanted to be a car mechanic. They lovingly suggested that I keep that as a hobby. Through high school, I went through a lot of different degree and career plans. Engineer, national park ranger, wildlife biologist and even helicopter pilot. I quickly discovered that the last one made me sick. But when I was investigating piloting at Southern Utah University, I discovered the newly founded AMT program and that quickly proved to be the answer to my love of mechanical work and my desire to not be limited to an auto shop for my whole life.

(2) What experience or experiences did you have before you started at SUU that have been most valuable to you during school?

I would consider two things of most value to me prior to my experience here at SUU. The first is the countless hours I spent in the garage with my dad or on my own, learning the ins and outs of how cars worked. Without that basis of how tools work, how engines work, and how to problem solve, I would be lost in aviation.

I would say the critical thinking I was able to learn in high school is of even more value, however. Aircraft require a higher level of precision than anything I ever wrenched on in my driveway. Being able to have the mathematical, reading, writing and communication skills I learned through high school have been invaluable to me in AMT school. Though I wouldn’t have entered this field without my mechanical background, I would never last without the critical thinking ability.

(3) What have you found to be most surprising/unexpected about AMT school?

Before I started AMT school, I didn’t realize how fragile aircraft actually are. As I have had the chance to work hands-on, I have discovered just how easily something very important and very expensive can break. I had always imagined aircraft being tough, solid, and hard to break, but mindlessly pushing on the wrong thing can do extensive damage. 

Because of this, we spend much more time in classroom instruction than I ever expected. I came prepared for an environment where we would rarely be in lecture but quickly realized that without that time, we would be wasting precious resources once we actually began hands-on work. It was well worth the wait too!

(4) Other than becoming an ARSA member, what are your goals for life after school?

Of course, at my age, plans are constantly changing, but my biggest goals after I finish my schooling are to be able to support a family and live somewhere that I can admire every day. One of the most attractive things to me about working with aviation was the amount of versatility it offers. There is work to be had all across the country. Granted, young inexperienced workers often have to take what they can get. But I am confident that as I gain more and more experience, this field will lead me to the exact places that I want to be. 

(5) To help ARSA’s members understand the value of the scholarship, tell us about the expenses you have to cover while at school.

In all honesty, in AMT school, expenses rack up quickly! I was fortunate enough to be offered an academic scholarship from SUU that covers a large part of my standard tuition. However, because of the amazing access we have at SUU to hands-on learning, the fees associated with classes add up to about 160 percent more than an average student would be paying here.

Another thing that added up very quickly was tools. Despite spending hours working on cars, most of the tools I used were not mine. I would estimate that I have already invested about $1,200 in tools. Some of these are very basic, cheap tools to get me through school, and others are high-end precision tools like torque wrenches.

On top of all of this, there are normal living expenses: gas, groceries, rent, car repairs, dates, recreation, etc. Scholarships like the one offered by ARSA make a huge difference in mitigating these expenses. They make it possible to afford the education while still taking care of everything else. And trust me- the money you pay is well worth the education!

(6) If you learned that someone was considering school/career choices and they asked you about aviation maintenance, what would you say?

If someone was considering aviation maintenance, I would tell them that it’s a pretty fool-proof option. There will always be work in this field, so long as they are willing to do just that— work! But even more enticing, it provides an opportunity to do genuinely important tasks every single day. There are few feelings better than seeing your own effort and knowledge put into action. And what better way for it to be in action than flying through the air?