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Choose Aerospace is excited to announce a new milestone for participating programs and their students—the official launch of the General Aviation Maintenance Credential, developed in partnership with the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC). The industry-recognized credential is available exclusively to graduates of the Choose Aerospace program.
The credential provides formal recognition of a student’s knowledge in the general subject areas set forth in the FAA Mechanic Airman Certification Standards. Students earn the credential by completing the Choose Aerospace curriculum and passing a proctored written exam with a score of 75% or higher. This credential gives students:
For your program, the credential offers a powerful new tool to demonstrate student learning outcomes and strengthen your alignment with industry and FAA expectations. Credential exams are offered at pre-scheduled times throughout the year. Click below to view the schedule and register students. If scheduled exam times do not align with your school calendar, custom proctoring can be arranged—just contact us directly to set it up. The credential exam fee is $75. An ASA Prepware account is also required for exam access and may be purchased at the discounted rate of $35 per account. Prepware accounts are valid for up to two years, allowing plenty of time for students to prepare alongside their coursework. For more information and to schedule your student exams, visit: https://www.atec-amt.org/atec-credential.
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A big thank you to all the Choose Aerospace programs that have already submitted their applications for the 2025-26 school year! Your early action helps us better prepare for next year and estimate how many students we will have the privilege of serving.
For those who haven't yet, we encourage you to complete your application as soon as possible. We know it’s a busy time of year, but early submissions are critical to helping us plan resources, secure funding, and make sure every student has the best possible start next fall. We are counting on your partnership and leadership to keep growing the impact of Choose Aerospace. Let’s keep the momentum going--submit your application today! Please reach out to Kelly Filgo with questions: [email protected] Applications can be submitted here: https://www.chooseaerospace.org/curriculum-application.html Choose Aerospace Students Join Aviation Maintenance Competitions at Verticon and MRO Americas5/6/2025 Current and former CA students recently had the experience of a lifetime competing at recent Aviation Maintenance Council competitions. Four CA students from the Amplifi after-school program in Marion, Illinois competed at Verticon conference in Dallas and two former CA students, now attending Western Michigan University, competed at MRO Americas in Atlanta. The Amplifi program draws students from around the Marion, Illinois area to meet at a Part 145 repair station to study together after school three days a week. The WMU TechOps students graduated last year from the West Michigan Aviation Academy CA program in Grand Rapids. At both events, the students joined professional aviation maintenance technicians, industry teams, and other students to compete in 27 technical challenges. Events ranged from antenna replacement to the removal of turbine blades from a jet engine — offering real-world experiences few students get to tackle before launching their careers. While neither team achieved top placement, they came away with something even more valuable: inspiration, knowledge, and a glimpse into their professional futures. Highlights of the trip for the Amplifi team included a tour of Southwest Airlines' world-class maintenance facility in Dallas, offering students a firsthand look at what their careers could look like in just a few short years. “We saw every single part of the maintenance operations at Southwest Airlines,” team coach Carol Valentino-Barry said. “We got to interview different mechanics and their specialties. They were kind of coaching the students through the different processes and procedures and learning as they’re working.” The students from WMU shared with us that their high school’s CA program prepared them well for their college experience and that they are sailing through their first year of college. They mentioned that at every new topic in their classes, they see familiar material and enjoy showing their professors how much they already know. Their former high school teacher, Clayton Melby, agrees, saying, “I believe that using Choose Aerospace was greatly beneficial for them prior to college... General is not easy... and it's way less exciting than Airframe or Powerplant but it is arguably more important. It doesn't surprise me that they have a 'leg-up' on their peers." Special thanks go to Amplifi teacher Carol Valentino-Barry for her dedication to her students, to Southwest Airlines for sponsoring the team’s travel, to AMC for their hospitality, and to Verticon for hosting an unforgettable experience. Also, many thanks to Western Michigan University for recognizing the importance of sending students to compete and making it happen for them. Competition teams demonstrate the incredible power of hands-on learning and professional exposure for young aviation maintenance students. Choose Aerospace is proud to celebrate these efforts and looks forward to seeing where skill and inspiration will take these students next. If your Choose Aerospace program wants to know more about starting an Aviation Maintenance Council competition team or if your company wants to sponsor a team, reach out to Kelly Filgo today. [email protected]
Choose Aerospace had its fifth year of scholarships awarded to aviation maintenance students and schools. Over $50,000 of cash awards, books, tool sets, and testing vouchers were awarded to deserving recipients thanks to our generous donors. The entire slate of award winners are as follows:   As we look ahead to the next school year, we want to provide an update on how program funding will work and what to expect regarding scholarship availability. This year, we were incredibly fortunate to offer scholarships covering license fees for nearly every program and student outside of Oklahoma and Kansas. Thanks to a variety of funding sources, many students were able to participate without financial barriers. Oklahoma and Kansas have statewide funding models that support aviation programs, and were not recipients of these other funding sources.
For the 2025-2026 school year, we anticipate continued grant funding from many of the same sources. However, with the current focus on reducing the federal budget, it is wise to temper expectations while remaining cautiously optimistic. The expected growth of Choose Aerospace programs also plays a significant role in determining the scope of scholarships available for license fees next year. As participation increases, we must ensure that funding is allocated as effectively as possible. If we find ourselves in a position where more students need funding than available resources can support, we will prioritize proximity to HUD Opportunity Zones (HUDOZ) as a major factor in awarding scholarships. Those who have applied for an FAA workforce grant may already be aware of the importance of HUDOZ proximity in the federal grant process. Choose Aerospace will align with this factor to ensure we are directing support to the communities with the most significant financial need. While we work diligently to secure funding at the national level, we strongly encourage local aviation communities to support their nearby programs, including providing financial assistance for program license fees. Our hope is that every Choose Aerospace program will receive support from the local aviation industry to help sustain and expand aviation education in their communities. To assist with this effort, Choose Aerospace leadership is available for virtual meetings with your community leaders to discuss funding strategies and partnerships. We understand that securing financial support for aviation programs can be a challenge, but we are here to support our partners in making these programs sustainable. The work we are doing together is life-changing for students, opening doors to future careers in aviation and beyond. By ensuring continued access to quality aviation education, we are shaping the next generation of aviation professionals and providing them with opportunities they might not otherwise have. We are thrilled to announce the opening of the Choose Aerospace Teacher’s Lounge on Facebook! After careful consideration, Facebook was selected as the best platform to host the CATL due to its familiarity and ease of use.
The group is exclusive to employees and volunteers of Choose Aerospace licensed programs, ensuring a dedicated and collaborative space for educators. To join, simply search "Choose Aerospace Teacher’s Lounge" on Facebook—it’s that easy! We can’t wait to see you there. Let’s connect, share ideas, and continue to shape the future of aviation education together! Choose Aerospace is thrilled to announce its expanded presence at the 2025 ATEC Annual Conference, taking place at Hilton Norfolk The Main from March 15–21.
This year’s conference is packed with sessions, networking opportunities, exhibitors, and celebrations designed to elevate aviation maintenance education. Highlights include:
The preliminary agenda is live, with more details coming soon, including programming tailored to Choose Aerospace initiatives. Don’t miss the opportunity to mark your calendars and finalize your travel plans. Registration is open, and spots are filling quickly! Choose Aerospace programs also enjoy discounted admission to the Annual Conference. Please email Tarra Ruttman with any issues registering at the member discounted rate. Join us in Norfolk for a memorable week of collaboration and innovation. We look forward to seeing you there! Register here. Choose Aerospace is making a significant impact in low-income communities through its high school aviation maintenance programs. According to data gathered in preparation for the current FAA workforce development grant opportunity, 78% of our partnered high schools are listed on the Teacher Cancellation Low Income (TCLI) directory, a federal resource identifying schools that serve economically disadvantaged populations. Notably, 83% of the students in our high school programs attend schools that qualify for free-lunch programs, reflecting our focus on serving economically disadvantaged populations.
These numbers highlight our commitment to expanding access to quality aviation education where it is needed most. By prioritizing schools in underserved areas, we are helping to create pathways to technical careers for students who might otherwise lack such opportunities. As we continue to refine our impact data, we are focusing on HUD Opportunity Zones as an important part of the current FAA grant opportunity, underscoring our dedication to addressing workforce needs in underserved areas. Want to see your photos featured in Choose Aerospace publications, newsletters, or on our website? We’re looking for images showcasing the incredible work happening in aerospace education. Drop you photos here!
Please ensure you follow your school's institutional policies when sharing images. Choose Aerospace values student privacy and is committed to responsibly showcasing content. By submitting photos, you confirm you have the necessary permissions to share and feature the images. We can’t wait to spotlight your amazing contributions to the aerospace community! Share your photos with us by uploading them here. It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Choose Aerospace board member and dear friend, Dr. Tammera Holmes.
Tammera was a visionary leader in the aviation community and a tireless advocate for the industry. When Choose Aerospace was in its infancy, Tammera eagerly joined our board of directors. Her insights on community-based programs, teacher support, and outreach to underserved communities were an incredible resource for our young operation. Tammera's life was marked by her passion, resilience, and commitment to creating opportunities for others. Even during diagnosis and treatment against a rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer, she demonstrated the same bravery and determination that characterized her remarkable journey. Her tireless efforts to illuminate the path for countless future pilots and aviation professionals transformed lives and strengthened the aviation industry. As we mourn this profound loss, we also celebrate the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind. And we will forever be grateful that we knew her, learned from her, and served alongside her. Those who wish to honor Tammera are invited to donate to AeroStar Avion Institute, the Chicago-based nonprofit she founded to provide aviation career opportunities to underrepresented youth. A fund has also been establish to support her family. |
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© 2024 Choose Aerospace, Inc.
501(c)(3) non-profit [email protected] • 888.262.2367 P.O. BOX 234 • JENKS, OK 74037 |