WSU Tech is helping expand access to aviation maintenance careers by delivering its Aviation Maintenance General program through the Choose Aerospace curriculum as a dual credit model with high schools.

The program provides a structured pathway into the aviation industry, equipping schools with the instructional materials and resources needed to deliver consistent, industry-aligned training. Students build foundational knowledge in safety, tools, materials, and basic aviation concepts while earning dual credit.

Throughout the program, students receive ongoing support from a certified Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) technician through weekly check-ins, helping reinforce learning and maintain progress. By the end of the course, students are prepared to complete their FAA Aviation Maintenance General exam.

After high school graduation, many students transition into WSU Tech’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program to complete their Airframe and Powerplant certifications. Having already completed the General portion, they are able to reduce both the time and cost required to become fully certified aviation maintenance technicians.

The pathway also offers flexibility. Some students continue their education at WSU Tech, while others enter the workforce directly after high school or during continued training, using their foundational skills and industry exposure to secure entry-level roles in aviation maintenance and related fields.

Industry engagement is a key part of the program. WSU Tech supports the development of partnerships aligned with participating high schools, connecting students with local aviation employers through facility tours, guest speakers, and hands-on learning experiences. The institution also works with employers to guide their involvement, helping create meaningful engagement while strengthening the future workforce pipeline.

For students, the experience is both challenging and rewarding.

​This spring, three Choose Aerospace programs stepped onto one of the biggest stages in aviation maintenance—the Aerospace Maintenance Council’s Competition at VERTICON in Atlanta—and what happened next was nothing short of remarkable. 

The Competition at VERTICON brings together top aviation maintenance talent from across the industry, including commercial teams, military units, and leading academic programs, all competing in timed, skills-based challenges like safety wiring, torque application, and troubleshooting. 

Among the competitors this year were three Choose Aerospace programs, representing the growing strength of high school aviation maintenance education. Represented were Putnam City High School (Putnam City, OK), Rising Aviation High School (Addison, TX), and Project Amplifi Youth Program (Marion, IL – fielding an incredible three teams). 

And then, something incredible happened. Rising Aviation High School of Addison, Texas didn’t just compete—they won. 

In their first-ever national competition appearance, Rising Aviation students earned the highest overall score, outperforming professional and military teams along the way. They didn’t just edge out the competition—they dominated it, earning top scores across multiple events. Let that sink in for a moment. High school students—still in the early stages of their training—standing at the top of a national competition in one of the most demanding technical fields in aviation. That’s what this work makes possible. 

But this story isn’t just about one team. It’s about all three programs that showed up, stepped into a high-pressure environment, and proved that they belong. Putnam City Aviation Academy was also recognized with the AMC Peer Team Award, voted on by fellow competitors and honoring the team that best demonstrated exceptional teamwork, professionalism, and sportsmanship throughout the event. Competing at this level takes more than technical skill. It takes discipline, preparation, teamwork, and confidence. It takes students willing to challenge themselves and instructors willing to push them to that level.

​And none of it would have been possible without the support of industry partners. We would like to extend a special thank you to Southwest Airlines for providing flights for all three Choose Aerospace teams to attend the competition. That kind of support doesn’t just make participation possible—it creates life-changing opportunities for students to experience the industry firsthand and compete at the highest level. 

These students represented not only their schools, but the broader Choose Aerospace community—demonstrating that high school programs are developing real, job-ready skills that can stand alongside the best in the industry. 

The impact of this moment goes far beyond the competition floor. It sends a clear message to the aviation industry: The next generation of aviation maintenance technicians is already here—and they are ready. 

For the students, it’s a moment they will carry with them for years to come. For their instructors, it’s validation of the many hours spent preparing, coaching, and believing in what’s possible. 

And for all of us, it’s a glimpse into the future we are building together. We couldn’t be more proud. 

​This year, Choose Aerospace had the distinct honor of presenting the inaugural Tammera Holmes Youth Educator of the Year Award—a recognition that carries deep meaning for our community and the future of aviation. 

To understand the significance of this award, you have to understand the legacy behind the name. 

Dr. Tammera Holmes was a visionary leader, educator, and advocate whose work transformed lives across the aviation industry. As founder of the AeroStar Avion Institute, she dedicated her career to creating pathways into aviation for young people—especially those from underserved and high-risk communities.  ​

Her mission was simple, but powerful: open doors that had long been closed and show students that they belong in aviation. 

Through her work, she helped build a more inclusive and sustainable aviation workforce pipeline, connecting students to opportunities in STEM and aviation careers. Her message of perseverance and possibility—often captured in the phrase “Wings to Dreams”—resonated with everyone she encountered.  

Those who knew Dr. Holmes remember not only her accomplishments, but her passion. She believed deeply in the potential of young people and worked tirelessly to ensure they had the support, exposure, and confidence to pursue meaningful careers in aviation. 

Her impact continues to ripple across the industry today. 

It is in that spirit that Choose Aerospace created this award—to recognize educators who carry that same commitment forward. 

This year’s recipient, Brandi Peace of Tri-County Tech in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, exemplifies that legacy. 

Brandi’s work reflects the very heart of what Dr. Holmes stood for. She meets students where they are, creates opportunities for growth, and helps them see a future they may not have imagined for themselves. Through her dedication, she is not only teaching aviation—she is building confidence, opening doors, and shaping lives. 

Presenting this award at the ATEC Annual Conference made the moment even more meaningful. Surrounded by leaders in aviation maintenance education, the recognition of Brandi’s work—and the honoring of Dr. Holmes’ legacy—was met with deep appreciation. 

As Choose Aerospace continues to grow, the Tammera Holmes Youth Educator of the Year Award will serve as a lasting tribute to a leader who believed in the power of aviation to change lives—and to the educators who are carrying that mission forward every day. ​

​The energy at this year’s ATEC Annual Conference in Portland was something special. 

Whether it was the setting, the time of year, or simply a room full of aviation maintenance educators coming together to learn, connect, and recharge, the atmosphere felt both productive and genuinely welcoming. It was the kind of environment where important work gets done—and where relationships are strengthened. 

Choose Aerospace had a strong presence throughout the conference, sponsoring three breakout sessions that highlighted building high school aviation pathways. 

We kicked things off with Discover Choose Aerospace, our foundational session outlining the industry’s workforce demand, the current shortage, and the critical role high school programs play in closing that gap. 

From there, the conversation moved into real-world application with Building High School Pathways, featuring Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and regional airline Horizon Air. Attendees heard how community partnerships and intentional program design can create a seamless pipeline from high school to Part 147 schools and into aviation careers—solving real workforce challenges along the way. 

Our third session, AMTS Leveraging Choose Aerospace, brought together Part 147 leaders to discuss how they are already responding—offering credit and financial incentives to Choose Aerospace completers. That conversation naturally carried into one of the most exciting developments from the conference. 

Over the years, we’ve seen attitudes toward Choose Aerospace evolve—from appropriate skepticism, to cautious optimism, to acceptance. This year, it felt like we crossed into something new: a genuine tipping point. 

Part 147 schools are not only recognizing the value of high school pipelines—they are actively seeking to build them. Conversations that once required explanation are now focused on implementation. In fact, I’m now fielding multiple calls each month from schools asking how to get involved. It’s an exciting shift—and one that signals real progress for the future of aviation maintenance. 

The conference also gave us the opportunity to honor something deeply meaningful to our community. We presented the first-ever Tammera Holmes Youth Educator of the Year Award to Brandi Peace of Tri-County Tech. 

Tammera Homes, a founding Choose Aerospace board member, dedicated her life to bringing young people—especially those from high-risk environments—into the aviation family. Her passion left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. Being able to recognize an outstanding educator in her name was a powerful moment for our team and for the audience. 

As I reflect on the conference, one takeaway stands above the rest: 

Not even the sky is the limit for Choose Aerospace—and for our students. 

The momentum we’ve built this year is significant. And while we know there are challenges ahead—shifts in funding, constraints on resources—we also know we’re not facing them alone. 

The strength of this program is in its people; the teachers, the students, and the partners. 

The work you’re doing is changing lives, and it continues to push us forward. 

We’re excited for what comes next.