Choose Aerospace educators from across the country gathered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, June 9–11 for our fifth annual Teacher Training event. Hosted by Tulsa Tech and made possible through the generous support of the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, the three-day workshop helped teachers prepare for another successful school year while strengthening the growing Choose Aerospace community.

One of the most encouraging signs of the program's growth wasn't found in the attendance numbers. It was reflected in the confidence of our educators. Many of our early-adopting programs have reached the point where teachers feel fully prepared to deliver the curriculum independently, exactly the outcome these annual training events are designed to achieve.

This year's training also marked an exciting milestone as Sam Madewell of Putnam City High School became the first active Choose Aerospace high school teacher to serve as a training instructor. Bringing the perspective of a current classroom teacher, Sam shared practical strategies and real-world experience with fellow educators. We hope to expand this peer-to-peer teaching model in future trainings.

Participants also welcomed members of the newly formed Oklahoma CareerTech Aerospace STEM support team, whose visit highlighted Oklahoma's continued investment in aviation education and workforce development.

We are grateful to Tulsa Tech for once again serving as an outstanding host and to the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics for the generous grant that made this year's training possible. Their support continues to equip educators with the knowledge, confidence, and professional network needed to inspire the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals.

​As the Choose Aerospace community continues to grow, so does the experience within it. That growth was on full display in Tulsa, where educators came together to learn from one another and prepare students for successful futures in aviation.

Since our pilot program in 2021, Choose Aerospace has focused on helping students discover and explore careers in aviation maintenance. Along the way, educators, industry partners, and supporters have often asked an important question: What happens after students complete the program?

This year, for the first time, we have meaningful data that provides early insight into how students are responding to the program and what pathways they are considering after completion.

Twenty-nine programs participated in the 2026 Choose Aerospace Outcomes Survey, representing more than half of all active programs and nearly half of all students enrolled in the curriculum. Among those respondents were ten programs that have been operating long enough for students to complete the full sequence of coursework. These "mature programs" provide the first meaningful opportunity to examine outcomes for students who have experienced the entire Choose Aerospace pathway.

Because many Choose Aerospace participants are minors, outcomes data are collected through annual teacher surveys rather than direct student surveys. Educators report aggregate information about student completions, credential participation, employment outcomes, and post-program plans based on their knowledge of students and ongoing contact with graduates.

The survey included data on 580 students. Of those, 106 students completed the curriculum this year. More than half of this year's completers came from mature programs, providing the first meaningful opportunity to examine outcomes among students who have experienced the full Choose Aerospace pathway.

The results suggest that students are actively considering aviation-related opportunities after completion.

Teachers could indicate multiple future plans for individual students, reflecting the reality that many students are evaluating several opportunities at the same time. As a result, percentages should be understood as measures of interest and intent rather than exclusive categories.

Teachers reported that 37 percent of completers plan to attend an FAA-certificated Part 147 aviation maintenance school, creating a direct pathway into aviation maintenance training after completing Choose Aerospace. Another 34 percent were reported seeking immediate employment. Others are pursuing military aviation maintenance opportunities as they evaluate their next steps after high school.

One finding is particularly encouraging. Teachers reported that nearly 40 percent of students in newer programs did not plan to enter aviation as a career, while that figure dropped to just 7 percent among students in programs where learners had completed the full Choose Aerospace pathway.

The outcomes data are reinforced by two other topics.

There is growing participation in the ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential Exam. In 2024, four students from a single school sat for the credential exam. That number grew to 11 students from one school in 2025 and 31 students from five schools in 2026. Forty-six completers received an endorsement to take the exam this year, demonstrating a growing commitment among students and educators to validate knowledge and skills through an industry-recognized credential.

The ATEC Credential is an important tool in validating the persistent learning of the Airman Certification Standards for the General subject areas. Students who complete all 12 Choose Aerospace courses and pass the exam are eligible to join ATEC as student members. They will gain access to both employers and schools eager to recruit learners who have demonstrated that they are ready for their next steps in a great career.

​The survey also highlighted the importance of community and industry partnerships. More than 72 percent of responding programs reported support from external partners such as aviation employers, maintenance organizations, colleges, and community groups. Nearly 86 percent of those programs rated their partnerships as adding tremendous value to their success. These supporters help students see the opportunities ahead and give them motivation to dig into the often-challenging coursework.

Final Thoughts
Taken together, these results tell an encouraging story. Students are completing the curriculum, earning endorsements for industry credentials, and reporting plans to pursue a variety of aviation-related opportunities. Teachers report that students are applying to A&P schools, seeking employment, considering military service, and exploring a wide range of aviation careers.

Perhaps most importantly, they are making informed decisions about their future with a clearer understanding of the opportunities available to them.

As more programs reach maturity and additional cohorts complete the curriculum, Choose Aerospace expects the quality and depth of outcomes data to continue growing. For now, these first results provide encouraging evidence that students who complete the pathway are taking meaningful next steps toward aviation education, training, and career opportunities. For the educators, industry partners, and community supporters who have invested in these students, that is a result worth celebrating.

Review the data: