| ATEC News: January 29, 2026 | | ATEC 2026 Conference Breakout Sessions Are Announced | | Momentum continues to build for the 2026 ATEC Annual Conference, with speaker confirmations underway and 20 breakout sessions now announced. Taking place March 29–April 1 in Portland, the conference will bring together aviation maintenance educators, employers, regulators, and partners for three days of insight, collaboration, and connection. | |  | | |
Confirmed speakers represent a broad cross-section of the aviation workforce ecosystem, including leaders from the FAA, airlines, repair stations, community colleges, universities, and industry associations. Strong industry support is already in place, with Alaska Airlines Group joining as presenting sponsor and Portland Community College serving as host institution, alongside a growing list of supporting organizations.
The conference will feature a central exhibit hall and multiple networking and social events designed to support connection, partnership-building, and engagement across the industry. Attendees are encouraged to book hotel accommodations by March 2 to secure the ATEC group rate.
| | ATEC Conference Sponsor & Exhibitor Spotlight: Avotek | | 2026 Fly-In Registration Now Open! | | Registration is now open for the 2026 ATEC Fly-In, taking place September 22–25, 2026, in Washington, DC. View the agenda, hotel information, and event details, and join us this fall. | | ATEC Academy 2026: Building the Next Generation of Educators | | |
ATEC Academy is a three-month professional development experience built to strengthen the next generation of aviation maintenance educators. Designed for new and transitioning instructors, the program blends practical teaching strategies, classroom leadership, and student engagement techniques that can be applied immediately in real AMT programs. Led by an experienced educator and supported by expert A&P mentors, each cohort launches with a two-day, in-person kickoff focused on connection, hands-on learning, and real-world application. In 2026, ATEC Academy will host in-person kickoff sessions on:
- April 2–3, 2026 | Portland, Oregon
- June 9–10, 2026 | Tulsa, Oklahoma
- September 21–22, 2026 | Atlanta, Georgia
| | ATEC Academy Mentors Needed! | ATEC is recruiting experienced aviation maintenance educators to serve as ATEC Academy mentors. Help guide and support new AMT instructors, share your expertise, and play a direct role in strengthening the future aviation maintenance workforce. | | LAST CALL: Nominate or Apply for ATEC Awards | Nominations are still open for the 2026 ATEC Awards, honoring exceptional students and educators who are shaping the future of the aviation maintenance workforce. New this year, the ATEC Professional Development Awards provide direct support for instructors pursuing career advancing training opportunities. Don’t miss the chance to recognize someone making a difference. All submissions are due February 2, 2026. Read more. | | Reminder: Choose Aerospace SkillPointe Scholarship | The Choose Aerospace SkillPointe Scholarship supports students pursuing aviation technical training through financial and in-kind awards that may be used for tuition, tools, testing fees, and other education-related expenses. Educators and program leaders are encouraged to share this opportunity with eligible students. Applications are due March 1. Read more. | Choose Aerospace Announces Online FAA General Coursework | | Choose Aerospace, in partnership with ATEC, has announced a new online, independent-learning option for FAA A&P General coursework, designed to expand flexibility and access to FAA-aligned aviation maintenance education. The self-paced program uses Choose Aerospace’s FAA ACS–aligned curriculum and includes support from a certificated A&P instructor. Completion of the coursework alone does not qualify an individual to take the FAA General knowledge test; however, participants who pass a comprehensive ATEC exam may earn the ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential, which may be eligible for credit at participating FAA-certificated A&P schools. Read more. | | Boeing Expands Access for Maintenance Data to AMTS | | Boeing, in partnership with ATEC, has launched a new program providing eligible educational institutions access to official Boeing maintenance manuals for select out-of-production aircraft. The initiative supports hands-on learning and helps better prepare future aviation maintenance technicians with real-world repair data. Read more. | | The 2026 membership certificates are going out soon! Members are encouraged to log into Member Compass to verify their membership status, update the mailing address, and view and pay invoices. Don't forget to download the member badge! | Affinity Partner Highlight: Ekanos | Ekanos is an interactive eBook solution aligned with FAA Mechanic Airman Certification Standards (ACS), designed to support aviation maintenance training and evolving curriculum needs. Ekanos content is engaging and classroom-friendly, incorporating interactive elements, activities, and simulations to reinforce learning and support instruction. As part of ATEC’s affinity partnership, ATEC members receive 20% off standard Ekanos user fees. Click the banner ad below for more information. A full list of ATEC's affinity partners can be found here. | | |
A&P Mechanic, Silverhawk Aviation Academy, Caldwell, ID
Aviation Maintenance Technician Instructor, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Duluth, GA
Aviation Maintenance Instructor, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Fremont, CA
Aviation Maintenance Instructor, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Philadelphia, PA
| | CA Featured Program: Union High School in Tulsa, OK | Union High School is proving what’s possible when career-connected learning meets industry partnership. In its first year using the Choose Aerospace aviation maintenance curriculum, the program—led by retired Marine Corps Captain Jeremy Weber—is already inspiring students with hands-on learning and clear pathways into aviation careers. Conference attendees can learn more during the ATEC Annual Conference breakout From Vision to Workforce: Building High School Aviation Pathways, where program leaders will share insights from Union High School’s experience. Read more. | | |
Choose Aerospace SkillPointe Scholarship provides awards to current and aspiring aviation students. Cash awards, testing fees, books, tools, and more are up for grabs. Eligible applicants must be planning to attend or enrolled at an aviation maintenance technician school. Deadline March 1, 2026.
The Alaska Airmen's Association (AAA) has a wide variety of scholarships available to students pursuing degrees in aviation. Deadline February 25, 2026
The AMFA National Executive Council (NEC) offers three (3) AMFA Scholarships annually. Scholarships will be $2000, payable to each recipient’s institution of higher learning. Deadline February 28, 2026
American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) offers scholarships through the AAAE Foundation. The scholarships are offered to full-time undergraduate or graduate students who are attending any accredited college or university worldwide. Deadline March 13, 2026
Professional Aviation Maintenance Association provides scholarships and awards to current and future aviation maintenance professionals. Applicants must be members of PAMA. Now Open!
A full list of industry scholarships is available at: chooseaerospace.org/industry-opportunities
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