| ATEC News: April 29, 2025 | | Shaping the Future: A Recap of the ATEC Annual Conference | | |
The 2025 ATEC Annual Conference in Norfolk was a huge success! Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Piedmont Airlines, and our host, the Aviation Institute of Maintenance. And of course, we couldn't have done it without our sponsors, speakers, and exhibitors. Members and conference attendees can view presentations, photos, session recordings and more here.
Don't forget to mark your calendar for the 2026 Annual Conference in Portland March 29-April 1!
| | | Congratulations to ATEC Student and Educator of the Year | | An instructor from California Aeronautical University and a student from Alabama Aviation College have been recognized with the 2025 Aviation Technician Education Council’s highest honors. These annual awards, made possible through the generous support of the Northrop Rice Foundation, JSfirm.com, and Snap-on, celebrate excellence in aviation maintenance education and student achievement. Read more. | | From left to right: Kelly Filgo, Choose Aerospace, Stan Smith, Alabama Aviation College, Laurie Elliott, JS Firm, Brittany McFadden, Award Winner, John Gamble, Snap-on | | From left to right: Kelly Filgo, Choose Aerospace, Michael Berry, California Aeronautical University, Omar Aquilera, Award Winner, Laurie Elliott, JS Firm | |
Not able to Join us? See What you Missed! | |
Join Us Next Year in Portland | Planning is underway for the 2026 conference in Portland, mark your calendar for March 29 to April 1. Early sponsorship and exhibitor registration is open, opportunities are limited so reserve your spot now to maximize visibility and lock in premier placement. | | ATEC Board: Meeting Recap and Call for Nominations | | |
ATEC’s Board met in Norfolk alongside our record-breaking annual conference (306 attendees strong!). Directors provided updates on ATEC Academy, a strong financial outlook, and a deep dive into regulatory priorities including DME access and ACS reform. Choose Aerospace continues its growth streak with 951 students enrolled, and plans are ramping up for the 2025 DC Fly-in. The board greenlit a new member benefit through Xennial and discussed refining our current referral programs.
We’re calling for nominations! With two board seats opening—including one AMTS and one high school rep—members are encouraged to submit nominations by July 15. Read more.
| | LAST CALL! ATEC Journal: Call for Papers | The ATEC Journal is a peer-reviewed, biannual electronic publication. The publication provides an opportunity for educators, administrators, students and industry personnel to share teaching techniques and research. Submissions for the spring issue are due May 1. Read more. | | ATEC Annual Survey Coming to Your Inbox | | It's that time of year again where we are asking all part 147 schools to participate in an annual survey that will help drive the data used for the Pipeline Report (released at the Fly-in). The main point of contact for all part 147 members received an email last week to update the organization's profile, the full member survey request will go to that same person this week. If you are the POC for your organization and did not receive the request to update your profile, please email Tarra Ruttman. | | ATEC Annual Conference: Call for Presentations | | The Council is currently accepting pitches for breakout presentations at the ATEC Conference in Portland on March 29 - April 1, 2026. Professionals from all segments of the aviation maintenance industry, members and non-members alike, are invited to submit a presentation abstract for consideration. The submission deadline is October 1. Read more. | | Join us in September for the ATEC Fly-in | | |
ATEC members will once again crisscross the nation's capital to meet with members of Congress on issues impacting aviation maintenance technician education. The event will include a roundtable discussion with FAA officials, briefings by congressional staff, and ATEC-facilitated meetings with elected lawmakers. Register here.
Sponsorship opportunities are available! This event wouldn't be possible without our generous donors. Purchase your sponsorship here.
| | Register for the upcoming ATEC Academy, June 3-4 | | | | Join us in Tulsa for ATEC Academy's Educator Professional Development Course! ATEC Academy is an initiative led by executive leadership that addresses the escalating difficulty in recruiting and retaining skilled instructors amidst the rising demand for technical workforce. Register here. | | A&P Schools Dominate the Field at 2025 Aerospace Maintenance Council Competitions | | |
Back-to-back champions were crowned once again as the 2025 Aerospace Maintenance Competition, presented by Snap-on, came to a close at MRO Americas in Atlanta. Tarrant County College repeated as top overall winners in the school category, continuing their legacy of excellence in the annual event. The weeklong event welcomed 86 teams from around the globe, representing airlines, MROs, military units, and academic institutions. Of those, 41 teams hailed from FAA-certificated part 147 schools, making up nearly half the field—an impressive showcase of student talent and a testament to the growing pipeline of skilled aviation maintenance professionals. Read more.
| | Council Backs House ATC Modernization Push | | The council is part of a broad industry coalition calling for newly proposed air traffic control system (ATC) modernization--a key part of ensuring a growing, efficient U.S. air transportation system. The Modern Skies Coalition is backing a bill proposed by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure that would back much-needed updates to air traffic infrastructure, staffing, and funding mechanisms. Read more. | | White House Initiative Spotlights Workforce Development Programs | | Efforts to boost the U.S.'s skilled employee pipeline received a boost from a new White House executive order that calls on government stakeholders to examine current federal programs and integrate them into a new workforce development roadmap. Read more. | | Contributors Needed for NASA-Funded Aviation Training Study | | ATEC, in partnership with Clemson University and other academic collaborators, is leading a NASA-funded initiative aimed at enhancing aviation technical training standards. This research focuses on addressing the evolving challenges in aircraft maintenance posed by new technologies. Read more. | | Calling All AMTS Instructors, Participate in Research Survey | | ATEC is helping spread the word about a research initiative examining the relationship between instructor experience and student pass rates. AMT instructors are invited to participate in a 25-30 minute online questionnaire to share their expertise. Read more. | | | FAA Publishes Minimum Passage Rate Reports | | The FAA has compiled its first AMTS minimum passage rate report (Q4 2024) on its airman knowledge test statistics website. The data is the first look at AMTS passage rates, but it does not yet meet § 147.25 standards which require three years of test scores. The FAA's initial report includes test results from August 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024. Read more. | | Worth Watching: CNBC Covers Aviation Maintenance Shortage | | One of the keys to producing more aviation mechanics is raising awareness about the current shortage, related career opportunities, and the paths to get there. Earlier this year, CNBC released a comprehensive video report on the aviation maintenance workforce shortage that is worth watching--and sharing. Read more. | | AWAM Scholarship Program: Last Call for Applicants | | The Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM) is thrilled to announce the opening of their scholarship program. The application window runs from March 15th - April 30th, 2025, with the winner announced in early July. This year they are awarding over $36,000 in tuition scholarships. Read more. | | ATEC Supports Legislation Reintroducing the Aviation Workforce Development Act | | Representative Mike Collins (R-Ga.) reintroduced the Aviation Workforce Development Act (H.R. 1818), which would make training at FAA-certified commercial pilot and aircraft maintenance technician schools a qualified expense under 529 college savings plans. Read more. | | Advertising Opportunities Through ATEC | | Reach aviation maintenance educators and industry leaders by advertising with ATEC! We offer several opportunities to spotlight your organization including the ATEC Journal, the ATEC Newsletter, and member alerts. Learn more. | | Post Your Open Positions – Free for ATEC Members! | | ATEC members receive one free job board posting annually to help connect with qualified candidates in aviation maintenance education. To post your opening, simply email abbey@jsfirm.com. We'll also feature your job listing in the ATEC newsletter for even more exposure. Take advantage of this member benefit and fill your position faster! | | | Choose Aerospace to Host Teacher Training in Tulsa, June 3-5 | | The three-day event will provide teachers with valuable industry connections to support their programs and a deeper understanding of the career opportunities available to their students. Participants will receive training on the platform, explore hands-on projects that complement computer-assisted learning, and build peer networks with fellow educators. Hosted by Tulsa Tech Riverside Campus, and presented by NORDAM, the training is free and available to organizations that have applied and been approved to use the Choose Aerospace Aviation Maintenance Curriculum. Read more. | | Choose Aerospace Scholarship Program 2024 Award Recipients | | Choose Aerospace is proud to announce its slate of 2025 scholarship and award recipients. This was the 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. Find the entire slate of award winners here. | | | | The Choose Aerospace Teacher’s Lounge is now live on Facebook! 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! Read more. | | Choose Aerospace Industry Scholarship Opportunities Available | | Choose Aerospace, in collaboration with ATEC and partner organizations, maintains a compilation of financial support resources for aviation maintenance students, instructors, and schools. Applicants should contact the hosting organization directly for more information about its opportunities. See a complete list of opportunities here. | | Sign up for the Choose Aerospace Monthly Newsletter | | Stay in the Loop with Choose Aerospace! Don’t miss out on the latest news, program updates, and industry insights—subscribe to the Choose Aerospace monthly newsletter! Stay connected with initiatives that are shaping the future of aviation maintenance education. | | | | | |
