As we close the year, the council would like to recognize its slate of fantastic volunteer leaders. Thank you to our executive team and committee chairs for their commitment and dedication to the trade association, and for ensuring the council's initiatives remain focused on its mission to promote aviation technician education. Take a moment to read what committees have been up to this year and what is planned for 2022! Want to get involved? Read more.

The following committee briefings are reprinted from the ATEC Journal's fall 2022 edition, published earlier this week.

ATEC President &

Director of Campus Operations, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics

ATEC Vice President & Dean, Aviation & Manufacturing National Center for Aviation Training, WSU Tech

ATEC Treasurer, ATEC Journal Editor & Associate Professor,

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

The council is awaiting FAA implementation of the Promoting Aviation Regulations for Technical Training (PARTT) 147 Act, legislation mandating FAA promulgation of a community-drafted, performance-based part 147 by March 2021 (get more information about the rule at atec-amt.org/the-new-part-147). While that deadline has come and gone, we have continued to engage with our congressional champions and FAA officials and expect the final interim rule to publish early next year.

The council is planning a virtual fly-in for early next year, to ensure the part 147 rule stays top-of-mind for our legislative leaders. We encourage members to participate in that event (more information to come) as well as our in-person Washington Fly-in, scheduled for September. More information is available at atec-amt.org/fly-in.

ATEC Regulatory Committee Co-Chair &

Professor, Blue Ridge Community College

Despite another year of unprecedented challenges as the industry tries to regain traction from the COVID-19 pandemic, the trade association again enjoyed record high membership—for the sixth year running. The percentage of part 147 programs that are ATEC members continues to rise, last year 73 percent of all certificated aviation maintenance technician schools were members of ATEC. We invite you to check out the entire community on our new and improved aviation maintenance school maps, available at atec-amt.org/school-map.

ATEC is currently processing 2022 membership renewals—we thank you in advance for your continued support in the new year. If you are not a member, we would encourage you to come on board. Members enjoy a wide array of benefits, including access to industry experts, curriculum resources, and discounts on events and ATEC-developed materials. (To see our full suite of benefits, visit atec-amt.org/members-only.)

With COVID-19 concerns still at the forefront of our daily lives, the 2021 ATEC Annual Conference again went virtual with our first online professional development series. Thanks to the incredible work from the committee, sponsors, and speakers, the event was a success with over 100 attendees. For those that were not able to attend, recorded versions of all the sessions—and other previously recorded webinars—are available in the members-only portal at atec-amt.org/webinars.

The committee is pleased to finally be planning the long-awaited in-person conference for March 20-23, 2022 in Fort Worth. See the agenda, reserve accommodation, and register to attend at atec-amt.org/annual-conference. Exhibitor, employer link and sponsorship opportunities are also available.

The committee focused on two primary initiatives this year, publication of the ATEC Pipeline Report, and enhancing visibility on LinkedIn.

If you haven’t already, sign up to receive the ATEC newsletter. We also encourage you to follow us on LinkedIn.

As we explained in a recent webinar (available here), the final curriculum platform will create new pipelines into aviation maintenance technical schools and aviation technical careers. We look forward to collaborating with the community as we pursue the very ambitious initiative, and spread awareness about the great career opportunities available in aviation.

Every year, ATEC has the distinct honor to recognize one student and one instructor that have made exemplary contributions to aviation technical education. Winners receive a cash award and travel to receive the award in person at the ATEC Annual Conference. Nominations are due Feb. 15. Read More.

Each year ATEC compiles information about mechanic certificate holders, the aviation maintenance technician schools that prepare the majority of those individuals for careers in aviation maintenance, and the companies that employ maintenance professionals. A previously recorded webinar breaks down all of the details, catch it here.

This annual competition is an opportunity for K-12 students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects to meet aviation professionals and learn about the aerospace industry and STEM concepts and careers. Read More.

This model document sets forth all the elements necessary to obtain FAA authorization to provide part 147 content via distance learning. If your program hasn't yet received permanent authorization to provide content online, this resource can help. Read more.

It pays to be an ATEC member. The council has several affinity programs that offer discounted products and services only available to ATEC members. See the full list of affinity partners here.

Given COVID protocols that limit time spent in the classroom, we are exploring ways to provide students opportunities to finish lab work that cannot be completed on school property. What are some creative ways we can use work done outside the classroom to satisfy lab requirements? See the answer.

Register now to attend ATEC's premier event on March 20-23, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas.

The conference provides a unique opportunity to connect recruiters, students, and educators. The Employer Link will take place on March 21 and kick off with a student career fair, attracting students from all over Texas, followed by a networking session with educators. See who will be there and reserve a spot.

Exhibitor space is booking up fast, only two spots remain. The hall will include newcomers Ascent Aviation Services, TestEquity, Airbus, ARCS Aviation and Xennial Digital, who will join 20 other organizations, the largest group of exhibitors to date. Reserve a table.

Join Tarrant County, Avotek, CertTec, PIA, Lockheed Martin, United, American, AAR, Airbus, ASA, AIM, Snap-on, Piedmont, JSFirm.com, Republic Airways, Aviation Workforce Solutions, AMFA, and AeroTrain as sponsors. Sponsorship not only supports the conference, but ATEC activities year-round. Commit here.

Reduced rates are available at a hotel within walking distance of our host school. Book online by February 28 to secure group rates at the ​Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel. Book now.

Come to "where the west begins." Get more information about our host city, and take advantage of your stay to see all Fort Worth has to offer. Read more.

Choose Aerospace is piloting testing aviation maintenance curriculum for deployment in a high school setting. The computer-based content covers the general subject areas in emerging mechanic airman certification standards and provides a unique opportunity for part 147 schools looking to increase program awareness in their communities. The previously-recorded webinar provides an overview of the curriculum, suggestions on how a part 147 program can structure matriculation agreements with high school partners, and a summary of what is required to adopt and implement the content. Watch the recording.

​Choose Aerospace provides awards to aviation students, schools, and instructors. For the 2022 program, $50,000 worth of cash awards, books, tool sets, and testing vouchers are up for grabs. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2022.

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association annually awards cash scholarships to A&P students. This year's scholarships will be awarded to three individuals in the amount of $2,000 payable to each recipient's institution of higher learning. The deadline to apply is February 28, 2022.

AOPA Foundation Scholarship Program has scholarships available for pilot and mechanic certification. The Foundation also provides up to 120 scholarships at $10,000 each for high school students and teachers to train for their private pilot certificate. Scholarship awards range from $2,500 to $14,000. The deadline to apply is February 11, 2022.

Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance has scholarship opportunities for potential and current students, those transitioning from the military, and for guys too! The deadline to apply is December 31, 2021.​