ATEC News: October 31, 2025

2026 ATEC Annual Conference - Registration Now Open!

ATEC invites you to join us for the 2026 Annual Conference, taking place March 29–April 1, 2026, at the Hilton Portland Downtown in Portland, Oregon.

This premier gathering brings together aviation maintenance educators, industry partners, and regulatory leaders to collaborate, share insights, and shape the future of aviation technician education.

Registration is now open, and attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the special room block available at the Hilton Portland Downtown. A link to book rooms at the discounted rate is included on the registration page.

Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are still available for organizations wishing to engage directly with the ATEC community. This is a valuable chance to connect with aviation maintenance educators and industry stakeholders, showcase products and services, and demonstrate support for workforce development.

The conference will open on Sunday, March 29, with registration, board and committee meetings, and a welcome reception. Monday and Tuesday will feature conference sessions, breakout discussions, and an active exhibit hall, followed by evening networking events. Wednesday will conclude with tours and a wrap party celebrating another successful year.

Immediately following the main conference, ATEC will host additional training opportunities, including the FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner Recurrent Seminar on Thursday, April 2, and the ATEC Academy: Educator Professional Development sessions on April 2–3. Both programs require separate registration.

Check out the skeleton agenda posted on the website now, and watch for more information to publish as sessions and speakers are confirmed.

Sponsor

Exhibit

Other Events

Returning in 2026! ATEC Academy Portland and Tulsa

ATEC Academy is a three-month professional development course designed to support new and transitioning aviation maintenance instructors with practical training in teaching strategies, classroom management, and student engagement. Led by an experienced educator and supported by expert A&P mentors, the program kicks off with a two-day, in-person session. Two opportunities are currently available for 2026 in Portland and Tulsa. Read more.

News

FAA Finalizes Guidelines for Part 147 Schools to Manage Oral and Practical Testing

The FAA has finalized new guidelines allowing certified programs under 14 CFR Part 147 to form Airmen Certification Organization Designation Authorization (AC-ODA) units, enabling schools to conduct their own oral and practical testing for A&P certifications—aiming to ease the bottleneck faced by students and address one of the key barriers to credentialing. Read more.

Letter from the President

ATEC has announced updated membership dues effective October 15, 2025, supporting continued advocacy and enhanced member services for the aviation maintenance education community. Read more.

NASA Opens 2026 RepAir: Advancing Aircraft Maintenance Competition

NASA has launched its 2026 “RepAir: Advancing Aircraft Maintenance” challenge, inviting student teams to propose innovative maintenance solutions. Finalists will present at NASA Langley and compete for awards and internship opportunities. Read more.

Perdue Grant Makes Electric Propulsion Curriculum Free for A&P Programs

Purdue University has made detailed electric-propulsion modules freely available to A&P programs, following a National Institute of Standards and Technology grant. The curriculum covers airworthiness and design standards for hybrid-/all-electric aircraft, helping prepare future aviation maintenance professionals. Read more.

ATEC Joins STEM Education Coalition in Call for Strong Federal STEM Investments

ATEC has joined the STEM Education Coalition, advocating for increased federal funding for STEM initiatives including aviation maintenance education and technician pipeline development. This partnership emphasizes the urgent need for well-trained AMTs in the aerospace workforce. Read more.

Member Resources

Stay Informed with ATEC's Digital Library

ATEC maintains a digital library of regulatory resources designed to support part 147 programs to manage their FAA air agency certificate. The collection includes links to regulation, inspector and industry guidance, inspector safety oversight tools, commonly-used agency forms and other reference materials that aid regulatory compliance. It’s a one-stop hub for FAA regulations and policy governing AMTS. Check it out here.

Get Free Stuff: AAR Surplus Materials for Member Schools

AAR CORP., Choose Aerospace, and ATEC have initiated a collaborative effort to donate surplus materials for educational purposes. The donated inventory includes fasteners, fittings, hardware, sheet metal stock, electrical connectors, and wiring – all aimed at directly providing industry-specific items to benefit schools’ education programs. Read more.

Career Opportunities

Lead Technician (Airframe & Powerplant), STS Technical Services, Melbourne, FL

Aircraft Maintenance Instructor, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Multiple Locations

Aviation Maintenance Instructor, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Pittsburgh, PA

Aviation Maintenance Training Instructor, Piedmont Airlines, Harrisburg, PA

Choose Aerospace

Developing a Path from High School to an Aviation Maintenance Career

Choose Aerospace is expanding its high school footprint for 2025–26, giving more students access to FAA-aligned coursework and a clear path to A&P certification. With the industry facing a shortage of 10,000 technicians, the program strengthens the workforce pipeline and supports ongoing efforts to grow the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals. Read more.

New Group Discount Pricing Now Available!

Choose Aerospace has introduced new group-discount pricing for its Maintenance Curriculum, giving schools a more affordable way to expand aviation maintenance programs and reach more students. The tiered model lowers per-student costs and provides predictable budgeting for growing classrooms. Read more.

Don't Forget, Submit Your 2025-26 Program Applications

Just a reminder to submit your applications for the 2025-26 school year! Your early action helps us better prepare for next year and estimate how many students we will have the privilege of serving. Read more.

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.

Scholarship

Become a Founding Contributor: Introducing a New Kind of Scholarship Program

Choose Aerospace is launching a new scholarship initiative designed to expand access to aviation maintenance training. Founding contributors will have a unique opportunity to support the workforce pipeline from the ground up. Read more.

Keep an eye out for available scholarship opportunities here: www.chooseaerospace.org/industry-opportunities