In the latest issue of the ATEC Journal, Tracy Yother, Ph.D., Mary Johnson, Ph.D. and Seongjun Ha from Purdue University’s School of Aviation and Transportation

Technology present their findings regarding a survey of AMTS faculty needs to support the increased industry demand for qualified technician graduates. This timely research aligns with all our AMT programs’ efforts to maintain sufficient pipelines into the aviation maintenance workforce. Also, an update from ATEC Committee Chairs on initiatives for the coming year.

Planning for next year's Annual Conference on March 17-20, 2024, is well underway! The event promises informative sessions, good food, and some of the best aviation hot spots Tucson has to offer. Don't miss out on the fun, mark your calendar! Registration will open next month.

Each year, ATEC recognizes the community's finest through the ATEC Student and Educator of the Year awards. Prizes include a cash award, provided by JSfirm.com, expense paid attendance at the upcoming Annual Conference, provided by the Northrop Rice Foundation. New this year is a Snap-on donated toolbox for the winning student. Nominations will be accepted through Feb 1.

The Council is currently accepting pitches for breakout presentations at the ATEC Conference in Tucson on March 17-20, 2024. Presentations must be submitted by December 15, presenters will be notified by January 1. Read more.

Students perform better when training and testing are closely timed. Learn how to use tools like 65.80, early general testing, and certificate ratings to build FAA testing directly into your program and hear from peers who have effectively increased student performance and mechanic certification rates.

Choose Aerospace is honored to welcome Kelly Filgo, a proven aviation education and training leader, as the organization's Director of Operations. Read more.

Choose Aerospace will provide nearly $60,000 worth of scholarships, textbooks, training systems, tools, and testing fee credits to educators and future aviators. Read more.

Choose Aerospace and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Foundation signed an agreement to establish a formal collaboration on their aviation education and workforce pipeline initiatives. Read more.

Choose Aerospace is part of a recently formed industry consortium that will study beneficial ways to apply the technology and develop specific tools based on its research. Read more.

Business aviation maintenance specialist West Star Aviation is launching an innovate maintenance technician training academy, leveraging Choose Aerospace's baseline training and Southwestern Illinois College's part 147 curriculum to create a career onramp for aspiring mechanics. Read more.

For more information and to apply, please visit: chooseaerospace.org/curriculum.