| ATEC News: December 23, 2025 | | 2026 Annual Conference Agenda Highlights | | |
The keynote and general session programming for the 2026 Annual Conference is now available. Monday opens with Horizon Air President and CEO Andy Schneider, who will speak to workforce strategy, technician readiness, and evolving maintenance operations.
Attendees will hear updates on recent ATEC initiatives, followed by the annual Pipeline Report from Oliver Wyman Vector analysts on technician supply, demand, and emerging workforce trends. An employer panel will offer candid insight into skill gaps observed in new entrants and expectations around professionalism, and a leadership conversation with executives from Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air will discuss recruiting priorities, training partnerships, and future operational challenges.
The Awards Luncheon will recognize the Educator and Student of the Year, new ATEC professional development award recipients, along with Choose Aerospace SkillPointe Scholarship recipients. Breakout sessions begin Tuesday morning, with full descriptions and scheduling to be published soon.
| | Educator Professional Development: Spring and Summer Dates Announced | | |
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. In 2026, the Academy will offer sessions in Portland in April and Tulsa in June, with a third in-person opportunity currently in planning.
| | Save the Date: 2026 ATEC Fly-in | | |
Join us in Washington, D.C., September 22–25 to meet with regulators and congressional representatives to champion aviation technician education. More details coming soon.
| | 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. | Coalition Urges Action on Funding Protections for FAA | Congress is advancing legislation that would protect critical FAA functions from disruption during federal funding lapses. ATEC joined coalition partners in urging the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to move the Aviation Funding Solvency Act (H.R. 6086) forward. The bill would create a mechanism for essential FAA services to continue during a shutdown, including certification testing and safety oversight. Read more. | Crystal Maguire Sits Down with MHIRJ at RAA | ATEC’s Executive Director Crystal Maguire sat down with MHIRJ to talk about the state of the aviation maintenance workforce, the role of education programs, and strategies for building a strong pipeline of skilled technicians. Read more. | | FAA Workforce Grant Programs Restarting | After a temporary pause, the FAA’s Aviation Workforce Development Grant Program is moving forward again, with new funding opportunities expected to be released soon. These grants play a key role in supporting aviation maintenance training and workforce development efforts nationwide. Read more. | Calling for NASA Research Participants | | ATEC and Clemson University are advancing a NASA-funded study to modernize aviation technical training standards. We are seeking experts in emerging technologies, including eVTOL, eCTOL, hybrid electric, hydrogen powered aircraft, and UAS, to participate in a brief survey and a one hour interview. Participants will receive a $200 Amazon gift card. To contribute, contact crystal.maguire@atec-amt.org. Read more. | | Choose Aerospace SkillPointe Scholarship Now Open | The Choose Aerospace SkillPointe Scholarship supports students pursuing aviation technical training, offering financial and in-kind awards that may be used for tuition, tools, testing fees, and other education-related expenses. Applications are due March 1. Read more. | | Advertising Opportunities | | ATEC offers advertising opportunities in its newsletters and major publications. Newsletters reach several thousand subscribers with strong engagement, and the website receives more than 14,000 page views each month. Key resources such as the Pipeline Report and the ATEC Journal also receive steady online traffic, providing ongoing visibility for member programs and services. Learn more. | | |
A&P Instructor, Thrust Flight Group, Addison, TX
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
| | Choose Aerospace Pathways Featured at ATEC Conference | The agenda for the ATEC Annual Conference is now available, with multiple sessions highlighting Choose Aerospace pathways and the role of secondary and pre-certification programs in the aviation maintenance workforce pipeline. Taking place March 29–April 1 in Portland and sponsored by Alaska Air Group, ATEC 2026 will feature sessions on curriculum implementation, high school pipeline partnerships, and how Part 147 programs are using Choose Aerospace to support recruitment and outreach. Additional breakout sessions will be published as speakers are confirmed. Read more. | | |
AOPA Foundation Scholarship Program has awards ranging from $2,500 to $14,000 for primary flight training, advanced ratings/certificates, and aviation maintenance. Deadline to apply is December 31, 2025.
Women in Aviation International (WAI) provides a vast array of scholarships. There are typically over 50 scholarships valued at more than $200,000, including flight training, engineering, maintenance, dispatch, and career advancement for individuals of all ages and stages of their aviation and aerospace career journey. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2026.
The University Aviation Association provides scholarships to students enrolled in aviation related programs. The deadline to apply is January 17, 2026.
The Alaska Airmen's Association (AAA) has a wide variety of scholarships available to students pursuing degrees in aviation. The deadline to apply is January 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. The deadline to apply is January 28, 2026.
A full list of industry scholarships is available at: chooseaerospace.org/industry-opportunities
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