October 30, 2025

Settling Into the Rhythm

October is here, and with it comes a familiar shift in the pace of the school year. The first few weeks always move fast—logins, rosters, troubleshooting, and getting students settled into their coursework. But now? Now comes the rhythm. 

This is the moment when students start to find their footing. We’re seeing learners engage, grow, and show promise—and that is worth celebrating. Whether it’s a student finally grasping a tricky concept or showing newfound excitement about a future in aviation, these moments remind us why this work matters. You're not just teaching a curriculum—you’re shaping confidence, curiosity, and career possibilities. As always, please share your stories with us. We want to hear from you! 

Across the country, Choose Aerospace programs are seeing growth and success. We’ve welcomed 14 new programs and are just over 1,100 enrolled students—nearly a 70% increase year-over-year. And the energy is just getting started. 

In this issue, we spotlight: 

• A North Dakota teacher making national headlines—and welcoming Choose Aerospace into his classroom for the first time. 
• Three upcoming conferences where the Choose Aerospace team will be presenting—come say hello! 
• New board appointments that strengthen the partnership between ATEC and CA. 
• And a new post-secondary scholarship initiative designed to strengthen the aviation workforce and address the nationwide shortage of aviation maintenance professionals

Thank you for all you’ve done to launch this year. Let’s take a breath, appreciate how far we’ve already come, and keep our eyes on the horizon. There’s a great future ahead for our students. 

Kelly Filgo

Director of Operations

New Group Discount Pricing Now Available

Choose Aerospace is pleased to announce a new Group Discount Pricing structure for educational access to the Choose Aerospace Maintenance Curriculum—designed to make aviation maintenance education even more affordable and scalable for schools as their programs grow. Read more.

Developing A Path From High School To An Aviation Maintenance Career

The 2025-26 school year has seen tremendous growth in Choose Aerospace programs available to high school students across the country. These students are not only being exposed to an advanced, highly rewarding segment of the aerospace industry, but they are also taking meaningful steps down a clearly defined, in-demand career path. Read more.

Strengthening Connections: New Board Members at ATEC & Choose Aerospace 

We’re pleased to announce two important leadership appointments that deepen the alignment between Choose Aerospace and the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC), reinforcing our shared mission to expand pathways into aviation maintenance careers. Read more.

Program Spotlight: New Choose Aerospace Program in North Dakota Led by Aerospace Educator of the Year 

We’re thrilled to welcome Thomas Sando of Williston High School in North Dakota as a new Choose Aerospace curriculum partner this year. With eight years of aviation teaching experience, Mr. Sando is bringing his passion and proven success to the Choose Aerospace curriculum. Read more.

Thomas Sando pictured with his wife Sarah (left), CA Executive Director Crystal Maguire (right), and CA Program Manager Tarra Ruttman (far right) at the National Aviation Hall of Fame awards in September. 

Join Us at These Upcoming Events — We’d Love to See You!

The Choose Aerospace team is hitting the road! We’re thrilled to be presenting at three major events over the next few months — and we’d love the chance to say hello, share program updates, and hear how your year is going. If you’ll be at any of these gatherings, please come find us! We’re always excited to connect with new and returning educators, answer questions, and swap success stories. Hope to see you there! 

AOPA Aviation STEM Symposium, November 16-18, 2025 | Indianapolis, IN 

This national gathering of educators and aviation leaders is hosted by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Choose Aerospace will be on-site to share how our program introduces students to aviation maintenance careers — a critical and often overlooked side of the aviation industry. Don’t miss our breakout session and networking time! Learn more.

ACTE VISION Conference, December 11, 2025 | Session #2660 | Nashville, TN 

Catch our breakout presentation “Career Explainer: Pathways to Aviation Maintenance and Beyond” at ACTE’s biggest national event of the year! Whether your program already includes aviation content or you’re just starting to explore it, this session offers practical guidance on helping students find real aviation maintenance career pathways. Learn more.

OK CareerTech STEM Mid-Winter Conference, January 30 | Oklahoma City, OK 

We’re proud to be invited to this annual gathering of Oklahoma STEM educators. Choose Aerospace will offer insight into new curriculum tools, credential opportunities, and how schools across the state (and beyond) are using the program to create strong aviation career pipelines. Learn more.

2026 Aviation Maintenance Curriculum Teacher Training, presented by Oklahoma Aerospace & Aeronautics | Tulsa, OK

Join us in Tulsa, Oklahoma, June 2–4, 2026, for the annual teacher training at the Tulsa Tech Riverside Campus. This three-day event offers hands-on experience with the Choose Aerospace Aviation Maintenance Curriculum and the SkilRedi platform, along with engaging theory sessions and collaborative lab activities. Participants will connect with peers, share best practices, and strengthen their aviation education programs.

The training is free for organizations approved for the Choose Aerospace curriculum. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your skills and join a growing network of aviation maintenance educators. Register.

Choose Aerospace Branding Center

Choose Aerospace is excited to announce the launch of our Branding Center, a centralized hub where partners and educators can easily access official brand guidelines, logos, and approved assets. The Branding Center ensures consistency across all communications and helps our community present the Choose Aerospace identity with professionalism and clarity. Visit the Branding Center to review usage standards and download the materials you need to promote your programs with confidence. Read more.

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

Choose Aerospace is expanding its impact with an expanded scholarship program, designed to strengthen the aviation workforce and address the nationwide shortage of aviation maintenance professionals. The foundation is seeking Founding Contributor commitments by Nov. 15. Read more.

Industry Opportunitites

Choose Aerospace 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. Current opportunities include:

AEA Educational Foundation - Deadline April 1, 2026

EAA Aviation Foundation - Deadline December 19, 2025

NBAA – Deadline December 1, 2025

Alaska Airmen’s Association - Deadline October 31, 2025

AOPA Foundation - Deadline December 31, 2025

Pellissippi State Launches New Aviation Technology Program

More Gen Z Students Choosing Hands-on Careers Over Four-year Degrees

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

Advanced Air Mobility Promises Exciting New Career Opportunities

Collaborating to Fill Maintenance Gap