Whoa-OHH, We're Halfwayyy Therrree... | | |
I was thinking about what to write this month and the unmistakable Bon Jovi chorus from Livin’ on a Prayer jumped in my head. That song has a lot of energy, and earworm potential, and was one of my favorite Rock Band songs on our old X-Box. So, here we are—halfway through the academic year, and we’re going strong.
We’ve made it through the startup chaos, supported our students, and completed almost as many CA courses as you did in all of last year (WOW!). We caught our breath on a much-needed break and now it’s time to let the needle drop on the next semester.
And remember: “We’ve got each other, and that’s a lot.”
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What a great thing to remember! Whether you’re the only aviation maintenance teacher in your school or part of a growing team, you’re not alone. You’ve got a national network of peers, partners, and believers in the mission of Choose Aerospace—ready to share ideas, troubleshoot tough spots, and cheer you on.
So, as we launch into the back-half of the academic year, let’s keep the momentum going:
✈ Support each other
✈ Share your wins and your struggles
✈ And if you need help, reach out—to me, to SkilRedi support, or to your fellow teachers in the Teachers’ Lounge
We’re halfway there—and the second half of the year holds so much possibility.
So, let’s put on our fringed leather jackets, crank the volume to 11, and give this semester a shot. We’ll make it, I swear!
Rock on,
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Kelly Filgo
Director of Operations
| | Choose Aerospace Board Adopts Strategic Plan, Seeks Industry Partners | The Choose Aerospace Board of Directors recently adopted a new multi-year strategic plan focused on growth, workforce alignment, and industry collaboration, and elected Meg Muller of PSA Airlines to the Board. The plan emphasizes partnering with industry to execute key initiatives and keep programs aligned with workforce needs. Read more. | Online FAA General Coursework Now Available as Independent Study | Choose Aerospace, in partnership with ATEC, has announced a new online, independent-learning option for FAA A&P General coursework, expanding access to FAA-aligned aviation maintenance education. Designed for adult learners, educators, and industry professionals, the self-paced program uses Choose Aerospace’s FAA ACS–aligned curriculum and includes support from a certificated A&P instructor. Participants who complete the coursework and pass a comprehensive ATEC exam may earn the ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential, which may be eligible for credit at participating FAA-certificated A&P schools. Read more. | CA Feature Program: Union High School (Tulsa, OK) | | | | Captain Jeremy Weber, a retired Marine Corps aviation instructor, is now leading aviation students at Union High School—bringing real-world experience, the Choose Aerospace curriculum, and big dreams into the classroom. With major industry partners already engaged and students developing serious career ambitions, this brand-new program is making big moves. See how this high school in Tulsa, OK is building the aviation maintenance workforce of tomorrow. Read more. | | Jeremy Weber. Credit: Jeremy Weber | | Apply Now! Choose Aerospace & SkillPointe Scholarship | | Applications are still open for the Choose Aerospace SkillPointe Scholarship, offering $2,500 awards to support students pursuing aviation maintenance training. The scholarship helps reduce barriers to FAA mechanic certification and may be used for tuition, tools, testing fees, and other education-related expenses, with additional in-kind support from industry partners. Apply by March 1. Read more. | | |
March 9-11, 2026: The Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition at VERTICON | Atlanta, GA
March 19, 2026: Aviation Week Network's 68th Annual Laureate Awards | Washington, DC
March 29-April 1, 2026: ATEC Annual Conference, March 29, 2026 | Portland, OR
April 20-23, 2026: The Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition at MRO Americas | Orlando, FL
June 9-11, 2026: Choose Aerospace Aviation Maintenance Curriculum Teacher Training, presented by Oklahoma Aerospace & Aeronautics | Tulsa, OK
| | ATEC, in partnership with AAR, offers member schools access to donated aviation parts and materials to support hands-on instruction. Eligible programs can request items from the available inventory through ATEC’s parts donation form. A simple way to stretch your budget and enhance lab-based learning. Request parts. | Join Our Teachers' Lounge | Looking for a space to connect with fellow aviation educators? The Choose Aerospace Teachers’ Lounge on Facebook is your go-to community to share ideas, ask questions, exchange resources, and support one another as you grow your programs. | | |
The Alaska Airmen's Association (AAA) has a wide variety of scholarships available to students pursuing degrees in aviation. Deadline February 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. Deadline February 28, 2026
American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) offers scholarships through the AAAE Foundation. The scholarships are offered to full-time undergraduate or graduate students who are attending any accredited college or university worldwide. Deadline March 13, 2026
California Capital Airshow offers scholarships supporting Career Technical Education, community college, and four-year college or university pathways. Opportunities are available for students pursuing aviation and related fields who reside in the seven-county Sacramento region (Placer, Sacramento, El Dorado, Sutter, Solano, Yolo, or Yuba County). Deadline May 1, 2026.
Professional Aviation Maintenance Association provides scholarships and awards to current and future aviation maintenance professionals. Applicants must be members of PAMA. Now Open!
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Oklahoma Skilled Trades Education and Workforce Development Fund
The Oklahoma Construction Industries Board is accepting proposals for workforce development projects that expand and promote skilled trades training. Applications are due March 2, 2026.
Oklahoma Perkins Innovation Grants
Oklahoma CareerTech’s Perkins Innovation Grants support creative CTE projects in areas like career pathways, emerging tech, industry partnerships, and instructor recruitment. Applications open March 2 and close May 6, 2026.
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