December 22, 2025

'Tis the Season

As we fly into Winter Break, the pace shifts a little. The classrooms go quiet. We swap hoodies for heavy coats. There’s a lot more night than day, but the lights get a little twinklier.  We make a few paper airplanes to decorate a Christmas tree. All signs that it’s the season to take a rest and reflect. Before we all step into some well-deserved rest, I want to pause and reflect with you.

I’m grateful — for each teacher, administrator, and industry partner who’s helped us build this community in 2025. I’m amazed — at how much we’ve accomplished together this year, from expanding the curriculum to launching SkilRedi to growing student enrollment by over 50%. I hope you rest — because your work is demanding, and you’ve earned it. I feel the momentum — and I can already sense what 2026 might hold for Choose Aerospace: more growth, more connections, more opportunities for students.

And speaking of opportunity... 

’Tis the season… for scholarships! 

Thanks to our new partners at the SkillPointe Foundation, we currently have $50,000 in scholarship funds available for students pursuing aviation maintenance training at part 147 schools, with individual awards of $2,500. In-kind awards including toolboxes, books, and course fees are also available.

These scholarships are open to: 

• Current high school students transitioning into an A&P program in the fall of 2026 
• Current students already enrolled in a Part 147 school  

Students can apply at www.chooseaerospace.org/scholarship. Teachers are encouraged to download the flyer to help spread the word! If you’ve got students with the drive, talent, and potential to pursue a career in aviation maintenance, this is their moment. 

Know this: your work matters. You’re changing the trajectory of lives and strengthening an industry that needs these future technicians. Take pride in that—and take care of yourself, too. 

Wishing you rest, renewal, and a well-earned mug of something warm. We’ll see you in the new year! 

With gratitude,

Kelly Filgo

Director of Operations

ATEC 2026 Annual Conference Agenda Released: Choose Aerospace Pathways Featured Across the Program

ATEC has released the official agenda for the 2026 ATEC Annual Conference, scheduled for March 29–April 1 in Portland and sponsored by Alaska Air Group. The newly published program highlights the critical role of pre-certification and secondary aviation programs, with multiple sessions designed to support Choose Aerospace partners as essential contributors to the aviation maintenance workforce pipeline. Read more.

Choose Aerospace & SkillPointe Scholarship Now Open

Choose Aerospace and SkillPointe Foundation have launched the Choose Aerospace SkillPointe Scholarship, providing $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. Applications are open through March 1, 2026. Read more.

January 30, 2026: OK CareerTech STEM Mid-Winter Conference | Oklahoma City, OK 

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

Visit Our YouTube Page

Stay up to date with Choose Aerospace on YouTube, where you’ll find dashboard training tutorials, recordings from past events, and a growing library of videos to help you navigate the platform and make the most of its features.

Industry Opportunities

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.



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