|
November is a natural time to reflect on what we’re thankful for—and this year, I have a long list.
I’m thankful for the powerhouse team behind Choose Aerospace and SkilRedi. These are some of the hardest-working, most creative people I know, and I get to work alongside them every day. I’m thankful for the incredible teachers and administrators running our programs across the country—people who care deeply about their students and are doing the daily work of shaping futures. I’m thankful for our partners in industry, who continue to step up, invest in students, and help close the technician gap. And I’m thankful for our students, who trust all of us to show them a better way.
| | | |
But this month, I’m feeling especially thankful—and honestly, a little blown away—because the work of this entire community is being recognized in a major way.
Choose Aerospace has been named a 2026 Aviation Week Laureate award recipient in the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul category. This award recognizes “extraordinary achievements in aerospace,” and if you look at this year’s other winners here, you’ll see why I’m in awe. These are giants of aviation: major commercial and defense innovators, space pioneers, and leaders advancing what’s possible in this industry. And among them… is us. More information about the award is in an article below.
This is about you—every student, every teacher, every school administrator, every board member, and every partner. It’s about your work, your belief in students, and your commitment to building a better, more inclusive future in aviation for them.
So, take a minute this month to celebrate. Celebrate your program. Celebrate with your students. And know that the aviation world is taking notice.
With gratitude,
| | |
Kelly Filgo
Director of Operations
| | Choose Aerospace Recognized with Aviation Week Network Laureate Award | | Choose Aerospace has been selected for a 2026 Aviation Week Network Laureate Award in the MRO category, recognizing the growing impact of our program in expanding the aviation maintenance talent pipeline. Read more. | | Program Spotlight: Charles Page High School (Sand Springs, OK) | | Aviation education is gaining momentum in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, where Michael Palmer’s program at Charles Page High School is using the Choose Aerospace curriculum to deliver real-world, hands-on learning. Read more. | | Micheal Palmer being interviewed by a local TV station. Credit: April Wall | | |
December 11, 2025: ACTE VISION Conference | 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.
| | |
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 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
| | Choose Aerospace Teacher's Lounge | | |
The Choose Aerospace Teacher’s Lounge is a dedicated online community for aviation maintenance instructors to connect, collaborate, and support one another. It’s a space to share your wins, exchange best practices, ask questions, and tap into the collective experience of fellow educators who are passionate about advancing the next generation of technicians. Join now.
| | |
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)'s scholarship program offers nearly $100,000 annually in cash awards as tuition reimbursement for enrolled students, and nearly the same amount in monetary and training awards for working professionals in business aviation, including pilots, maintenance professionals, schedulers, dispatchers, flight attendants and flight technicians. Deadline December 1, 2025
The Experimental Aircraft Association's scholarship program encourages, recognizes and supports excellence among those studying the technologies and the skills of aviation. These annual scholarships help outstanding students who demonstrate financial need to accomplish their goals. Deadline December 19, 2025
AOPA Foundation Scholarship Program has awards ranging from $2,500 to $14,000 for primary flight training, advanced ratings/certificates, and aviation maintenance. Deadline December 31, 2025
The Aircraft Electronics Association Educational Foundation has, since its inception, awarded more than $1.5 million to students seeking careers in the aircraft electronics and aviation maintenance industry, as well as technicians from AEA member companies. Deadline April 1, 2026
| | | | |
