The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is calling for applicants to apply for new aviation workforce grants aimed at developing and inspiring a more inclusive pool of pilots and aviation maintenance technicians to join the next generation of aviation professionals.

The Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grant is the product of a successful coalition effort aimed at creating more federal support for aviation workforce development. The 2018 FAA reauthorization bill authorizes $5 million annually for grants of up to $500,000 for schools, governmental entities, aviation businesses and labor organizations that collaborate on projects to attract new technical talent to the aviation maintenance industry and train technicians. The same section of the FAA bill created a similar $5 million program to support pilot education.

Although not mandatory, the agency strongly recommends prospective applicants submit a non-binding Notice of Intent to Apply by today, January 29, 2021. Instructions for submitting the no-more-than-two-page notice are available here.

The agency will post answers to frequently asked questions about the new program on its FAQ webpage.

Grant applications are due March 22.

Join us Feb. 3 at 1pm CST for a live Q&A on the new part 147. A panel of industry representatives will answer questions and facilitate open discussion on the recent congressional directive mandating passage of a community-drafted rule. Register Now.

With passage of the PARTT 147 Act, Congress directed the FAA to remove and replace the current part 147 with performance-based, community-drafted regulatory language. Get a line-by-line overview of the law, and an understanding for what it means for aviation technical education. The pre-recorded webinar and other part 147 resources are on the issue landing page, available here.

Recognizing the student of the year and teacher of year are two of the most important events ATEC does in highlighting the best of the best in each category. Winners will be recognized in a virtual awards ceremony this spring. Read More.

The annual survey assess key trends in aviation maintenance education--this year's survey will also analyze the impact COVID-19 has had on the aviation technical career pipeline. The survey was sent to the primary contact at each aviation maintenance technical program. Results will publish in the Pipeline Report this spring. Read more.

The ATEC Journal editorial committee welcomes scholarly submissions on any issue relevant to aviation maintenance education, curriculum, and pedagogy. ATEC is specifically calling for papers that support the council’s regulatory and legislative agenda, and generates content for online webinars and annual conference sessions. Deadline to submit is May 1. Read More.

The Aircraft Electronics Association Educational Foundation will award 23 scholarships totaling more than $100,000 for the 2021-22 school year to students pursuing a career in avionics or aircraft maintenance, as well as employees and dependents from AEA member companies. Deadline to apply is April 1, 2021. Read More.

The AMFA National Executive Council (NEC) is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications until February 28, 2021, for two AMFA Scholarships for 2021. Scholarships will be $2500 and will be payable to each recipient’s institution of higher learning. Read More.

The Northrop Rice Foundation has arranged with the FAA’s written tests provider to pay test fees for students requiring financial support. Read More.

The The Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) is a comprehensive knowledge center that includes all regulatory guidance material from the Office of Aviation Safety. It combines a dozen repositories into a single searchable application, and will be a valuable resource for regulatory enthusiasts. Bookmark It.