|
ATEC News: November 22, 2024 | | |
|
|
In this fall issue, we are pleased to present to you a very diverse collection of articles that we hope you find to be relevant to you and your classrooms. It seems that our community has much to talk about as the aviation maintenance training environment continues to adapt to the advancements in our field.
Tracy Yother or Purdue University, Stephen Ley of Utah Valley University and Zack Nicklin of St. Cloud Technical and Community College explore the timely topic of how technician training will need to change to meet the needs of the many advanced technologies present in the growing advanced air mobility sector.
| |
|
Don Morris of Southern Illinois University shares his experiences and insights on replacing diagrams with models for use in the classroom providing a more tactile approach to teaching mechanical concepts.
Denis Manson, AME (Australia), Anne Lomperise of University of Illinois, and Stewart Todhunter of Bond University, Australia outline an approach to English language training for the AMT based on English for Occupational Purposes principles.
Finally, John Gamble with Snap-on Industrial, highlights ways that his organization can work with FAA Part 147 programs to develop more effective pipelines to boost their enrollment to address the increased workforce need.
Thank you for your continued interest in our academic community and the innovative ways our members rise to meet the training challenges in this ever-changing world of aviation. And of course, thank you to the Editorial Board for the amazing efforts that keep the Journal alive.
| |
|
Best,
Karen Jo Johnson, Ph.D.
Journal Editor, Aviation Technician Education Council
Associate Professor & Program Director, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
| |
|
|
ATEC is actively advocating for practical regulatory improvements with the FAA and Department of Education. Key priorities are updating Mechanic Airman Certification Standards to better align with industry needs, increasing access to FAA airman testing, and streamlining the certification processes by transitioning to online platforms and enhancing examiner discretion.
The regulatory committee is also seeking input from community members for the upcoming revisions to the FAA’s Aviation Maintenance Handbooks (General 8083-30B, Airframe 8083-31B, and Powerplant 8083-32B). This is a unique opportunity to contribute your expertise to materials that set the training and standards for aviation maintenance students and professionals nationwide. The feedback deadline is December 2, and volunteers can select specific chapters to review, allowing you to focus on areas where you have specialized knowledge. Read more for additional information about committee priorities.
| |
Sean Gallagan, Regulatory Committee Chair | |
Jared Britt, Legislative Committee Chair | |
Earlier this year, Congress finalized comprehensive legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration, addressing ATEC’s top priorities: expanding the FAA workforce development grant, enhancing airman certification standards, and streamlining pathways for transitioning military personnel. The committee is now working to implement these initiatives in collaboration with the regulatory committee. In September, ATEC members, industry partners, and federal officials gathered in Washington, DC, for the 2024 ATEC Fly-in to discuss FAA reauthorization and more. After policy discussions with the FAA and legislative briefings, ATEC representatives conducted over 75 congressional meetings across twenty-five states. Thank you to everyone who participated. For more on committee initiatives, review the ATEC Legislative Priorities and stay tuned for 2025 Fly-in dates! | |
Annual Conference Committee | |
Registration is open for next year’s annual conference taking place March 16-19 in Norfolk, Virginia! Aviation Institute of Maintenance will welcome attendees to its headquarters’ city, alongside presenting sponsor Piedmont Airlines. Next year’s conference promises engaging sessions, delicious food, scenic waterfront views, and impactful tours. The agenda is in development, look for it to publish in the next few months. Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Learn more here. We look forward to seeing you there! | |
Nicole Gleaton, Meeting Planning Chair | |
Mike Sasso, ATEC Academy Chair | |
|
The ATEC Academy, a board-led initiative, is committed to tackling the challenges of recruiting and retaining skilled aviation instructors in response to the increasing demand for technical expertise. Under the guidance of an experienced educator and supported by master A&P instructors, the Academy is currently running its second cohort of students and will launch a third cohort in conjunction with the annual conference in March. This comprehensive program includes two days of in-person training supplemented by virtual modules over three months. Participants engage with key topics such as active teaching strategies, student behavior management, assessment methods, lesson planning, and current trends in technical training. While initially designed for new secondary and post-secondary instructors, the program has proven invaluable for both industry trainers and seasoned educators.
Facilitators have incorporated feedback and lessons learned from the initial course to enhance the curriculum, including a new section dedicated to teaching hands-on labs. To ensure a personalized learning experience, enrollment is limited to just 20 seats. We are now accepting registrations for our third cohort, which will kick off on March 15-16, just before the ATEC Annual Conference in Norfolk. Reserve your spot today.
| |
ATEC’s flagship initiative, Choose Aerospace, continues its mission to strengthen talent pipelines into aviation and Part 147 programs. Since its inception in 2021, the Choose Aerospace general aviation maintenance curriculum has reached a total of 1,513 unique learners. For the 2024-2025 academic year, enrollment is projected at nearly 800 students across 41 programs in 15 states. Choose Aerospace will host its annual teacher training from June 3-5, 2025 at TulsaTech, preparing both new and returning educators. We extend our sincere gratitude to the master A&P instructors who lead this “train the trainer” event, imparting essential knowledge for secondary and community-based aviation programs. Learn more about the training, which is free for Choose Aerospace teachers. | |
Kelly Filgo, Choose Aerospace, Director of Operations | |
ATEC Annual Conference March 16-19, 2025 | |
Registration is open! Don't miss ATEC's flagship event taking place in Norfolk, VA. Look for the full agenda to publish in the coming weeks. Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are available. | |
|
ATEC Academy March 15-16, 2025 | |
ATEC will enroll its third cohort of academy students this spring. The two-day, in-person "take-off" is scheduled for the days leading up to the annual conference. | |
|
FAA's Mechanic Career Info Guide: A Must-have Reference | |
Looking for an overview of aviation maintenance careers and a comprehensive guide to U.S. regulatory requirements for becoming a certified airframe and powerplant (A&P) professional or a non-certified technician? The FAA has one--and it's just been updated. Read more. | |
Now Accepting Nominations for the 2025 ATEC Student and Educator of the Year | |
FAA to Host Aviation Workforce Development Grant Workshops | |
The FAA will host hybrid Aviation Workforce Development half-day workshops on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and Thursday, November 21, 2024, at Texas Southern University. Read more. | |
Call for Volunteers: Help Shape the FAA Aviation Maintenance Handbooks! | |
ATEC is seeking input from community members to support the upcoming revisions to the FAA’s Aviation Maintenance Handbooks. This is a unique opportunity to contribute your expertise to materials that set the training and standards for aviation maintenance students and professionals nationwide. Read more. | |
Industry To FAA: Improve Rulemaking Transparency | |
ATEC is part of a broad coalition of industry organizations seeking more informed engagement and transparency from the FAA when the agency tasks industry with developing recommendations for rulemakings. Read more. | |
Choose Aerospace School Directory | |
Get Free Stuff: AAR Donates Surplus Materials to Member Schools | |
AAR CORP., Choose Aerospace, and ATEC have initiated a collaborative effort to donate surplus materials for educational purposes. The donated inventory includes fasteners, fittings, hardware, sheet metal stock, electrical connectors, and wiring – all aimed at directly providing industry-specific items to benefit schools’ education programs. Read more. | |
Choose Aerospace Scholarship Applications Open | |
Choose Aerospace is currently accepting applications for its annual scholarship program. Awards for students, educators, and schools are available. ATEC members, their instructors, and enrolled students are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is February 1. Read more.. | |
Partnership Spotlight: State-Based Collaborations | |
Oklahoma is setting the standard for state-based collaborations in aviation maintenance education, with over half of the high school programs supported by Choose Aerospace located in the state. Through partnerships with Oklahoma CareerTech and the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, the state is breaking down barriers, funding innovative programs, and creating work-based learning opportunities for students. Read more. | |
Choose Aerospace has successfully utilized multiple funding sources to waive licensing fees for schools implementing its aviation maintenance curriculum during the current academic year. This initiative has removed financial barriers for high schools and expanded access to technical education. Read more. | |
Hear how our partners at WSU Tech are using Choose Aerospace to connect with high schools and establish educational pipelines throughout Kansas. In this episode of Tech Talk with WSU Tech, Dr. Sheree Utash is joined by Jena Roth, Dean of High School Partnerships & Community Outreach, to discuss the Kansas Choose Aerospace initiative. Read more. | | | | |
