Aims Community College is set to open a new Aircraft Maintenance Training Center along with the launch of an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (A&P) degree program in January 2026. At its November meeting, the Aims Community College Board of Trustees approved creating the A&P degree program, along with an allotted $21.8 million to complete and […]
Aviation Education
NASA Seeks Students to Imagine Nuclear Powered Space Missions
The third Power to Explore Student Challenge from NASA is underway. The writing challenge invites K-12th grade students in the United States to learn about radioisotope power systems, a type of nuclear battery integral to many of NASA’s far-reaching space missions, and then write an essay about a new powered mission for the agency. For […]
Wings for Dreams Event Raises Record-Setting $4.5 Million for Wichita Children’s Home
Textron Aviation and its donor partners set another fundraising record at its Wings for Dreams event earlier this month. The company-sponsored event raised more than $4.5 million to provide support for the Wichita Children’s Home and its CrossRoads program. The CrossRoads program is a low-barrier shelter and drop-in center for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth […]
Liberty University Expands Pilot Training Program with 16 Additional Cessna Skyhawks
Textron Aviation has announced an agreement with Liberty University for the purchase of 16 Cessna Skyhawks to be delivered beginning in 2026. The aircraft will add to Liberty University’s existing fleet of 24 Skyhawks to ensure that the university’s students receive the highest quality pilot training aircraft available. “We are proud to support Liberty University’s […]
Women’s Aviation Career Symposium Set for Sixth Year to Promote Networking, Education and Scholarships and Careers in Aviation
The Women’s Aviation Career Symposium (WACS) will be held for the sixth year on March 16, 2024. WACS is a professional career conference for women from high school junior through retirement and will take place at the Western Michigan University College of Aviation in Battle Creek, Michigan. Designed to introduce women to aviation and to […]
Innovative Approaches and Technologies Using VR Can Improve Pilot Training and Address Pilot Shortage
Guest Commentary By Vance Hilderman In the past summer, 61 percent of travelers experienced a flight delay or cancellation, and I was one of them. The aviation industry and the government have been working to solve the problem. But it only seems to be getting worse, due in large part to the fact that there […]
Aviation Innovation and Maintenance Center of Excellence Set to Reach New Heights in Salina
Serving as a catalyst for future aviation growth in Salina and throughout Kansas, the Aviation Innovation and Maintenance (AIM) Center of Excellence has taken the first step to address the shortage of skilled workers hindering the growth and competitiveness of the aviation maintenance industry in Kansas. The AIM Center of Excellence apprenticeship training program will […]
AOPA and Choose Aerospace to Partner on Aviation Education, Workforce Development
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Foundation and Choose Aerospace signed an agreement to establish a formal collaboration on their aviation education and workforce pipeline initiatives. The parties will collaborate to “identify curriculum alignment, jointly promote each other’s educational materials, and pursue grant funding opportunities related to aviation,” according to the memorandum of understanding. The […]
American Airlines and CR Smith Museum Launch AvEd Program Bridging the Classroom and Industry
Photo above – Students at the CR Smith Museum’s annual Aviation Career Day in 2022 were coached on flight simulators by students attending the American Airlines Cadet Academy. American Airlines and the CR Smith Museum are teaming up to introduce a new education program to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals. The multi-year Aviation […]
Textron Aviation’s Maintenance and Paint Apprenticeship Programs Recognized by the Kansas Department of Commerce
Textron Aviation has announced that its Maintenance and Paint Apprenticeship programs have officially been recognized as state-registered apprenticeships through the Kansas Department of Commerce. The two-year programs support the company’s long-term strategic workforce plan and offer prospective and current employees opportunities to try new fields, learn new skills and stretch their abilities to build a […]
