Aims Community College is set to open a new Aircraft\nMaintenance Training Center along with the launch of an Airframe and Powerplant\nMechanic (A&P) degree program in January 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At its November meeting, the Aims Community College Board of\nTrustees approved creating the A&P degree program, along with an allotted\n$21.8 million to complete and purchase the new facility. The 37,000-square-foot\nfacility will include classrooms, labs and hangars for students to work on\naircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Aims Aircraft Maintenance Training Center will be a part of the Discovery Air Aviation Campus<\/a> at Northern Colorado Regional Airport, built by The Water Valley Company<\/a>. The multi-phased development began in 2020. The Aims facility will be the second facility completed in this five-hanger development. This project will enhance the existing Aims Flight Training Center, also located at the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics Academic Pathway<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The new Aircraft Maintenance Training Center will be the\nhome to a new program offered by Aims, a two-year associate degree program for\nairframe and powerplant mechanics. In addition to the degree, learners must\npass Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tests to begin work in the industry.\nThe FAA offers separate certifications for bodywork (Airframe mechanics, or\n\u201cA\u201d) and engine work (Powerplant mechanics, or \u201cP\u201d). Still, employers prefer to\nhire mechanics who have both Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) ratings. The\nA&P ratings certify that aviation mechanics meet basic knowledge and\nability standards. Aims is working on approval from the FAA to be a Part 147\nFAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There aren’t many other opportunities like this in\nColorado,\u201d said Aims Director of Aviation Eric Himler. \u201cWe’re excited to offer\nnot only new facilities and new equipment for the students but also a\ncompetitive two-year program for tuition fees.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The mission of the Aims Aviation Department is to empower\nstudents to become successful aviation professionals. Currently, Aims offers\nprograms in pilot flight training, unmanned UAS drone piloting and air traffic\ncontrol. With the addition of an Aircraft Maintenance pathway, Aims will make\nall the main components within the aviation industry available. “All of\nthose programs are complementary,” Himler said. “I believe it sets\nAims apart from almost any institution in the state, certainly in what we can\noffer students in the aviation industry.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n This initiative provides unique learning and hands-on job\ntraining in leading-edge aviation technology innovation for years to come. This\nallows learners to explore emerging technologies and innovation, including\ndesign, creation, testing and more. An additional benefit is that the facility\ncan support in-house maintenance for Aims\u2019 existing aircraft fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n