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AOPA Foundation to launch high school aviation maintenance curriculum by 2028
The AOPA Foundation will expand its free aviation STEM program with a maintenance and manufacturing pathway designed to address mechanic shortages and prepare students for technical aviation careers.
The gist
AOPA Foundation to introduce a maintenance curriculum in high schools by 2028 to tackle aviation mechanic shortages and expand career training.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation has announced plans to augment its nationally recognized high school aviation STEM curriculum with a new maintenance and manufacturing pathway, targeted for rollout as early as 2028. This addition aims to complement the existing pilot, drone, and career preparation courses offered to students across the United States.
Since its inception in 2016, the AOPA high school program has provided free aviation education to over 130,000 students, reaching all 50 states as well as U.S. territories like Guam and the Virgin Islands. In the 2025-2026 academic year alone, more than 32,000 students at over 1,500 high schools participated. The program’s curriculum is STEM.org reviewed and embraces diversity, with half of participants identifying as students of color and nearly a quarter as female.
The impetus for the new maintenance and manufacturing pathway stems from a recognized shortage of aviation mechanics, a challenge impacting operators and owners nationwide. AOPA acting Co-President Katie Pribyl highlighted firsthand experiences with mechanic bottlenecks, describing prolonged shop wait times and the operational strain caused by retiring certificated mechanics.
Industry data underscores the urgency for action. According to a 2023 FAA congressional hearing, the issuance of mechanic certificates has plateaued over the past two decades, with projections indicating that by 2031 more than 90,000 certificated mechanics will reach retirement age. The Aviation Technician Education Council estimates a future shortfall, expecting demand for 90,000 mechanics while only 79,000 are projected to enter the workforce during the early 2030s.
To ensure the new curriculum provides relevant skills aligned with industry needs, the AOPA Foundation will establish an advisory board comprising aviation leaders and educators. This group will guide curriculum development to balance hands-on technical training with high school scheduling and resource constraints.
The curriculum development process is expected to span two to three years, culminating in a field test around 2028. Prior steps include identifying key certifications and skills necessary for entry-level maintenance careers, designing engaging learning experiences, and delivering comprehensive teacher training and resources.
Dan Justman, AOPA Foundation Programs Vice President, praised the existing high school program's success and emphasized the potential of the new pathway to open career opportunities in aircraft maintenance and manufacturing. The foundation views the initiative as vital to sustaining a robust maintenance workforce, which directly supports aircraft availability and aviation safety.
Elizabeth Tennyson, Senior Vice President at the AOPA Foundation, noted that this curriculum expansion aligns with the foundation's mission to support the entire aviation ecosystem. The foundation also offers scholarships to aspiring mechanics and pilots, flight clubs to reduce operational costs, and programs assisting pilots in maintaining proficiency.
Funded by donations, including a contribution from Gregory and Cindy Kozmetsky's GCK Legacy Fund, the AOPA Foundation continues to mobilize resources to address workforce needs critical to aviation's future. The new curriculum represents a strategic effort to attract and prepare the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals before they graduate.
This development responds to calls for enhanced recruitment and promotional outreach in the aviation maintenance profession, which industry stakeholders and the Government Accountability Office lament as underdeveloped compared to pilot career pathways. By integrating maintenance education at the high school level, the AOPA Foundation seeks to create a sustainable talent pipeline to meet evolving aviation demands.
Frequently asked questions
- When will the AOPA Foundation's maintenance and manufacturing curriculum be available for high schools?
- The curriculum is expected to be field tested and potentially available as early as 2028, following two to three years of development.
- What is the purpose of adding the maintenance and manufacturing pathway to the AOPA high school program?
- The pathway aims to address the shortage of aviation mechanics by preparing students for careers in aviation maintenance and manufacturing through a free, nationally recognized STEM curriculum.
- How is the AOPA Foundation ensuring the new curriculum meets industry needs?
- An advisory board of industry leaders and educators will guide development to incorporate necessary skills and certifications while accommodating typical high school environments.
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