Schools Nationwide Receive $13.5 Million in FAA Grants to Develop the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals

Thirty-two schools will receive $13.5 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help attract and train students for careers as pilots and aviation maintenance technicians. 
 
Twelve of the schools will receive $4.5 million from the FAA’s Aircraft Pilots Aviation Workforce Development Grants program. The schools can use the funding to create and deliver curriculums designed to prepare high school students to become pilots, aerospace engineers or drone operators. Grants may also be used to support the professional development of teachers.

Grant recipients include: 

• Beaufort County Schools, Washington, N.C.: $374,930 
• Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, N.C.: $393,142 
• Fox Valley Lutheran High School, Appleton, Wisc.: $27,800 
• Georgetown Independent School District, Georgetown, Texas: $462,208.95 
• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Harrisburg, Pa: $169,692.58 
• Iowa Lakes Community College, Estherville, Iowa: $493.,657 
• Kent State University, Kent, Ohio: $419,708.47 
• Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La.: $476,643 
• Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio: $346,400 
• Pacific Aviation Northwest, Inc., Grant Pass, Ore.: $500,000 
• Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.: $500,000 
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Md.: $335,818 

 
The other $9 million will go to 20 schools as part of the FAA’s Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development program. These grants will help build back the pipeline of maintenance professionals; approximately 20,000 fewer people are working in the aircraft maintenance sector than before the pandemic. 

Grant recipients include: 

• AAR Aircraft Services, Inc., Oklahoma City, Okla.: $500,000 
• Aersale, Inc., Coral Gables, Fla.: $400,000 
• Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School, Bessemer, Ala.: $398,375 
• Central Louisiana Technical Community College, Alexandria, La..: $500,000 
• Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Cincinnati, Ohio: $493,277 
• Clemson University, Clemson, S.C.: $497,317
• Conway School District, Conway, N.H.: $301,129 
• DFC, Inc., Woodland, Calif.: $500,000 
• Houston Community College System, Houston, Texas: $402,284 
• Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa, Iowa: $302,816
• Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, Iowa.: $500,000 
• Joby Elevate, Inc., Santa Cruz, Calif.: $500,000 
• Kenton County Airport Board, Hebron, Ky.: $479,000
• Lewis University, Romeoville, Ill.: $496,016
• Maysville Community and Technical College, Maysville, Ky.: $500,000
• North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, N.D.: $307, 608
• O.S. Johnson Technical Institute, Scranton, Pa.: $423,754
• San Bernardino Valley College, San Bernardino, Calif.: $498,555
• Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tenn.: $500,000
• Thomas University, Thomasville, Ga.: $499,869

Recipients can use the funding to establish new educational programs; provide scholarships or apprenticeships; conduct outreach about careers in the aviation maintenance industry; and support educational opportunities related to aviation maintenance in economically disadvantaged areas.  

Visit the FAA website for additional details about the grant recipients.