Air Transportation & Aviation Maintenance

ACADEMIES & PROGRAMS

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AVIATION
ACADEMY

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Why Aviation?

The Aviation Academy is built for students who want a head start in aerospace. Students learn the fundamentals of aviation through both classroom instruction and hands-on lab training, with pathways in Aircraft Mechanics and Air Transportation.

Aviation is a high-accountability field where safety, precision, and professionalism are essential, and it offers career opportunities in aircraft maintenance, airport operations, air cargo, avionics, and drone/UAS technology.

  • 13,000+ aircraft mechanic and avionics technician job openings each year in the U.S.
  • Median pay is about $78,680 for aircraft mechanics and $81,390 for avionics technicians
  • 5% projected job growth through 2034
  • Growing demand as global air travel and air cargo continue to increase

*Statistics sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Arizona workforce projections.

Suggested below is a typical progression path for the ALA Applied Technologies Graduation Diploma. The progression shown is only a suggestion and could vary depending on the academic level and credit achievement of a student.

Grade English Math History/Social Studies Science Elective Elective Elective
9th English I Algebra 1 World History Biology Fitness & Nutrition Elective Elective
10th English II Geometry American/Arizona History Chemistry Financial Literacy/Entrepreneurship CTE CTE
11th English III Algebra 2 Economics Physics (lab sciences) Elective CTE CTE
12th English IV College Math Civics/Government Upper Level Science Course Elective CTE CTE
An aircraft in a large indoor maintenance facility, with parts removed and tools around it, American flag on the wall, overhead lights, and windows

Students in the Aviation Academy gain real-world experience in professional training environments designed to support aircraft maintenance, flight operations, and unmanned aerial systems.

Our facilities feature:

  • ~13,000 square ft. Aviation Training Hangar: This ~13,000-square-foot facility houses dedicated bays for powerplant engines, airframes, and specialized systems maintenance.

  • Diverse Instructional Aircraft & Helicopter Frames: This collection includes various fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter frames used for real-world structural and mechanical training.

  • Advanced Flight Simulation Lab: This space utilizes modern simulators and multipurpose computers to provide realistic flight training and software experience in a controlled environment.

  • Systems Training & Electronics Labs: These workstations allow students to master aircraft lighting, hydraulics, and electrical circuits through specialized trainers and soldering equipment.

  • Unmanned Aerial Systems & Navigation Tools: Students gain proficiency in drone operations and modern navigation using multi-rotor drones and flight planning computers.

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A woman wearing safety glasses and a gray sweatshirt with a logo on the chest stands with arms crossed in front of a rocket in a workshop.
A man wearing glasses and a dark blue shirt is working inside an old, disassembled vehicle, possibly a bus or RV. He is reaching up to work on the damaged ceiling or roof of the vehicle, which has torn and missing material. The interior appears to be
students working on a large airplane craft in a spacious, well-lit workshop
A classroom with students seated at desks, using flight simulator computers. Above them, there are multiple remote controls and some printed diagrams on the wall.
A white remote-controlled airplane with orange and navy blue accents flying low over a grassy field.
A homemade Christmas-themed airplane model with a brown body, green propeller, and decorated with greenery and string lights, displayed indoors.
Group of five students standing outdoors on a grassy field, holding white model airplanes, with trees and buildings in the background.
Inside an aircraft workshop, an unmounted small aircraft with some parts removed, surrounded by tools and equipment, with a large American flag hanging on the wall in the background.
An aircraft in a warehouse or hangar undergoing assembly or maintenance, with various tools and equipment around it.
Two men standing outdoors on a grassy field, examining a white remote-controlled airplane. One man is wearing a cowboy hat and glasses, and the other has curly hair and is wearing a blue polo shirt with a logo, possibly of a sports team or organizati
Interior view of a spacecraft or missile component showing wires, tubes, and metal structure.
Four young men in blue and black jackets and hoodies stand behind a wooden table, looking at a metal object, with one holding a paper and another pointing at it, in an industrial setting with stairs and fencing in the background.
An indoor workshop with a partially disassembled small aircraft in the foreground. The workshop has high ceilings with a large American flag hanging on the back wall. Various tools, equipment, and workbenches are scattered throughout the space.
A person wearing a wide-brimmed hat, glasses, and a blue shirt is holding a large white remote control airplane above their head in an open grassy field with trees and industrial buildings in the background.
Three young people in a workshop, standing near a large rocket engine, who appear to be students or engineers. They are wearing safety glasses and work gloves, with tools in hand, and are smiling. The background shows an American flag hanging on the
Students working on a mechanical project in a classroom or workshop.
People participating in a drone flying activity outdoors on a grassy field, with a small white airplane drone flying in the sky. Some individuals are holding remote controls while others observe, with trees and a fence in the background under a clear
A remote-controlled toy airplane flying in the sky with trees in the background.
student in a blue shirt is operating a remote control drone outdoors on a clear, sunny day.
male student holding pink and white model airplane on a grassy field.
Group of students and an instructor examining an airplane engine in a classroom or workshop.
A woman working on or inspecting a damaged or old airplane fuselage inside a workshop or hangar. She is wearing safety glasses and smiling at the camera.
A man with glasses working on electronic components inside a machine or aircraft.
Front view of an aircraft in a hangar, undergoing maintenance or restoration, with exposed wiring and missing nose cone.

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