WATE reports that In Maryville, Tennessee, the newly certified Aviation Academy, a collaboration between Blount Partnership and Pellissippi State Community College, is training locals to become aviation mechanics and maintenance technicians at its facility on Triangle Park Drive. The program offers hands-on education in aviation electronics, aircraft structures, and mechanical systems, culminating in an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Technology, preparing graduates to pass FAA exams and become Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance Technicians.

With the aviation industry in East Tennessee expanding due to companies like Cirrus Aircraft, StandardAero, Endeavor Air, and the Tennessee National Guard, as well as the growth of McGhee Tyson Airport, the demand for skilled aviation professionals is surging, with a national need for 12,000 aircraft mechanics annually. The Academy plans to expand its certifications to support the region’s aviation sector and will host an open house on September 23 to showcase career opportunities.

This initiative, part of the broader Aviation Collaborative, aims to bolster economic growth by attracting and training a younger workforce to meet the region’s aviation needs.