INDIANAPOLIS (March 5, 2024) – Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) is proud to announce that four students from its Indianapolis campus have been chosen for a coveted AAR Fellowship. In a competitive selection process, Aye Htike, Luis Tovar, Dantrail Shephard, and Joselin Campos emerged as the next cohort of AAR Fellows. AIM has graduated 5 AAR Fellows and currently has 3 students in the program.
The AAR Fellowship Program highlights the relationship AIM has with industry partners and strives to strengthen the aviation technician pipeline. Boeing reports that 690,000 new maintenance technicians, 125,000 in North America alone, will be needed to fly and maintain the global commercial fleet over the next 20 years. As AAR Fellows, students will benefit from tuition assistance of up to $30,000 and the opportunity to work part-time to gain hands-on experience and mentorship at AAR’s Indianapolis Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility while pursuing their Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification at AIM. Once the Fellows graduate from AIM, they will work at any AAR MRO facility for at least two years.
Aye Htike expressed enthusiasm about the Fellowship stating, “Being selected for the AAR Fellowship program is a significant step forward in my aviation industry career, offering a chance to grow and progress in a field I am passionate about. It also alleviates the financial strain of tuition, allowing me to focus more on my studies and enjoy my pursuits.”
Campus Executive Director, Andy Duncan stated, “We are excited to continue this partnership with AAR. Not only does this provide AIM students funding for their education, but it also provides AAR with the trained workforce they so desperately need. We look forward to the continued success of the Fellowship program and to the students who are selected into it. “
This new cohort of students selected as AAR Fellows serves as a testament to the Aviation Institute of Maintenance’s commitment to shaping the future of aviation maintenance professionals. As these students embark on their journey as AAR Fellows, benefiting from financial support, hands-on experience, and mentorship, AIM takes pride in contributing to their growth and success.
