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Oregon, USA – Hillsboro Aero Academy launched a new 12-month Aviation Maintenance Professional Program—an accelerated, hands-on pathway for students seeking careers as FAA-certified aircraft mechanics.

Set to begin September 8, 2025, at the academy’s Hillsboro campus in Oregon, the program is designed to be completed in half the time of most comparable offerings. Graduates will be prepared for the FAA’s General, Airframe, and Powerplant certification exams and enter the workforce as qualified aviation maintenance technicians.

The launch has earned praise from former airline senior executive, Gary Beck, as a timely response to one of the industry’s most urgent workforce challenges.

“Hillsboro Aero Academy has long demonstrated its commitment to developing the next generation of pilots,” said Beck. “Their expansion into maintenance training comes at a critical time. The entire airline industry is feeling the impact of the aircraft mechanic shortage, and efforts like this are essential to building a strong, sustainable talent pipeline.”

For Hillsboro Aero Academy, the program marks a major milestone in a broader transformation of its training portfolio.

“For nearly 50 years, we’ve trained pilots to the highest standards in the industry,” said Natalia Cimpean, President of Hillsboro Aero Academy. “Now we’re applying that same approach to aviation maintenance—combining real-world experience, technical excellence, and safety-first instruction to meet one of the most urgent workforce needs in aviation today.”

Students will train in an active airport environment using actual aircraft, including the Learjet 24, Cessna 152, and Piper PA-44 airplanes, and a Robinson R22 helicopter. Brand-new tools and on-site FAA testing further enhance the hands-on learning experience.

Tuition for the 12-month course is $29,500 and includes tools, uniforms, testing, and materials. Class sizes are limited to 25 students, to ensure individualized instruction. Payment-by-course options are available.

The launch follows recent modernization efforts at the school, including the order of 10 state-of-the-art Piper aircraft—five Archer TX and five Pilot 100i models—featuring advanced Garmin avionics. These investments reflect a long-term strategy to expand high-quality, career-focused training across both fixed-wing and rotorcraft disciplines.

As one of the largest flight training academies in the United States, and the exclusive training provider for Alaska Airlines’ Ascend Academy, the school has earned international recognition for preparing pilots for commercial aviation careers. The addition of an aircraft maintenance program represents a full-spectrum commitment to solving aviation’s workforce pipeline challenges.

Located in the Pacific Northwest, a region with a thriving aerospace ecosystem including Alaska Airlines, Boeing, Precision Castparts, and a wide network of MROs and charter operators, the academy places graduates in immediate proximity to one of the most opportunity-rich job markets for aviation technicians in the country.

According to Boeing’s 2024–2043 Pilot and Technician Outlook, more than 716,000 new maintenance technicians will be needed worldwide over the next two decades. In the U.S., nearly 40 percent of current aircraft mechanics are expected to retire by 2031.

“This is one of the most direct and impactful ways to start a career in aviation,” said Cimpean. “We’re creating a program that gets students job-ready in a year—with the technical skills, certifications, and confidence to thrive in a fast-moving, high-stakes field.”

Source: Hillsboro Aero Academy
Photo Credit: Hillsboro Aero Academy