East Alton, IL- December 18, 2025 — West Star Aviation is proud to announce a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to addressing the nationwide shortage of Aircraft Maintenance Technicians. The West Star Aviation Academy (WSAA) has achieved a remarkable 100% graduation rate, with 25 graduates now qualified to test for the FAA Airframe certification, far surpassing completion rates of traditional programs.

 

Operated by West Star Aviation as its internal maintenance training hub and developed in partnership with Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), the Academy offers a unique blend of paid apprenticeship, academic coursework, and hands-on training. Students have direct access to a Falcon Jet, allowing them to apply their classroom knowledge in real-time maintenance scenarios. Earlier this year, the innovative approach of the WSAA was recognized by the Aviation Week Program Excellence Awards, honoring West Star for its leadership in workforce innovation and aviation talent development.

 

“When we founded the Academy, we set out to do more than train technicians—we wanted to create opportunity,” said Katie Johnson, Chief People Officer at West Star Aviation. “By removing traditional barriers to entry, this program opens doors for mechanically inclined individuals to gain aviation maintenance knowledge and skills, earn while they learn, and step directly into a growing, high-tech field.”

 

Since its inception in January 2024, the Academy has successfully supported 71 technician hires becoming certified Aviation Maintenance Technicians, strengthening West Star’s pipeline of qualified professionals to address the industry’s evolving needs. Graduates of the Academy include recent high school students, veterans, and mid-career professionals transitioning into aviation. Notably, 85% of this graduating class joined us from various states across the country, highlighting the program’s attraction as West Star creates a center of excellence model to support enhanced staffing across its locations.

 

“This Academy is vital not only for addressing our immediate hiring needs but also for reinforcing the fundamental truth that the MRO industry is a service business. Our success relies on having skilled and dedicated people. The ability to attract such talent through this program is a significant achievement and speaks volumes about the future of aviation maintenance,” added Stephen Maiden, Chief Executive Officer.

 

West Star is excited to prepare for the next cohort of 25 Apprentices, set to join the Academy on January 12, 2026. For more information about upcoming Academy programs and application details, please visit www.weststaraviation.com/wsaa-academy.

 

About West Star Aviation
With more than 78 years of industry experience, West Star Aviation stands as a leading independent Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) provider. Employing over 3,000 professionals, West Star offers comprehensive services from our strategically located full-service facilities in East Alton, IL; Grand Junction, CO; Chattanooga, TN; Millville, NJ; Perryville, MO; and Statesville, NC, as well as satellite locations in Denver, Houston, Minneapolis, and Chicago. The company’s extensive capabilities encompass maintenance, paint, interior, and avionics services, supported by the largest Aircraft On Ground (AOG) network in the country, ensuring prompt and reliable mobile repair services nationwide.