Calhoun Celebrates Launch of Aviation Maintenance Program and FAA Certification

Calhoun Community College officially opened its new Aviation Maintenance Technology hangar Tuesday, August 18, 2026, with a ribbon cutting ceremony, marking a significant milestone in the college’s expansion of aviation education and the region’s workforce development efforts.

The ceremony also included a formal certification presentation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), officially recognizing Calhoun’s new Aviation Maintenance Technology program as an FAA-certified training facility. The new program, which begins its first classes Wednesday, August 19, prepares students for careers in the growing aviation industry through hands-on instruction in aircraft maintenance and related technical skills.

“This is an exciting day for Calhoun Community College and for the entire North Alabama region,” said Dr. Jimmy Hodges, President of Calhoun Community College. “We are proud to launch an Aviation Maintenance Technology program that gives our students the opportunity to learn in a hands-on environment and prepare for careers in an industry that is growing. This is exactly what a community college should do - listen to the needs of our communities and our employers and create opportunities that connect our students directly to good careers.”

The launch of the Aviation Maintenance Technology program expands Calhoun’s technical education offerings while strengthening the college’s partnership with the growing aviation industry in Huntsville, Decatur, and across the Tennessee Valley. 

Representatives from the Alabama Community College System, FAA, Pryor Field, and The Port of Huntsville International Airport, along with state and local officials, joined Calhoun faculty, staff and students for the celebration.

Gillette Samms, Director of Aviation Programs for the Alabama Community College System, said “Calhoun started with a vision, and it was a bold vision that they turned into action. They worked hard to create a program in partnership with business and industry, and that partnership is what makes this program so important. This program will expand economic development. It is another example of how Alabama’s community colleges are responding to the needs of industry.” 

Alabama State Senator Arthur Orr also participated in the ceremony, highlighting the importance of workforce education and aviation training to the region. “For decades, people have talked about Calhoun having an aviation program, especially given the college’s location right here next to Pryor Field Regional Airport. Today, we’re able to make that vision a reality with an FAA-certified program. This is not the finish line; it’s the beginning of great things to come. To the students here today, we are investing in you, we believe in you, and we hope you will use your training and education to do great things with careers right here at home.”  

For students, the program represents an opportunity to turn an interest in aviation into a career. They will develop technical skills designed to prepare them for employment in the aviation industry.

Adam Crow, Aviation Technology Instructor at Calhoun Community College, said, “Our students aren't just sitting in a classroom learning about aircraft, they're going to be working with the tools, equipment, and systems that aviation maintenance professionals use every day. We're building this program around the skills and knowledge students need to become successful aviation maintenance technicians.” 

Matthew Upton, an Aviation Maintenance Technology student who is part of Calhoun’s inaugural class, said “I really didn’t know what I wanted to do. My parents thought I would make a great engineer, but I wasn’t sure what career was right for me. I did a search using ChatGPT, and aircraft mechanic came up. That led me to Calhoun’s program and the more I learned about it, the more I realized this was the perfect career for my personality and the kind of work I wanted to do.” 

The new Aviation Maintenance Technology hangar provides students with a dedicated space to gain practical experience with aircraft, tools and equipment used in aviation maintenance. The program comes as demand continues for skilled aviation maintenance professionals, providing Calhoun students with a pathway into a specialized technical field. With the FAA certification, Calhoun’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program represents another step in the college’s commitment to serving as the workforce leader for North Alabama and preparing students for high-demand careers.

For more information about Calhoun Community College and its Aviation Maintenance Technology program, visit calhoun.edu/aviation.

For media inquiries, contact Calhoun's Public Relations Team at 256-306-2560 or 256-306-2965.