2026 ATEC Fly-In: Impact Report

The 2026 ATEC Fly-In brought together 56 attendees representing 26 states and the District of Columbia for a day of advocacy on Capitol Hill. Attendees participated in 82 congressional meetings, providing an opportunity for members to educate lawmakers and staff on issues impacting aviation maintenance technician schools and the aviation maintenance workforce.    

The number of congressional meetings continues to grow, increasing from 73 in 2025 to 82 in 2026, a 12% increase. Since 2022, the number of meetings has more than doubled, growing from 37 to 82.

During meetings, attendees advocated for ATEC’s 2026 legislative priorities, including workforce development funding, early certification, industry participation in airman certification and regulatory initiatives, DME access, and airman certification modernization. The Fly-In also included updates from FAA representatives on testing and certification, workforce grants, DME access, and other issues affecting aviation maintenance education, as detailed in the FAA update from the Fly-In.