This month, the FAA notified the public of changes made to the written test bank (as further explained in revised sample exams and the latest "what's new" document).

The FAA, in collaboration with industry representatives, are currently reviewing the knowledge test bank to ensure correlation with imminent Mechanic Airman Certification Standards. Through an exam review board "boarding" process, some questions in the test bank have been removed or archived. The agency has also stated that some questions have been reassigned from the general test bank to the airframe test bank. In addition:

• 14 CFR part 23 questions that are not relevant or valid have been removed. New part 23 questions have been added to the sample exams to ensure the public has an accurate representative sample.
• Test takers should be prepared to answer questions on helicopter aerodynamics, 14 CFR part 1 definitions, coil inductor construction, human errors, maintenance manual documentation and special flight permits.
• AMT knowledge test applicants should be prepared for calculations that require interpolation.

The council continues to work through the ACS working group to ensure a documented and transparent process for creating, vetting and revising test bank questions. The FAA is currently utilizing the ACS to review and edit the test bank. ATEC Treasurer and Embry-Riddle University Aviation Maintenance Science Department Chairman Chuck Horning is the industry representative on that review board.

Members are encouraged to provide feedback on student experiences while the test bank undergoes revision to coincide with the new ACS. Send comments to atec@atec-amt.org.

The Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC) is conducting a survey of US-based educational institutions with aviation technical programs. The submission deadline is Nov. 7.
 
The purpose of the survey is to assess key trends in aviation maintenance education, gather demographics of the entering workforce, support industry recruitment programs and initiatives, and guide future association activities and priorities.

The survey was delivered to the primary contact at each institution, schools are asked to make one submission per location. For those institutions with multiple campuses, survey response requests were sent to the primary contact at each location. If your school did not receive an invitation to participate or would like to confirm your school's primary contact, please email ATEC.

Aggregate results will be published in the ATEC Pipeline Report, participating schools will be listed in that report. Specific identifying information regarding programs offered, current enrollment, graduation expectations and dates will also be included in ATEC’s online school directory.

Since data from various sources may be required to complete the survey, respondents are advised to collect information before beginning an electronic submission. To aid those efforts, a PDF version of the questionnaire is available here.

The Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance is now accepting applications for 2019 awards and scholarships. Applications must be submitted online by Nov. 1.

Last year, AWAM awarded $140,000 in scholarships to 30 recipients.  With the assistance of corporate sponsors, this program continues to grow to support the industry and the needs of the future.

Scholarship opportunities are not only for initial students or women.  Many are for those already working in the field, transitioning from the military, and for men as well.
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For more information and to apply, visit http://www.awam.org/scholarships/.