The aerospace industry is calling Oklahoma home.

We're excited about the opportunity to provide high-demand aerospace training for the local community. Together we will help grow the local economy and build better tomorrows for students.

— MNTC Superintendent Brian Ruttman

Aerospace education to meet Oklahoma's demand.

State Outlook

$44 Billion Annually
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce reports the Aerospace and Aviation economic impact to be $44 billion annually.
#1 in the U.S.
Oklahoma has the largest military and commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul operations in the United States.
240,000 Jobs
Over 240,000 jobs are supported by or benefit from Oklahoma aviation and aerospace.
10,000 New Jobs
Oklahoma Aerospace Commerce Economic Services (ACES) Program Director Don Wetekam highlighted 10,000 new aerospace jobs will come to Oklahoma over the next five years.
Additional Areas of Growth
Unmanned systems

Regional Outlook

According to data from the Greater OKC Chamber, the following are key stats:

230+ Aerospace Firms
Home to 230+ aerospace firms in the region, including Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, Lockheed Martin, Kratos, and SkyWest.
36,000+ Aerospace Workers
Home to 36,000+ aerospace workers in Greater Oklahoma City, with 1,500 open positions.
$4.9 Billion
Aerospace firms produce $4.9 billion in goods and services locally.

Local Outlook

Cleveland County residents are critical to maintaining and supporting Central Oklahoma’s aviation and aerospace workforce:

57,000 Tinker AFB Employees
Tinker Air Force Base employees almost 57,000; nearly 30% live in/commute from Cleveland County daily.
University of Oklahoma Max Westheimer
The primary airport in Cleveland County is the University of Oklahoma Max Westheimer Airport that employs approximately 400 with a total economic activity of nearly $37.5 million.
Commander Aircraft Corp.
Commander Aircraft Corp. is expanding operations and will have space for an inventory of parts, service, storage, repair, and full-scale production.
Companies in Norman and Cleveland County
Norman boasts 10 aerospace/aviation-related companies and there are more than 15 in Cleveland county.

Key Drivers

Technical Worker Shortage
The aerospace industry is facing a massive technical workforce shortage.
Aging Workforce
Aviation mechanics are retiring faster than they are being replaced. Over 30% of the workforce is at or near retirement age.
Strategic Recruitment
The State of Oklahoma and Chambers of Commerce are strategically recruiting additional aerospace manufacturers/companies to grow this industry and increase economic impact.
Meeting the Demand
ODCTE reports ongoing company requests for more licensed A & P mechanics than are currently available, and fully supports additional A & P training programs to meet the need.
Projected Growth
The projected growth of the commercial UAS industry will drive the need for trained UAS remote pilots and UAS maintenance technicians.

Our aerospace education flight plan is designed to meet the needs of commercial, military, and private aerospace companies in Cleveland County and beyond!

Program Offerings

Aviation Maintenance Technician

Projected to begin Fall 2023

Part 147 is the code that governs aviation maintenance schools approved by the FAA.

*We are currently in the application process of becoming a certified Aviation Maintenance Technical School that is certified in Airframe and Powerplant.

Long-term program for adults
Prerequisites: TBD
Program will be a minimum of 1900 hours; full-time only. We are looking at different options. 6-hour days will mean an 18-month program
Cost: TBD
Certifications/Credentials upon examinations: Airframe certification and Powerplant certification, both through the FAA. Possible additional NC3 aerospace certifications

View Career Program Page

This existing MNTC program, enhanced for aerospace, is planned for Year 3 for both high school and adult students who, upon completion, can immediately enter the workforce. The program is 1,050 hours and focuses specifically on developing the skills to work with metals used in aerospace manufacturing and maintenance such as stainless steel, aluminum, Inconel, 4130 chromoly, and titanium.

Current Welding students have expressed an interest in learning specific skills for jobs in the aerospace industry. This requires more specialized equipment and metals than the pipeline and construction industries that have been the focus for job placement in this program in the past. With the recruitment of aerospace manufacturing to central Oklahoma, MNTC’s Aerospace Training Center provides the means to expand training to welders for this industry.

CNC Machining

Coming Soon

The CNC Machining Program is planned for Year 4 for both high school and adult students.

One of the key components of the program is developing industry apprenticeship partnerships in central Oklahoma with the goal for students to spend 20 hours per week in a paid apprenticeship program and
20 hours per week training. The total training time would be 340 hours in 17 weeks. Students would also receive a National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certification.

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The dream takes flight.

Initial Concepts: Aerospace Training Center

FAQs

What will a student learn in the Aerospace program?

MNTC is working toward certification to become an FAA Part 147 Certified Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) Certified to train Airframe and Powerplant or (A&P) mechanics. This is a long-term program that is expected to take students 18 months (1962 class hours) to complete.

MNTC Workforce & Economic Development Team is in planning stages for short term courses (less than 500 hours) to address aerospace industry employment projections.

What is the progress of the Aerospace program?

General, Airframe and Powerplant will be housed in a 23,000 sq. ft. space currently under renovation in the main building of the MNTC Franklin Road campus in Norman.

A 12,000 sq. ft. hangar space is also under renovation in a separate area on the Franklin Road campus. It will facilitate aircraft and a multi-purpose classroom for training.

MNTC is on track to complete renovations in 2023.

When will the Aerospace program start?

Pending FAA Approval, construction remodel, and supply chain contingencies, we expect our first class to begin in August 2023*. In the months prior to the first class, adults will have the opportunity to apply for the program online. After the application is received, the applicant will meet with a Career Advisor to determine their eligibility for the program.

To become a launch partner and get the latest updates and information about program requirements, prerequisites, and application dates, please provide your contact information using the “Become a Launch Partner” form below.

*MNTC is working toward certification to become an FAA Part 147 Certified Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) Certified to train Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanics. Our start date is expected to be August 2023 but is contingent on FAA approval.

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Is the Aerospace program for adults or high school?

Where will the Aerospace program be taught?

Why develop an Aerospace program?

Moore Norman Technology Center strives to provide workforce training for high wage, in demand jobs. The aerospace industry offers both of these as demand for skilled aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs), aerospace-manufacturing welders, and machinists in central Oklahoma and Norman is very high.

Aerospace Technologies project the need for aviation engineers to continually increase in the private, commercial, and military sectors of aviation. Tinker AFB, FY 22-23 Hiring Forecast (3,100+ jobs) Aircraft Mechanics, Engineers, Electricians, Machinists, and more.

The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education reports ongoing industry requests for licensed airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanics. Projected growth of the commercial UAS industry will drive the need for trained UAS remote pilots and UAS maintenance technicians.

In addition, the State of Oklahoma and chambers of commerce are strategically recruiting additional aerospace companies to grow this industry and increase economic impact.

Become a launch partner.

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The aerospace industry is calling Oklahoma home.

MNTC Aerospace Training Center

Aerospace education to meet Oklahoma's demand.

State Outlook

State Outlook

Regional Outlook

Regional Outlook

Local Outlook

Local Outlook

Key Drivers

Key Drivers

Program Offerings

Aviation Maintenance Technician

Welding

CNC Machining

Register for Course Alerts

The dream takes flight.

Initial Concepts: Aerospace Training Center

FAQs

What will a student learn in the Aerospace program?

What is the progress of the Aerospace program?

When will the Aerospace program start?

Become a Launch Partner

Is the Aerospace program for adults or high school?

Where will the Aerospace program be taught?

Why develop an Aerospace program?

Become a launch partner.

Moore Norman Technology Center

Franklin Road Campus

South Penn Campus

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