Michigan Charter School Helps Relieve Pilot Shortage While Providing STEM Education

The nationwide shortage of pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians continues to be at the forefront of challenges facing business aviation as well as commercial air carriers. One school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is doing its part to attract young people into aviation and other advanced technology career paths.

West Michigan Aviation Academy is a tuition-free charter school located at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids. In addition to flight training and simulators, the aviation-rich curriculum offers a full range of courses in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), as well as computer science, robotics, engineering fabrication, 3D printing, and Unmanned Aerial Systems. The school also receives plentiful mentoring and other support from the local business community.