Sweet Home Alabama: New Aviation High School Takes Flight

The new public charter school is the culmination of one man’s dream to help children enter the aerospace workforce.

Arturo Weiss

Friday, September 30, 2022 at 01:58 PM ET

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AAHS students enjoy a free aviation-centric education. [Courtesy:Alabama Aerospace & Aviation High School]

Key Takeaways:

Alabama Aviation and Aerospace High School (AAHS) is a newly opened free public charter school established to address the pilot shortage by inspiring and preparing a new generation of aviation professionals from underserved communities.
Founded by Ruben Morris, the school offers a college-preparatory core curriculum focused on STEM disciplines, including aviation, robotics, and cybersecurity, with opportunities for dual enrollment and industry apprenticeships.
After three years of planning and receiving state approval, AAHS opened its doors on August 22 and recently celebrated its inaugural students with special events like discovery flights, with plans for a $20 million permanent facility.

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The ongoing pilot shortage has energized the conversation about how to best fill the need for aviation professionals. Airlines are ramping up recruitment efforts, raising salaries, and even o p ening-up their own flight academies in the hopes of filling staffing gaps. While tapping into the existing pilot pool is important, some educational institutions are focused on cultivating a new generation of aviation professionals. The team at Alabama Aviation and Aerospace High School (AAHS) has taken on that challenge.