Aviation Institute of Maintenance to Become First Aircraft Maintenance Trade School Featured on Amazon Prime Video’s The College Tour
The Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) announced a landmark moment in its history, revealing that it will become the first aircraft maintenance trade school to be featured on Season 16 of Amazon Prime Video’s acclaimed series The College Tour. Filming for the episode is scheduled to begin on December 8, 2025, marking a milestone not only for the institution but also for the broader aviation maintenance profession, which continues to gain significant national attention as one of the country’s most essential skilled trades.
The upcoming feature represents a major opportunity for AIM to highlight its role in solving a critical workforce shortage, showcase the hands-on learning environment that defines its campus experience, and introduce a wider audience to the growing potential of aviation maintenance careers. With millions of viewers across Amazon Prime Video and The College Tour’s streaming platforms, the episode is expected to elevate understanding of the industry and put a spotlight on a profession deeply tied to the safety, reliability, and operational integrity of the aviation system.
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at AIM’s Advanced Training Environment
Filming for the episode will take place at AIM’s Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey campus, a location known for its immersive and high-tech training facilities. The campus includes fully equipped hangars, mockup aircraft, and advanced labs that simulate real-world aviation maintenance environments. These facilities allow students to train using industry-standard tools and replicate FAA-aligned procedures, giving them the experience needed to transition directly into the aviation workforce.
The College Tour episode will capture this atmosphere firsthand, taking viewers through classrooms, labs, and full-scale aircraft components used in AIM’s curriculum. For prospective students unfamiliar with the aviation maintenance field, the episode will offer an in-depth look at how technicians learn to inspect, repair, and maintain aircraft systems—from engines and hydraulics to avionics and flight control mechanisms. By showcasing the day-to-day activities that define technician training, the program aims to demystify the profession and highlight the precision and expertise required in the field.
Following production, the episode is slated to premiere in June 2026 across The College Tour’s network, including Amazon Prime Video and associated streaming platforms. The series has earned a reputation for spotlighting educational institutions through authentic, student-led storytelling, and AIM’s feature is expected to reach a widespread audience ranging from high school students exploring career options to adults seeking new vocational pathways.
Addressing a National Workforce Challenge
AIM’s upcoming appearance comes at a pivotal time for the aviation industry. The United States continues to face a severe shortage of aviation maintenance technicians, a workforce gap projected to widen in coming years as aircraft fleets grow, experienced technicians retire, and emerging air mobility technologies create new layers of demand. Industry estimates suggest that thousands of additional technicians will be needed to support airlines, airports, maintenance repair organizations (MROs), advanced air mobility operators, and aerospace manufacturers.
Against this backdrop, AIM’s visibility on a national platform such as The College Tour underscores the increasing importance of accessible, high-quality technical education. With 15 campuses across the country, AIM is one of the largest accredited networks of technician training schools in the nation, preparing students for careers aligned with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certifications. The institute has built strong partnerships with major airlines and aviation companies, providing graduates with direct pipelines into high-demand, high-paying jobs.
In a time when industries across the U.S. are prioritizing workforce development and skills training, AIM’s feature spotlights how trade education is evolving—and why aviation maintenance remains a promising career path for those seeking stability, advancement, and long-term growth.
Leadership Perspective: A Transformative Moment for Aviation Education
Jason Pfaff, Chief Executive Officer of the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, emphasized the significance of AIM’s participation in the series. “We are honored to showcase AIM’s aviation-focused programs on The College Tour,” Pfaff said. “Students choose AIM because we combine rigorous technical training, hands-on experience, and strong career support to prepare them for high-demand aviation maintenance roles. Our programs are designed in alignment with FAA standards and built to meet the needs of an industry that depends on skilled, mission-critical technicians. With campuses nationwide, we’re proud to help meet the national workforce demand while preparing students for long-term success in aviation.”
Pfaff’s comments underscore AIM’s mission: offering clear, well-supported pathways into the aviation maintenance field and bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. In an era where students are increasingly evaluating education based on career outcomes and practical experience, AIM’s hands-on programs and job placement partnerships offer a compelling alternative to traditional four-year degrees.
The College Tour: Bringing Campus Stories to Life
Hosted by Emmy-nominated creator and Amazing Race winner Alex Boylan, The College Tour is known for offering immersive, student-led glimpses into educational institutions across the U.S. and around the world. Through a combination of interviews, campus explorations, and narrative segments, the show allows prospective students and families to experience schools from home—a particularly valuable resource in an era of digital-first research.
AIM’s episode will center on the voices of current students, who will share their personal journeys into aviation maintenance, their experiences with AIM’s technical training, and the ways the institute has prepared them for careers in a critical industry. Viewers will hear about the supportive learning community, the real-world challenges that shape daily instruction, and the sense of purpose that comes with entering a field responsible for keeping aircraft operating safely around the world.
“AIM offers students real-world, hands-on training and a direct path into one of the country’s most essential and high-demand career fields,” said Alex Boylan. “Aviation maintenance is full of opportunity, and it’s inspiring to see more students exploring career-focused programs that open the door to stable and meaningful work. This episode will give viewers a true look at what’s possible at AIM.”
AIM’s inclusion in Season 16 of The College Tour signals a broader shift in how trade and technical schools are represented in mainstream media. While many episodes traditionally cover four-year universities and large academic institutions, AIM’s feature highlights the growing recognition that skilled trades—especially those linked to national transportation infrastructure—play a vital role in the workforce.
For students considering alternatives to traditional college programs, the episode will offer insights into:
- The earning potential of FAA-certified aircraft maintenance technicians
- The rapid job placement and career advancement opportunities in aviation
- The practical, hands-on learning model that allows students to build confidence and expertise
- The importance of aviation maintenance in ensuring safety, efficiency, and innovation in air travel
By reaching audiences who may not have previously considered technical education, AIM’s feature has the potential to influence career decisions and broaden awareness of an industry central to the nation’s mobility and commerce.
As production begins and anticipation builds, AIM’s upcoming appearance on The College Tour stands as a milestone moment not only for the institution but for the aviation maintenance field as a whole. The episode is expected to serve as an engaging introduction to the world of aircraft maintenance education, emphasizing the critical role technicians play in supporting global aviation.
With a June 2026 premiere, millions of viewers will soon have the chance to see how AIM shapes the next generation of skilled aviation professionals—one student, one hangar, and one aircraft at a time.
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