JROTC Partnership — Mission Aviation Academy

Why JROTC students belong in aviation

JROTC cadets already have discipline, chain-of-command, and mission focus. The military aviation career pipeline — from enlisted aviation ratings to pilot slots to A&P maintenance credentials — rewards exactly those qualities. MAA puts the first FAA credential within reach while the cadet is still in school.

Career paths this program opens

Each pathway has a clear JROTC-to-FAA-credential bridge.

✈️

Commercial Pilot (ATP)

Private → Instrument → Commercial → ATP

Military service time and GI Bill can accelerate the certificate sequence. BLS median: $226,600 (airline, BLS May 2024).

🛸

Drone / UAS Operator

FAA TRUST → Part 107 Remote Pilot

Fastest credential in aviation. Most cadets complete TRUST and Part 107 prep within one MAA Saturday series.

🔧

Aviation Maintenance (A&P)

FAA A&P Mechanic Certificate

Documented military maintenance experience can substitute for school graduation under 14 CFR 65.77. BLS median: $78,680.

🗼

Air Traffic Control

FAA AT-CTI / Military-to-ATC pathway

Military service opens a priority hiring lane to the FAA. BLS median: $144,580.

🤖

AI Innovation & Tech

MAA AI App Builder Certificate

Build real AI applications — no coding experience required. Aviation and defense applications dominate the track.

🚀

Aerospace Engineering

MAA AeroSTEM pathway · 2027

For the cadet who wants to design what others fly. Launching 2027 — interest registration open now.

How the partnership works

MAA handles the aviation — you supply the cadets and the coordination.

Become a Co-Op Partner

Your JROTC unit or school submits a Co-Op Partner intake form. MAA's Director of Operations coordinates with your program instructor or JROTC instructor on schedule, cohort size, and SUFS eligibility screening.

SUFS screening for every eligible cadet

Step Up For Students (SUFS) scholarships can cover MAA programs at $0 cost for most income-eligible families. MAA screens and supports applications — cadets don't navigate this alone.

Cadets enroll in the Saturday Academy

Classes run every Saturday at Tampa North Aero Park (X39). Class A (Drone Intro), Class B (AI Innovation), simulator sessions, and discovery flights all run on the same day. Cohorts are 6–8 students per class.

Credential earned, record documented

Cadets complete the program with a recognized FAA credential and an MAA program record. This feeds directly into JROTC leadership portfolios and military application records.

School tour — bring MAA to you

MAA's Hidden Treasures Tour brings the Red Tail Roost, book sessions, and SUFS enrollment support to your campus for a one-day aviation career day. No cost to the school for a Co-Op partner tour stop.

SUFS Scholarship — Most eligible cadets pay $0

Step Up For Students (SUFS) is a Florida scholarship program that can cover the cost of MAA programs for income-eligible students. MAA is a SUFS-designated provider. Cycles open in July, October, January, and April.

Covers Class A (Drone), Class B (AI Innovation), and PPL simulator sessions
$8,000 per student per cycle — most students exhaust their program before exhausting the scholarship
MAA handles application support — you don't navigate the portal alone
TEER and FES-UA/PEP designations tracked by compliance requirement

Partnership tiers

Choose the level of engagement that fits your unit's schedule and capacity.

ENTRY

Career Day Visit

MAA brings the Red Tail Roost and a career presentation to your campus. One day, zero cost to the school. SUFS enrollment on site.

STANDARD

Saturday Cohort

Cadets enroll in the Saturday Academy — drone, AI, simulator, and discovery flight. SUFS covers most costs. 6–8 cadets per cohort.

FULL CO-OP

Curriculum Integration

MAA curriculum delivered on your campus or at X39, integrated with your JROTC program calendar. Licensing agreement with your school or district.

Tuskegee Airmen Inc.
Chappie James Chapter

"When I was young, nobody handed me a roadmap. I figured it out by failing, by showing up, and by finding mentors who saw something in me I didn't always see in myself. Lt. Col. George Hardy soloed at Tuskegee when the system said he couldn't. That legacy runs through this program."

— LCDR Ricardo "Tattoo" Foster, USN (Ret.) · Founder, Mission Aviation Academy · Mentored by Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Col. George Hardy (Class 44-H-SE, 332nd Fighter Group)

Ready to start?

Contact admissions to begin the Co-Op Partnership conversation — bring your JROTC unit roster size and we'll map the right entry point.