City Council Approves $1 Million Incentive for Aviation Mechanics School

SAN ANGELO, TX – The San Angelo City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution authorizing up to $1 million in economic development incentives to establish an aviation mechanics school in partnership with Howard College and Skyline Aviation. The initiative aims to provide training and certifications for aircraft mechanics, addressing a growing industry need.

The resolution, approved during the Dec. 3 meeting, supports Skyline Aviation’s plan to create a program offering Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certifications. The school will operate as a joint project between Howard College and Skyline Aviation, with Skyline offering a one-year certification program through night classes and Howard College providing a two-year associate degree program through daytime courses. Both programs will share the same facilities, instructors, and equipment.

Assistant City Manager Michael Dane explained that the Skyline program enables students to complete their training in just one year, while Howard College’s two-year program offers the advantage of potential eligibility for financial aid.

Skyline Aviation plans to invest $1.5 million in equipment for the program, hire 30 instructors and a program manager, and build two new hangars at the San Angelo Regional Airport to support both the mechanics school and Angelo State University’s flight training program. Over the next three years, Skyline anticipates hiring up to 18 additional mechanics at approximately $65,000 per year plus benefits.

Currently, Skyline operates with 30 aircraft, 47 instructors, and 180 students, surpassing its agreement targets with ASU. By 2025, the company expects to add 10 more aircraft and 50 additional students, bringing the total to 200.

Skyline Aviation’s six-year growth plan includes projections of 350 flight school and mechanics students and the construction of a $3.5 million hangar by 2027.