Hasbrouck Heights-based The Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) will host a red-carpet premiere event on June 2 to celebrate its inclusion in Amazon Prime Video’s hit series The College Tour.
The exclusive screening, taking place at AIM’s Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Campus in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, marks a historic milestone as AIM becomes the first-ever aircraft maintenance trade school to be featured on the nationally recognized program.
The event will include step-and-repeat photo opportunities, a preview screening of the episode, and a live panel discussion featuring AIM students alongside series host and The Amazing Race winner Alex Boylan.
The episode arrives as a massive wave of industrial retirement and increased post-pandemic air travel demand squeeze the commercial aviation sector. Recent market projections show the global shortfall of certified aviation maintenance technicians could spike to roughly 60,000 workers by 2029.
To stabilize operations, major airlines and global logistics carriers are aggressively expanding recruitment pipelines and investing directly in FAA-aligned educational partnerships.
Through authentic, firsthand student perspectives, The College Tour spotlights how AIM bridges this gap by immersing students in high-intensity, hands-on mechanical environments rather than traditional lecture halls.
As the cost of standard four-year universities continues to outpace starting salaries, more American families are taking a hard look at high-yield alternative pathways.
“At a time when students and families are reevaluating the return on investment of traditional higher education, this episode showcases how career-focused training can create direct pathways into high-demand careers in economically critical industries like aviation maintenance,” Jason Pfaff, chief executive officer of the Aviation Institute of Maintenance.
AIM operates a coast-to-coast network of campuses supplying Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aligned training programs to ensure graduates transition cleanly into aerospace manufacturing, commercial airlines, and defense operations.
Boylan echoed the value of shifting the cultural spotlight toward skilled labor. “This episode gives viewers an inside look at the passion, discipline, and hands-on experience that define the AIM community, while highlighting the skilled trades as a strong alternative pathway to traditional higher education.”
Audiences unable to attend the New Jersey premiere can stream the full episode on Amazon Prime Video, via The College Tour mobile application, or on the show’s official website.
