Plymouth Redevelopment Commission backs $50,000 for Aircraft Mechanics Training Program

The Plymouth Redevelopment Commission voted Tuesday evening unanimously to support a $50,000 funding request from AlphaFlight to purchase equipment for a new Aircraft Mechanics training program through the North Central Career and Technical Education Cooperative — a program that could play a key role in building a local workforce pipeline for the aviation industry.

Jodi and Jake Marohn of AlphaFlight presented the request to the commission, explaining that the funds would be used to equip the second year of the program during the 2027-28 school year. The hands-on, high school-level program is set to launch during the 2026-27 school year, with the funding not required until early to mid 2027.

AlphaFlight is partnering with Ivy Tech and new CTE Coordinator Allie Shook to develop the curriculum. Students in the program will learn aircraft maintenance skills, including sheet metal work, welding, and other technical disciplines.

"Aviation maintenance is the PhD of all maintenance technicians," Marohn noted, explaining that the skills learned in the program go far beyond what is typically taught in other maintenance training, making graduates highly sought after across multiple industries. He added that while 95% of newly trained aircraft mechanics don't initially work in aviation, they are quickly hired by other industries because of the depth of their training.

Jake Marohn emphasized the importance of building a local talent pipeline. Unlike pilots trained at AlphaFlight — who tend to disperse across the country after completing their training — mechanics tend to put down roots and stay in one place.

"Regardless of whether they do the production of Maloy aircraft here or not, they do want to have training quarters here with several aircraft of their own, and they will need mechanics for that as well," Marohn said.

Graduates of the program could find employment in a range of local opportunities, including maintenance work for AlphaFlight, positions in South Bend, or work at the maintenance shop in Rochester.

The program connects to a broader economic development opportunity for Plymouth. Nearly a year ago, AlphaFlight — a premier flight school based at Plymouth Municipal Airport — entered a milestone aerospace partnership with Florida-based Maloy Aircraft. Through the deal, AlphaFlight will serve as the launch customer for Maloy's new MA-1 Blue Jay aircraft and act as an official training provider.

Maloy has not yet determined where the new aircraft will be produced, and the City of Plymouth is actively working to entice the company to locate near the airport. Mayor Listenberger said significant progress has been made in recent months, and Redevelopment Commission members will soon receive a full presentation on the city's "Air Plan" for the airport.

Marohn said the CTE program is designed not only to support AlphaFlight's maintenance needs, but also to supply mechanics who could eventually build Maloy aircraft right here in Plymouth. "Mechanics make great money," Marohn added, noting the strong career prospects for students who complete the training.

The commission's unanimous vote to support the funding in the first quarter of 2027 signals strong local backing for what could become a cornerstone of Plymouth's growing aviation economy.