American Aerospace Technical Academy
American Aerospace Technical Academy is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 2015 that provides nondestructive testing (NDT) training, certification preparation, and the only nationally recognized NDT apprenticeship program in the U.S., serving veterans, women, minorities, and economically disadvantaged individuals pursuing careers in aerospace, manufacturing, and energy inspection.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What American Aerospace Technical Academy does
American Aerospace Technical Academy (AATA) is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 2015 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, that provides nondestructive testing (NDT) training, certification preparation, and registered apprenticeship programs for entry into the aerospace, manufacturing, energy, and construction inspection workforce. The organization's core offering is a 400-hour NDT Technologies Certification Program covering 10 methods (VT, PT, MT, UT, RT, PAUT, CR/DR, Radiation Safety) aligned to SNT-TC-1A and NAS 410 standards, delivered through a blended model combining self-paced video content, live instructor-led sessions via Zoom, and optional in-person hands-on lab training at Cal State LA and a Houston facility. AATA also operates the only nationally recognized NDT apprenticeship program in the United States, approved by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship in July 2016, which combines classroom instruction with employer-sponsored on-the-job training.
AATA serves three primary student segments: veterans and transitioning military personnel, women and minorities, and economically disadvantaged individuals, with tuition waived for California residents, veterans, GI Bill recipients, and those at or below the poverty line. Custom employer training and apprenticeship OJT programs address corporate demand from aerospace and energy employers facing skilled labor shortages and aging workforce turnover. AATA's revenue is sourced primarily from government and defense grants (cumulative disclosed awards of approximately $5 million since 2016 from the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, California Apprenticeship Initiative, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Department of Defense), with a $7,495 standard tuition that applies primarily to out-of-state or non-funded students, plus donations and corporate sponsorships. The organization partners with Foothill College (26 transferable credits), Cal State LA, workforce development boards in California and Texas, and a December 2024 Department of Defense-funded consortium with Arizona State University, New Mexico State University, and Navajo Technical University to modernize NDT training through VR and simulation tools.
American Aerospace Technical Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- American Aerospace Technical Academy
- Legal name
- American Aerospace Technical Academy
- Website
- https://aatatraining.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- American Aerospace Technical Academy is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 2015 that provides nondestructive testing (NDT) training, certification preparation, and the only nationally recognized NDT apprenticeship program in the U.S., serving veterans, women, minorities, and economically disadvantaged individuals pursuing careers in aerospace, manufacturing, and energy inspection.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where American Aerospace Technical Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
American Aerospace Technical Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Grant Funding: AATA operates primarily through government grants including $1 million from California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, $3.5 million Department of Defense grant (with ASU), and $500,000 Pre-Apprenticeship Grant. These grants fund training programs for veterans, women, and minorities.
- Tuition and Fees: Course fee of $7,495 for out-of-state/non-funded students. Book fees of $325 for ASNT materials. Free tuition for California residents, veterans, and those at or below poverty level through state, federal, and veteran funding sources.
- Donations and Sponsorships: Nonprofit accepts donations, corporate sponsorships, and in-kind donations to support operations and training programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | One time | Free Training for California Residents |
| Subscription | One time | Free Training for Veterans and Low-Income |
| Subscription | One time | Standard Tuition (Out-of-State/Non-Funded) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
American Aerospace Technical Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
American Aerospace Technical Academy provides a 400-hour structured NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) Technologies Certification Program covering 10 inspection methods (VT, PT, MT, UT, RT, PAUT, CR/DR, Radiation Safety, Eddy Current), aligned with SNT-TC-1A and NAS 410 standards, combined with the only DOL-approved nationally recognized NDT Apprenticeship Program. The blended learning model pairs self-paced custom training videos with live instructor-led Zoom sessions and optional in-person hands-on labs at Cal State LA and Houston, preparing students for Level I and Level II NDT certifications.
Product overview
American Aerospace Technical Academy (AATA) offers a unified NDT training platform centered on its 400-hour NDT Technologies Certification Program, which is the core curriculum covering 10 nondestructive testing methods. This is supplemented by the nationally recognized NDT Apprenticeship Program, which allows concurrent education and on-the-job training. Additional offerings include Self-Paced Online Training via NDT Video Library partnership, Custom Employer Training Programs for organizational needs, and a Certification Process with proctored examinations. The programs are designed to be affordable and accessible, with free tuition for qualifying veterans, women, minorities, and economically disadvantaged individuals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- NDT Technologies Certification Program A structured 400-hour curriculum preparing individuals for occupational roles in nondestructive testing and inspection, meeting SNT-TC-1A and NAS 410 standards. Covers 10 NDT methods including Liquid Penetrant, Magnetic Particle, Ultrasonic, Radiographic Testing, Phased Array, Visual Testing, and Computed/Digital Radiography. Targeted at individuals seeking careers as NDT technicians.
- NDT Apprenticeship Program The only nationally recognized NDT apprenticeship program in the U.S., allowing apprentices to gain education and on-the-job training in parallel. Government funds pay for education modules while OJT at employer facilities provides hands-on experience. Approved by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship and the California Department of Apprenticeship Standards.
- Self-Paced Online Training Online training via partnership with NDT Video Library offering cutting-edge blended training with self-paced custom training videos combined with live Q&A sessions via Zoom where students interact with instructors and classmates. Targeted at individual students seeking flexible self-paced NDT training.
- Custom Employer Training Programs AATA designs programs to specifically meet each employer's needs, including gap training on newest methods for existing employees and government-funded apprentice programs tailored to company labor training requirements. Targeted at employers in aerospace, manufacturing, oil & gas, petrochemical, nuclear, automotive, and construction industries.
- NDT Technologies Certification Examination NDT Technologies Certificate requiring completion of all training hours and passing 10 separate proctored final exams based on SNT-TC-1A and NAS 410 standards, with 3 attempts maximum per exam. Awarded to graduates of the AATA NDT Technologies Certification Program.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 90% of students graduate from the program
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use American Aerospace Technical Academy
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
American Aerospace Technical Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
American Aerospace Technical Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Arizona State UniversitycoreCollaboration on $3.5M DoD grant for C2D project to modernize nondestructive testing training through virtual reality and simulation tools. Joint initiative with New Mexico State University and Navajo Technical University.
- New Mexico State UniversitycorePartner in $3.5M DoD C2D project to modernize nondestructive testing training through VR and simulation tools. Collaboration with ASU and Navajo Technical University.
- Navajo Technical UniversitycorePartner in $3.5M DoD C2D project for modernizing nondestructive testing training. Tribal university partnership for workforce development.
- NDT Video LibrarycorePartnership to offer online NDT training 100% online with self-paced custom training videos and live Q&A via Zoom with instructors. Students receive certificates upon completion.
- Foothill CollegecoreStudents enrolled through Foothill College receive 26 college credits applicable toward future Associates or Bachelors degree at the college. articulation partnership.
- California State University Los Angeles (CSULA)corePartnership on $1 million grant for apprenticeship program development. CSULA engineering department involvement in NDT program. Joint CWI preparatory course offering.
- US Department of LaborcoreAATA worked closely with US DOL to create the only nationally recognized NDT apprenticeship program in the U.S. Program officially approved by DOL's Office of Apprenticeship in July 2016.
- California Department of Apprenticeship StandardscorePartnership for state-registered apprenticeship programs through local education partners (LEA). AATA awarded $1,000,000 grant from California Apprenticeship Initiative for new and innovative programs.
- March JPA/MARSminorMarch Joint Powers Authority partnered with AATA on $500,000 pre-apprenticeship grant for workforce training at March Air Force Base location.
- Orange Coast TestingminorOrange Coast Testing joined AATA's NDT Apprenticeship Program in October 2016 for employee training.
- IQS Integrated Quality ServicesminorIQS joined AATA's federally approved NDT Apprenticeship Program in September 2016. Supportive of AATA's mission since day one.
- The Spaceship CompanyminorThe Spaceship Company joined AATA's NDT Apprenticeship Program in September 2016 for employee career development.
- Los Angeles Unified School District DACEminorDACE Apprenticeship partnership as part of $1 million grant for NDT training program development.
- Northrop GrummanminorCorporate partner logo displayed on AATA partners page. Active in aerospace NDT industry.
- NASAminorCorporate partner logo displayed on AATA partners page. Space agency requiring NDT technicians.
- Element Materials TechnologyminorCorporate partner logo displayed on AATA partners page. Testing and inspection services company.
- PCC AerostructuresminorCorporate partner logo displayed on AATA partners page. Aerospace structures manufacturer.
- Mistras GroupminorCorporate partner logo displayed. Global provider of integrated asset protection solutions using NDT methods.
- SCC InspectionminorCorporate partner logo displayed on AATA partners page. Inspection services company.
- SpaceXminorCorporate partner logo displayed. Space company actively hiring AATA-trained NDT technicians.
- Sterling InspectionminorCorporate partner logo displayed on AATA partners page. NDT inspection services provider.
- Virgin GalacticminorCorporate partner logo displayed on AATA partners page. Space tourism company requiring NDT services.
- Willick EngineeringminorCorporate partner logo displayed on AATA partners page. Engineering and inspection services.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
American Aerospace Technical Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Penn Foster: Large online career and technical education provider. Comparable in delivering self-paced technical training online, including industrial and skilled-trade credentials, at much greater scale.
- Universal Technical Institute (UTI): Large public technical education provider with aviation, automotive, and industrial programs. Broad incumbent in technical/vocational training serving overlapping career-track demographics.
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM): Multi-campus aviation maintenance training organization with broader aviation MRO curriculum. Comparable as a technical aviation training incumbent where NDT is one program line within a wider portfolio.
Others
- American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT): Industry standards body and certification authority for NDT. Not a direct competitor but is the certifying ecosystem AATA operates within, and a key channel/marketing partner for AATA.
- Workforce Development Boards (California and Texas): Government workforce intermediaries that co-fund and recruit for NDT training programs across multiple providers. They are ecosystem participants rather than competitors but shape AATA's enrollment funnel.
Direct peers
- Hellier NDT: A long-established private NDT training provider offering SNT-TC-1A aligned courses across multiple methods. Direct competitor in the same NDT technician training category with similar employer and aerospace customer base.
- Technical Training Inc. (TTI): Private NDT training school offering classroom and on-site SNT-TC-1A courses in UT, RT, MT, PT and VT. Closely comparable NDT-specific training operator serving industrial employers.
- Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: Aviation-focused technical college with NDT/Quality Control programs aligned to FAA inspection roles. Comparable in aerospace NDT training mission and graduate placement into aerospace employers.
Regional players
- Moraine Valley Community College NDT Program: Community college NDT certificate program serving the Chicago region. Comparable community-college NDT training model, but regionally scoped and not nationally recognized apprenticeship.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
American Aerospace Technical Academy social profiles
Digital presenceAmerican Aerospace Technical Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
American Aerospace Technical Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
American Aerospace Technical Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
American Aerospace Technical Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about American Aerospace Technical Academy
What does American Aerospace Technical Academy do?
American Aerospace Technical Academy provides a 400-hour structured NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) Technologies Certification Program covering 10 inspection methods (VT, PT, MT, UT, RT, PAUT, CR/DR, Radiation Safety, Eddy Current), aligned with SNT-TC-1A and NAS 410 standards, combined with the only DOL-approved nationally recognized NDT Apprenticeship Program. The blended learning model pairs self-paced custom training videos with live instructor-led Zoom sessions and optional in-person hands-on labs at Cal State LA and Houston, preparing students for Level I and Level II NDT certifications.
Is American Aerospace Technical Academy a public or private company?
American Aerospace Technical Academy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was American Aerospace Technical Academy founded?
American Aerospace Technical Academy was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is American Aerospace Technical Academy based?
American Aerospace Technical Academy is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does American Aerospace Technical Academy make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Grant Funding is the primary driver. The others are tuition and Fees and donations and Sponsorships.
Who are American Aerospace Technical Academy's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Penn Foster, Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM). Others are American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) and Workforce Development Boards (California and Texas). Direct peers are Hellier NDT, Technical Training Inc. (TTI) and Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. Moraine Valley Community College NDT Program is listed as a regional player.
Does American Aerospace Technical Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for American Aerospace Technical Academy.