AMC Competition Announces Key Rule Updates for the 2027 Competition Series

The AMC is announcing two important rule updates that will take effect beginning with the 2027 Competition Series. These changes are designed to improve inclusivity, support global participation, and promote competitive fairness across all categories of The Competition.

Education & Training Category Expansion

Beginning in 2027, the former “School” category will officially become the Education & Training Category. The updated category broadens eligibility to include participants enrolled in:

• Aviation maintenance training programs certificated by a national aviation authority, including aviation maintenance technician schools (or “A&P schools”), and equivalent international programs
• Registered apprenticeship programs

The change reflects the evolving global aviation maintenance workforce pipeline and recognizes the many different pathways individuals take into the profession, particularly outside the United States where apprenticeship and authority-certificated training models are common.

AMC believes this update will create additional opportunities for participation while better aligning The Competition with the international aviation maintenance community.

New Affiliated Team Scoring Rule

AMC is also implementing a new Affiliated Team scoring rule to further promote competitive fairness.

Under the new rule, teams employed by the same company hosting a competitive event will automatically be considered an “Affiliated Team” for that event. Event Hosts will also be asked to voluntarily disclose any other teams or organizations with access to practice on the equipment used in a competition event.

To help level the playing field, Affiliated Team scores for their associated event will be adjusted to one second slower than the next best non-affiliated score. If multiple Affiliated Teams compete in the same event, score adjustments will increase in one-second increments based on placement.

These adjusted scores will be used in overall Competition scoring.

These updates reflect AMC’s continued commitment to fairness, workforce development, and global industry engagement. As The Competition continues to grow internationally, these rule changes help ensure the event remains inclusive, competitive, and representative of today’s aviation maintenance industry.

Additional information and the complete 2027 Competition Rules are available at https://www.amccompetition.com/rules.