Limitless Pathways to Success Showcased at NBAA Careers in Business Aviation Day

Oct. 24, 2019

Students from across the country attended the closing day of NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) to learn about the limitless opportunities for success within business aviation. Highlighted by a stirring call to action from FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, the annual Careers in Business Aviation Day event drove home a compelling message: a growing industry needs you.

Following Dickson’s wide-ranging conversation with six inquisitive students from the Las Vegas and Washington, DC areas, the administrator took the Career Day stage to paint a realistic, but inspiring picture of an aviation industry in need of young talent for the hundreds of students in the audience.

“Aviation is growing fast – over the next 20 years we’ll need about 800,000 pilots, 700,000 technicians, a million flight attendants and more people in roles such as physicians, data scientists and manufacturers,” said Dickson, who was sworn into his role this past August.

Dickson asked the students in the audience to consider how essential aviation is to the fabric of our modern society. Touching on topics ranging from urban air mobility to success stories of young aviators, his speech showcased an industry on the forefront of innovation.

“This is the most exciting time for aviation since the introduction of the jet engine,” Dickson said.

He encouraged young people to embrace their roles as influencers, including using social media as a platform to communicate aviation career opportunities to peers.

After Dickson’s well-received presentation, Jim Payne, chief pilot of the stratospheric Perlan 2 sailplane, walked students through the rigorous behind-the-scenes process that enables his awe-inspiring experimental aircraft to take flight.

Following the keynote speakers, students were invited to tour the exhibit floor – including a UAS/UAM Innovation Display featuring unmanned aircraft systems and urban air mobility vehicles – and visit the aircraft display at Henderson Executive Airport, in order to get a hands-on look at some of the newest and most exciting business aircraft of today.

Ultimately, NBAA’s Careers in Business Aviation Day communicated an inclusive invitation to students of all backgrounds to join an exciting, innovative industry, where they can have an important role in building the future of aviation.

“That’s what aviation is really about – connecting people and cultures from around the world,” said Dickson.

For more student-focused information about careers in business aviation, review NBAA’s resources for students.

To review more show highlights, visit:
NBAA-BACE Newsroom
NBAA TV Video
NBAA-BACE Photo Galleries