The business aviation industry’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is promising to create a host of job opportunities for people with skills and training in sustainability or related fields – especially young professionals.
“Obviously, we all are very focused on sustainability, but young people seem to be especially aware of the need for sustainability programs, so we don’t negatively impact the climate and the environment,” said Jennifer Pickerel, president of Aviation Personnel International (API). “I think young professionals (YoPros) too are just more eager to embrace and familiarize themselves with emerging technologies that help make this possible.”
Many business aviation operations have created roles for a sustainability officer or sustainability manager, whose responsibility it is to track and document all sustainability efforts while ensuring all sustainability-related activities are executed safely and effectively, according to all regulations.
“I always tell students, if you have an opportunity to take any environmental science or environmental courses in college, then take them, even if these courses don’t have to do with aviation,” said Stewart D’Leon, NBAA director of environmental and technical operations. “What you might find is you’re the one bringing this really valuable information into the organization.”
In fact, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a Master of Science in Aviation and Aerospace Sustainability, which is available online or at Embry-Riddle’s Asia campus. Students in this program focus on recent advances in science, practice and innovation so they can understand, analyze and apply aerospace sustainability strategies. They learn how technical advances and improved management practices can help companies meet both operational and environmental goals. They also learn the skills and methods necessary to implement sustainable practices in the aviation/aerospace industries and beyond.
Program graduates qualify for the position of sustainability manager, according to Leila Halawi, doctor of business administration, associate professor and research coordinator of Embry-Riddle’s College of Aviation, Graduate Studies Worldwide Campus, who served as the program coordinator for several years.
The program also provides guidance through all the relevant laws and regulations. “The program is growing significantly and showing great promise, attracting environmentally conscious students from various backgrounds, including pilots and senior management professionals,” said Halawi.
Other colleges that offer aviation sustainability programs or concentration paths include the University of Illinois, University of Michigan, Everglades University and University of Toronto.
“If you have an opportunity to take any environmental science or environmental courses in college, then take them.”
Stewart D'Leon, NBAA Director of Environmental and Technical Operations
CLIMBING. FAST.
As a sign of the huge industry shift that’s driving the need for people with sustainability training, business aviation came together as a unified group in 2023 to create CLIMBING. FAST. This advocacy campaign showcases business aviation’s many societal benefits – like creating jobs, connecting smaller communities, providing airlift for humanitarian aid during disasters and as an incubator for new, zero-emissions technology. CLIMBING. FAST. also acts as a leading voice in the industry’s commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
It highlights how the industry is reducing emissions from today’s airplanes and helicopters, while developing hybrid, electric and even hydrogen-powered propulsion; smarter, faster, more efficient routes that require less energy; and the implementation of sustainability best practices to minimize airports’ environmental impact.
On the forefront of that mission will be a legion of sustainability officers leading the way.
Formalizing the Role
The role of sustainability officer or manager is not always a formal position – but that’s changing. “I have seen organizations tap a leading person on the shoulder and say, ‘Hey, we’d like you to head up our sustainability efforts for the flight department,’” D’Leon said. “Similar to the way it was in the past with a safety officer, for example, it’s a collateral duty. That’s what we’re starting to see with a sustainability representative.”
D’Leon believes the industry will continue to see the development of sustainability – especially in larger organizations – into a formal position. “So, when you start talking about the FBO chains or some of the fractional ownership organizations – some really big organizations there – I think you’re going to see a formal position be developed,” D’Leon said.
Aviation Jobs in Sustainability
A search for open positions in aviation sustainability shows that a wealth of jobs are available. Also driving demand for people with sustainability training is the growing popularity of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), the environmentally friendly alternative to conventional Jet A.
SAF can be produced from non-petroleum-based renewable feedstocks including, but not limited to, food and yard waste, woody biomass, fats/greases/oils and other feedstocks. It can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to Jet A.
“Think about anything that you do in the world, any kind of job that you want, whether you want to be an accountant or you want to be an engineer or you want to work for a fuel company,” said Nancy Bsales, chief operating officer at 4 Air, which is focused on developing aviation sustainability programs for businesses. “Any job can fit into the walls of sustainability now because sustainability will help us do the same work with less resources in the future.”
For those with such training, there is a bright future ahead in business aviation.
“We’ll see an evolution of having somebody who’s more focused on sustainability,” said Bsales. “But I think when it comes to business aviation or aviation in general, a sustainability officer is also going to be very focused on efficiency and compliance. And I can see those being mixed together, because again, one thing I always love about business aviation is, it’s usually small, mighty teams doing wonderful things.”
Learn about aviation sustainability initiatives at climbingfast.com.
Sustainability Is Top Priority for Recent Grad
Trisica Young’s path to a career in business aviation began at the intersection of being a singer at Disneyland in California, and learning how to fly at a university-affiliated flight school.
Just two months into her flight training, the flight school lost its affiliation, forcing Young to change her plans. She got pulled into what she terms “a system of care, looking into sustainability.”
Fast forward a few years, and Trisica is now headed full-tilt into a career in sustainability after earning a Master of Science in Aviation and Aerospace in Sustainability with a concentration in Human Factors from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Master of Aviation Sustainability program.
“I graduated with distinction – and it was not easy working a full-time job while doing that – but it was incredibly rewarding,” said Young, who also is a graduate of University of North Carolina, Pembroke, NC.
While she works with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, she sees numerous career opportunities ahead in aviation sustainability. She currently is talking to airport officials who are looking for an air quality specialist.
“Innovation and new technologies and practices that reduce the environmental footprint of aviation itself are a top priority for me,” said Young. “Especially when it comes to airport operations and managing air quality issues that are related to that.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.