The numbers tell the story: More than 100,000 business aviation professionals will be required within the next nine years to meet projected growth and offset anticipated retirements, according to CAE. America’s veterans can provide an important key to solving this looming workforce challenge.
“Around 200,000 professionals are transitioning each year out of active military service, and the business aviation industry needs to get its hands on that talent,” explained Chuck Hodges, vice president of Veterans and Military Transitional Events for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “Our job is to help them make that connection.”
After serving 30 years in the Army and retiring as base commander of Joint Base Lewis-McCord in Tacoma, WA, Hodges set his sights on helping other transitioning military personnel find their best next career.
“The big challenge for business aviation is that most people think there are no opportunities if they’re not a maintainer or pilot. That’s wrong. There are many great careers available in IT, finance, security, logistics, facilities, safety and others,” Hodges said. “Transitioning military people just need to open their aperture for new opportunities.”
Hodges said that’s one goal of the U.S. CoC Foundation. The team organizes more than 50 events at domestic and international U.S. military bases, helping transitioning military personnel acquire job-hunting skills and begin networking with prospective employers.
Building a network of industry contacts through in-person meetings, online sources like LinkedIn and attending NBAA-hosted regional business aviation events is the No. 1 tip when any military person is looking to transition.
Air Force Air Traffic Controller to Bizav Pilot
“Networking is critical. You can’t get anywhere if you sit back and look at your phone waiting for someone to find you,” said Rob Mark, a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society and CEO of aviation media creator CommAvia. “You have to get out and meet people and let them know what you want to do. It’s the only way to get a feel for any business.”
Building a network was key to Marks’ military-to-civilian transition. After his discharge from the Air Force as an air traffic controller in 1971, he took his first big career step by becoming a controller at Chicago Executive Airport (PWK), where he was introduced to business aviation.
“I earned all of my pilot ratings through my G.I. Bill, and after eventually leaving the FAA, I was hired as a pilot by Chicago’s Midway Airlines. I flew for them for three years before the company went broke,” Mark said. “While I was working at [Chicago] Executive Airport, I had met several corporate pilots and decided to ask about getting into business aviation. I went to work as a Part 135 charter pilot and found I loved it.
“I also started writing for aviation publications on the side, to fill in my extra time between charters,” Mark added. “I just kept digging deeper into all the aspects of communications. I still enjoy the challenge. There are so many great career options in business aviation today that veterans should think about.”
From Fighter Jet Crew Chief to Assistant Director
It takes curiosity to learn about opportunities available in business aviation, said Chuck Stroman, CAM, assistant director of operations for Executive Jet Management (EJM).
“While I was serving in the Air National Guard as a crew chief for F-15 fighter jets, I went to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to study aeronautical science. I earned all my pilot certifications and started flight instructing,” Stroman explained. “I had learned a lot about business aviation and decided that’s the career path I wanted. My first job was flying for a charter company in the Midwest, then as a contractor in Southeast Asia.
“I got a lot of experience over the next 10 years, but when I decided to change jobs – I wanted to fly an ultra-long range business jet – I started applying for every job I could find doing that,” Stroman said. “I also reached out to everyone on LinkedIn who I felt could help me make a connection. I was present in leveraging all the contacts I could make to find the right job.”
Today at EJM, Stroman continues to build his network – something he stresses strongly to others – and uses it to help transitioning military personnel find their place in the business aviation industry.
Bizav CEO Started as US Marines Maintenance Tech
Military professionals are known for their dedication to their teams, but many are also strongly driven toward individual success. Such was the direction that pilot and Semper Fly flight school CEO Brandi Rector took after serving as a maintenance technician and aerial gunner aboard a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter.
“When I transitioned out, I chose to stay in aviation because that is what I know and loved and where I felt I could make the greatest impact,” Rector said. “My path from the Marines to founding Semper Fly was not a straight line, but it was always in aviation. By the time we decided to start the helicopter flight school, we knew we weren’t going to tiptoe in – we jumped straight into the deep end.
“We secured a contract with the University of Oklahoma and went from zero to three helicopters and a simulator almost overnight,” said Rector. “We are on track to receive our VA approval to begin training veterans and are also expanding our Part 135 charter operations.”
When it comes to business aviation career opportunities, veterans should be flexible, Rector said.
“Business aviation thrives on problem solvers and leaders who can perform under pressure – and those are the skills every service member already has. I also encourage everyone to be open to roles that may not look like the job you had in the military, but to leverage those skills in new ways,” she said. “Many veterans underestimate how valuable and transferable their military experience is in business aviation.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.