Jan 11, 2019
University Aviation Association (UAA) member students visited NBAA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 10 to learn about careers in business aviation as part of the UAA Policy Seminar. Students in attendance were given an overview of NBAA’s history and current role as an advocacy group for the business aviation industry.
“We are here to help people in this profession. Not only to get them into this industry, but to give them a reason to stay in business aviation,” said Dan Hubbard, NBAA senior vice president, communications.
Workforce development was a focus of the meeting, with several attendees asking questions about projected trends in regard to various industry professions. For example, discussions surrounded anticipated pilot shortages, and the viability of potentially modifying or expanding the criteria for pilot flight-hour requirements. The increasing number of internships in business aviation also was discussed as a way to give students exposure to the industry, and develop a pipeline of potential pilots.
NBAA’s Mentorship and Young Professionals (YoPro) programs were introduced to the students, highlighting the YoPro Business Aviation Top 40 Under 40 awards, and the invaluable networking benefits the Mentorship and YoPro initiatives provide. “Last year we had 20 mentor/mentee pairs and we’re hoping to double that next year,” said Tyler Austin, NBAA senior manager, certification. “We’ve seen a lot of positive feedback from that program, and one student even got a job based on the connections she made.”
Beyond the workforce discussion, Alex Gertsen, NBAA director, airports and ground infrastructure, discussed NBAA’s work in airport advocacy, promoting the industry’s value to communities across the U.S., and providing resources in support of members’ operational needs, including through NBAA’s website. At the end of the discussion, a question-and-answer session offered students the opportunity to ask NBAA staff questions about their career paths, regulatory changes and more.
“We feel the students who visited with us left with a better understanding of business aviation, and the opportunities that are available in the industry,” said Austin.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.