AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2018 - 37

YOU CAN FLY

'No better time to become a pilot'
High school symposium highlights opportunities in aviation
B Y D AV I D T U L I S

EDUCATORS "PLANT THE SEEDS" that will allow students to blossom into
aviators or pursue aviation-related careers, said David Tatum, director of
pilot recruiting for American Airlines, welcoming 255 attendees to the third
annual AOPA High School Aviation STEM Symposium in Fort Worth, Texas,
in November.
During opening remarks, Tatum noted the aviation industry is expected
to retire thousands of pilots, mechanics, and air traffic controllers within
the next 20 years. "What that means is that it's an incredible opportunity
for young people considering a variety of aviation career options."
"There's really no better time to become a pilot," said Envoy Air Senior
Vice President for Air Operations Dee Temples, who added that the air
carrier "introduced signing bonuses, retention bonuses, and increased pay
steps" for incoming pilots.
Teachers, principals, and school superintendents filled a hangar at the
American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum, where they soaked up science, technology, engineering, and math curriculum and tips that were designed to
inspire and encourage students in grades 9 through 12. Energy extended
into breakout sessions, social gatherings, and informal chat sessions.
Many of the 15 breakout and general sessions were held near-or
under-the wings of a majestically restored Douglas DC-3 dubbed Flagship
Knoxville. The aviation-rich museum environment also showcased cutaways
of jet and piston engines, explanations of flight principles, and cabin crew
nostalgia that provided additional learning opportunities. As the two-day
session began, AOPA President and CEO Mark Baker reiterated the importance of STEM subjects as a pathway to aviation education. He thanked the
teachers and mentors for their "commitment to a very important journey."
AOPA High School Aviation Initiative Senior Director Cindy Hasselbring

said it was important to connect students with meaningful
learning experiences through aviation STEM curriculum.
She noted that a goal of the symposium was to have more
students realize that "aviation is a great career option."
Tatum reminded attendees that "flying has become
more and more accessible for young people. It's a career
field that is truly open to everyone. That's the message I
really want you to take back to your community."
EMAIL david.tulis@aopa.org

You
Can
Fly

AOPA has put several programs in place to ensure a
robust future for aviators.
The goal of AOPA's You Can
Fly High School Initiative is to
help build and sustain aviation STEM programs and to
provide a quality workforce
to the aviation industry. The
You Can Fly program and the
AOPA Air Safety Institute are
entirely funded by charitable
donations to the AOPA
Foundation, a 501(c)(3)
organization.
https://youcanfly.aopa.org

www.aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 37

https://youcanfly.aopa.org http://www.aopa.org/pilot

AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2018