With an eye on developing careers in business aviation alongside commercial aviation, Auburn University hosted professionals from more than 60 companies and organizations for its annual event dedicated to the sector. Held recently, the third annual Auburn Business Aviation Days (ABAD) brought together industry leaders and professionals, faculty, staff, and students for events that included roundtable discussions, class speakers, workshops, networking, and a golf tournament.
NBAA president Ed Bolen and Jet It CEO and founder Glenn Gonzales were among the guest speakers. Also during the event, 15 corporate aircraft flew into Auburn University Regional Airport for a private static display and networking fair with students. These included a Gulfstream G500 flight testbed, a corporate Gulfstream G600 from Medical Properties Trust, an Embraer Praetor 600 demo aircraft, and corporate helicopters from Duke Energy and Southern Company, according to Will Leveille, an Auburn alum and founder of Business Aviation Days.
“This was a rare opportunity for students to experience private aviation firsthand,” said Leveille, who added that the goal of the event is to promote careers within business aviation that appeal to both flying and non-flying students, including jobs such as scheduler and dispatcher and positions in sales, insurance, and marketing.
“To most students learning to fly in Auburn University’s historic aviation program, the clear path is to build up enough experience in the cockpit to fly for a major U.S. airline,” he said in an article he wrote on the event, adding that that’s why airlines such as Delta initiated pathway programs at educational institutions such as Auburn. “However, while the airlines may have the biggest need—4,000 pilots, over the next five years—they are not the only operators that will need personnel in the cockpit and on the ground. Cargo, military, and business aviation companies will all face the same staffing struggle.”
“Many students [in Auburn’s aviation program] come from an airline family or a non-aviation background, so to be able to interact with top business aviation industry professionals is an extraordinary and invaluable experience,” Auburn Aviation student Sarah Taylor told Leveille.
Many students had an interest in business aviation careers after attending the event, Leveille said.
“The one-of-a-kind event owes its success to the myriad of alumni, organizations, and companies throughout the business aviation industry who saw the value and need for such an event,” he added. “They truly want to share their love and passion for business aviation with the next generation of industry professionals, and that is what makes this event so special.”
