ProJet Aviation, AOPA and FlightSafety International Present 4th Annual Aviation Education Expo

Nov 11, 2009 10:05 AM

On October 13, 2009, more than 400 middle school, high school and college students from schools in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. came to the ProJet Aviation Corporate Aviation Facility to experience a taste of what aviation had to offer at the 4th annual Aviation Education Expo. The event was held at the Winchester Regional Airport to help make students, faculty and parents aware of the numerous career opportunities within the aviation industry.

The Expo, which is completely free for students and participating vendors, is co-sponsored by ProJet Aviation, a D.C. Metro area aircraft management and charter operator; the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the largest, most influential aviation association in the world; and FlightSafety International, one of the world’s largest flight safety training organizations. This year was FlightSafety’s first year as a corporate sponsor.

“It would be impossible to leave this event and not be inspired by the experience and opportunities provided here," said Dan Walker of FlightSafety. "We were happy to be a part of the expo and hope to partner on this effort for many years to come.”

Forty-six vendors donated their time and resources to educate students on the many careers in aviation, such as aviation safety, training, aerial mapping, aircraft and avionics maintenance and emergency response services. Local catering companies, businesses and professionals donated and sponsored lunch for all students, guests and vendors. Students also had the opportunity to crawl through several types of aircraft, fly a simulator and interact with aviation professionals.

In addition to a K-9 anti-drug demonstration presented by Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Patrol unit, there were presentations by some of the industry’s most influential and inspirational speakers, including: Scott Stocker, Chief Pilot for Delaware Park; Ian Twombly, AOPA’s Deputy Editor for its flight training magazine; and Katie Pribyl, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) representative, spokesperson and pilot.

“You will never find so many people in one place that are all completely sold and passionate about what they do every day!” Julie O’Brien, Director of Marketing for ProJet and co-founder of the Expo, explained to the students.

“I think it’s great when an industry can get together and show students the world outside," said Ian Twombly. "There are cool ways to work hard.”

Aviation entrepreneur, aerobatic pilot and “Dream Launch Tour” founder Jamail Larkins gave the keynote speech, thrilling students with stories and images of his amazing aviation pursuits. Larkins regularly travels to schools nationwide on his DreamLaunch Tour, promoting careers in aviation. In addition to being featured in Parade magazine and on The David Letterman Show, the 25-year-old has shared the podium with Gen. Chuck Yeager at various fund-raising events and will be featured in the upcoming edition of Inc Magazine.

The Aviation Education Expo was honored to be a recipient of the 2009 Wolf Aviation Fund Grant. “The Wolf Grant allowed us to grow the event in some new directions, and accommodate more students than ever before,” O'Brien said.

For more information about ProJet, visit www.projetaviation.com.

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