Aviation Aerospace Expo inspires students to seek out future careers in aviation

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Paula Aragon
  • 150th SOW Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The New Mexico Air National Guard and the New Mexico Aviation Aerospace Association hosted the 3rd Annual Aviation Aerospace Career Expo here at the 150th Special Operations Wing ramp. 

This year's event brought in approximately 1,700 students from around the state, mid-school through college age participants, who experienced hands-on interaction with the many displays. The expo also provides students the opportunity to meet, explore and engage with today's leaders of the New Mexico Aviation and Aerospace Industry.

The mission of the expo is to educate, motivate and entice students into a possible career path in the aviation and aerospace industry. The event emphasizes the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics with exhibits geared toward these disciplines.

Lt. Gov. John Sanchez, a guest speaker, expounded on the importance of the expo and how it is an excellent opportunity to showcase these industries and keep these jobs in New Mexico.

"The event here today is a premier event in our entire country which showcases New Mexico as a top contender for aerospace and aviation prospects," Sanchez said. "These jobs can be retained right here in New Mexico. We are a natural fit for aviation with over 300 days of flying weather."

Events like this play a vital part in educating young minds and getting students to think about their futures in aerospace and aviation. It is predicted that within the next ten years there will be a shortage of over 1.2 million trained pilots, maintainers and support personnel to fill current demands. The increasing demand on commercial aviation alone has exploded with business travelers and families traveling throughout the world. Getting youth interested in what might be a future career gives them the opportunity to think ahead and plan a path to the areas related to STEM.  

Exhibitors offered insight to the many career offerings within aviation and aerospace industry. One such exhibit, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., offers 25 students, twice a year, an opportunity to apply and attend a Youth Aviation or Space Camp.

Another exhibitor, Angie Slingluff and a SAMS C-172 Cessna, offered the students the opportunity to sit inside and experience the feel of the aircraft. In addition, she handed several handouts that explain different ways to apply for aviation scholarships as well as aviation activities for youths such as Civil Air Patrol and the Youth Aviation Adventure to Real World Design Challenge.

"The New Mexico Aviation and Aerospace Association is able to focus on the education availabilities within the aviation field here in New Mexico," said retired Lt. Col. Bill Shuert.

This year's expo theme celebrated women in science and aviation. Females in STEM fields make up about 50% of those working in these occupations. The event demonstrates that these careers are no longer male dominated and women score equivalently on tests of raw IQ with some studies showing women scoring slightly higher. But while women are highly competitive in this area, there is a lack of females in the aviation industry here in New Mexico.  The expo provides a venue to inform and educate females of these career opportunities to help correct that.

Maj. Jennifer Chase, an Idaho Air National Guard A-10 pilot, knew from a young age that she wanted to be a pilot. This may have been because her father, Mike Chase, was a pilot in the NMANG, and thus, it became a love of her own. School was where she needed to go to attain her goal.

She worked hard and earned a degree in physics. She recalls her father encouraging her and telling her it will be a challenge and she can achieve as much as the boys, if not more. Not only is she an A-10 pilot, she is also a commercial airline pilot, flying for United Airlines.

"In 2005, I came back from pilot training.  I was the first female A-10 pilot with my unit [Idaho ANG] and was informed that I was the eleventh female A-10 pilot in the world," Chase said. "I wanted to serve my country and fly, and now I am able to do both."

Maj. Marisa Ryan, an HH-60G pilot with the 150th SOW for the past 12 years, instructs students at the 58th SOW located on Kirtland AFB.  She has a Bachelor of Science in Human Factors Engineering from the Air Force Academy and a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle.

"When I was in 3rd grade, I told my mom that I wanted to be a baggage handler at the airport. She asked me why and I said because I like airplanes," Ryan said. "She told me to think a little bigger - to consider becoming a pilot. I hadn't even considered it. I was lucky to have someone who encouraged me like that."

Soak it up!" said Staff Sgt. Araceli Saunders with the New Mexico Air National Guard and a commercial rated twin engine pilot, "Learn and absorb all of the information being offered to you here today."

Since the beginning, the expo has provided students with priceless information from exhibitors while enjoying the various aircraft that flew in to make the event spectacular.  This year was not different as roughly 28 schools and 40 plus exhibitors flocked to the event.  For many of the students, the opportunity to see military aircraft up close might just be a once and a lifetime experience.