As we near the end of 2014, we would like to take a moment to reflect on our event participation during the last year. From origami crane table centers at the World Aviation Training Symposium (WATS) to world-famous “Forever” notebooks at the Regional Airline Association (RAA) Annual Convention, our team certainly had many opportunities to make a splash in the industry and connect with many individuals.
Today, we would like to focus on our first-time participation in the University Aviation Association Annual Education Conference in Daytona Beach, FL this past October. Sunny beaches and soaring Air Force Thunderbirds were tempting distractions for many attending the conference. Still, conversations, connections, and collaboration abounded in the warm beach-side hotel.
Hosted by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, the conference began with an educational tour of ERAU’s Daytona Beach campus, with opportunities to experience the university’s advanced UAS simulation area and High Altitude Normobaric Lab. After tours of the College of Aviation and respective lab experiences, UAA attendees were welcomed to lunch with the dean, Dr. Tim Brady, among other noteworthy faculty members.
The conference continued Thursday morning with an intriguing opening session led by UAA President, Julie Speakes. After greeting the audience, Speakes welcomed to the stage the conference’s main speakers to discuss topics of interest in collegiate aviation. Nicole Barrette of ICAO’s Air Navigation Bureau shared points from the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) initiative, including plans to create regional solutions based on specific demographic and cultural factors in order to encourage young people to pursue aviation. Republic Airways’ VP of Human Resources, Matt Koscal, reinforced the shortage of qualified airline pilots. However, Koscal’s focus remained on the effect of the recent ATP rule (requiring 1,500 hours of first officer time in addition to an ATP certificate for pilots to qualify for passenger airline jobs) on Republic’s “millennial generation” pilot applicants; though many pilots qualify according to the ATP rule, the overall quality of candidates has decreased dramatically, in part causing the regional airline to decrease its fleet. Are airlines and flight training institutions doing enough to engage young, inquisitive pilots while teaching cockpit competency, and not focusing solely on quantity of hours, in a field facing growing challenges? Finally, Hans Reigle and Eric Crump of Delaware State University and Polk State College, respectively, addressed how the FAA ARAC Airman Certification System Working Group is improving airman certification testing, moving from quantitative and unrealistic requirements to one that more accurately measures pilots’ skills with better feedback for focused improvement.
The conference provided an ideal platform for the exchange of ideas and opinions as association members conversed over numerous areas within collegiate aviation. Committees focused on curriculum, aviation education in primary schools, distance learning, and safety discussed the current environment of their areas and sought opportunities to grow and improve. In addition, professional papers, presentations, and research findings drew many educators to cozy meeting rooms for further discussion. JETPUBS was able to attend a session concerning the future of the aviation workforce, “An Overview of the GAO Report and How College Aviation Should Respond.” The analysis focused on contributing factors to the pilot shortage and how such a shortage is an ideal recruiting tool for ushering young pilots into the industry. An open question and discussion session following the talk offered many intriguing questions, such as, “should universities partner together to make the most of advanced flight simulation resources?”; “how can newly-graduated pilots offset the tremendous costs of flight training?”; “are bridge programs with partnering regional airlines just a marketing strategy for universities?”; and “as research institutions, can’t universities show the FAA that aviation programs with reduced ATP are able to train pilots to be quality first officers, and not just enable them to achieve an hour minimum?” It is clear from these discussions that the nation’s aviation educators are dedicated to their research; studies conducted in colleges and universities will surely impact aviation in this country and the world.
At the close of the conference, a Friday night banquet honored scholarship winners and distinguished instructors, as well as new committee chairs and the upcoming UAA president. Throughout the entire event, it was important to note that many veterans are now instructing as aviation professors; those who served our country are now serving our young pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, and unmanned aerial vehicle operators, bringing years and depths of experience to the growing aviation industry.
A hot Saturday morning brought beachgoers scouting out prime spots for the Wing’s ‘n Waves Airshow by ERAU. Conference attendees and local aviation enthusiasts alike were delighted by performances by the Thunderbirds and the Geiko Skytypers, to name a few of the show’s highlights. Next year’s University Aviation Association will be hosted by Utah Valley University near Salt Lake City, UT.
– Rochelle Johnson, JETPUBS Inc.