Built in 1971, the Brown Arch serves as the official flight line entryway into the EAA’s fly-in and symbolizes the “gateway to aviation."

From the sputtering radial engines of the Ford Trimotor to the thunderous roar of the Blue Angels, it was hard to miss the nearly 3,000 show planes overhead at the 65th EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in convention in July, which boasted an attendance of 590,000. The constant cacophony throughout Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago region served as a not-so-subtle reminder of America’s—and the world’s—continuing fascination with flight.

Representatives from every sector of aviation were on hand, including ALPA pilot volunteers and staff who, after a decade-long hiatus from the event, took part in the mass celebration at Wittman Regional Airport to promote and inspire the next generation of airline pilots while celebrating the astounding progress air transportation has achieved in a little more than a century.

In addition to a top-notch air show and numerous activities, Oshkosh gives attendees a chance to engage with like-minded individuals who recognize the benefits of working together to advance aviation—whether learning about innovations in air transportation, exploring new career opportunities, or reaching out to those interested in becoming airline pilots. During the seven-day event, the Association hosted various functions and activities designed to promote the North American airline industry and advance ALPA’s strategic goal of securing the future of the airline piloting profession.

On the air

F/O Richard Swindell (United), left, ALPA’s Professional Development Group chair, talks with EAA radio announcer F/O Jeff Montgomery (United).

F/O Richard Swindell (United), ALPA’s Professional Development Group chair who coordinated the Association’s attendance at Oshkosh, spoke with “J Mont G” (aka F/O Jeff Montgomery [United]) and Dave Chameson of EAA Radio during the week as part of a live interview. Broadcasting from a makeshift outdoor studio, Swindell said, “This is a great opportunity for us to come back and connect with our roots because we all started in small aircraft.” He noted that finding common experiences and interests is paramount to establishing relationships and working together to advance the profession.

Amid the sounds of planes periodically buzzing across the sky, Swindell acknowledged the wonderful reception he and other ALPA volunteers had received, saying, “We’ve been welcomed with open arms, and I can’t tell you what a positive experience this has been.”

That warm welcome began with the event’s host, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). In addition to working closely to solidify various activities during the week, the EAA and ALPA, along with other industry stakeholders, have joined to form an important new partnership.

“Today we’d like to announce the launch of Aviation Works 4U (aviationworks4u.org),” said Capt. Paul Ryder (ExpressJet), ALPA’s national resource coordinator, at a press conference with representatives from both the EAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Ryder described the initiative as a coalition of aviation industry stakeholders coming together to promote North American aviation careers. He explained that the key to ensuring a steady stream of future job candidates for the industry is to better expose the many kinds of professional opportunities that exist and the various pathways to attain them.

During the event, Swindell and Ryder spoke to flight attendants, air traffic controllers, manufacturers, and maintenance representatives at the Boeing-sponsored Aviation Works 4U networking dinner. Ryder noted that as a first step, Aviation Works 4U is reaching out to school counsellors and youth-centric organizations to ensure that students and their parents have direct access to information about air transportation career paths, scholarships, and other pertinent resources.

Life on the line

F/O Mark Haley (United), ALPA’s Education Committee chair, gives a presentation titled “Airline Pilots: A Day in the Life.”

F/O Mark Haley (United), ALPA’s Education Committee chair, headlined one of Oshkosh’s many EAA forums and workshops, giving a presentation titled “Airline Pilots: A Day in the Life.” He spoke to a packed crowd about what it’s like to fly for a living.

Haley fielded numerous questions from students and their parents who were interested in learning more about domicile assignments, schedule bidding, pay, and the life of an airline pilot. He jokingly told the audience, “One of the first questions I get asked is ‘what’s your schedule or route?’ Being rather junior, I laugh and say, ‘whatever everyone else doesn’t want.’”

At EAA’s Forum Plaza, Ryder presented “Course to an Airline Pilot Career,” outlining the numerous ways to prepare for an airline flying job. “Not right or wrong, not better or worse, I’m just going to point out what some of the considerations are for a recruiter looking at résumés and comparing pilots.” Periodically pausing for the sounds of nearby passing aircraft, he emphasized the value of a four-year college degree and volunteering opportunities along with the necessary ratings and certificates airlines look for.

“Women Fly”

F/O Sara Wilson (Alaska), right, with Jamie Brian, winner of an Alaska B-737 model in a raffle at ALPA’s “Women Fly” event

Another highlight of ALPA’s attendance at Oshkosh was its “Women Fly” event. Throughout the week, ALPA volunteers circulated tickets to young women interested in learning more about becoming airline pilots. By Friday evening, hundreds lined up outside the EAA’s Partner Resource Center for a chance to hear from a panel of five female airline pilots about their flying experiences and what they love about the work they do.

Lori Garver, ALPA’s general manager and former NASA deputy administrator, moderated the event, noting that despite the fact that women broke the airline pilot gender barrier decades ago, females represent only about 5 percent of the current airline pilot ranks. She encouraged those in attendance to consider aerospace jobs, stressing, “If you’re truly passionate about getting where you need to go, you won’t let anything get in your way.”

The Women Fly panelists included F/O Kandy Bernskoetter (FedEx Express), ALPA’s Membership Committee chair; F/O Karen Lacy (ExpressJet), ALPA’s first female executive vice president (who was recently hired by Delta); F/O Lisa Peasley (Delta); Capt. Valerie Scott (United); and F/O Sara Wilson (Alaska). After her opening remarks, Garver moderated a question-and-answer discussion with the pilots who shared their experiences and their perspectives on the airline industry.

The event kicked into high gear when the audience was given the opportunity to query the panelists. Dozens of young women, ranging from elementary school kids to recent college graduates, wanted to know what obstacles the five pilots have faced; what special resources, if any, are available for female pilots; and what it’s like to fly while raising a family. Quick to respond to this latter question, all five pointed out that men make the same sacrifices and that female flight attendants, who fly similar schedules, successfully balance work and family, so why can’t female pilots.

An unplanned cameo appearance by Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin was a memorable experience for the panelists and audience alike. At Garver’s invitation, Aldrin stopped by to lend his support. The Women Fly event was capped off with a raffle for model aircraft generously donated by Alaska, Delta, FedEx Express, and United.

Nearby at the Education and Career Center at EAA’s Aviation Gateway Park, dozens of ALPA volunteers—pilots like Capt. Mike Arcamuzi (FedEx Express) and his daughters Stephanie and Alexandra, both Endeavor Air first officers, helmed the Association’s information booth. Throughout the week, thousands of Oshkosh attendees stopped by to ask questions and learn more about the piloting profession. In addition, numerous ALPA pilots who were enjoying the event’s many demonstrations and displays visited the booth to sign the member register.

In fact, this year’s Oshkosh broke a record for airline pilot attendance. By Saturday, with still one more day to go, more than 1,600 airline pilots had attended the fly-in convention—breaking the 2016 record of more than 1,200 airline pilots.

Camping out

In addition to its various outreach efforts to promote the profession, ALPA held evening receptions at the airfield’s Camp Scholler. Just a 15-minute walk from the Association’s information booth, the campsite featured picnic tables, a barbeque, an open tent, and a fire pit. Students, particularly those from colleges and universities where ALPA maintains ACE Clubs and other partnerships, were invited one night to have dinner and chat with airline pilots.

On another evening, a large contingent of American Airlines pilots from the Allied Pilots Association (APA) walked from their campsite to join the group for an ALPA/APA mixer while on another night current and retired ALPA members gathered to celebrate “Old Goats Night.” Each of these receptions was scheduled to give participants time to have dinner and socialize before returning to the airfield’s main grounds for evening air shows, which featured precision aerobatics from many of the world’s top air show performers along with stunning pyrotechnics.

ALPA’s Camp Scholler receptions were graciously sponsored by the Air Wisconsin, Alaska, Atlantic Southeast, Delta, Endeavor Air, Envoy Air, ExpressJet, FedEx Express, Frontier, Hawaiian, Jazz Aviation, JetBlue, Mesa, Piedmont, PSA, Trans States, United, Virgin America, and Wasaya Master Executive Councils (MEC).

In addition to ALPA’s network of volunteers, many current and retired pilots attended this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on their own time. Next door to the Aviation Works 4U networking dinner, Capt. Adrian Eichhorn (JetBlue), who was profiled in “Our Stories” (see the December 2016 issue), talked about his flight around the world in a reconfigured Beechcraft Bonanza to the Ninety-Nines, the nonprofit international association of women pilots.

ALPA pilots who worked at the information booth in the Education and Career Center at EAA’s Aviation Gateway Park gather for a group photo.

Just up the aisle from the ALPA informational booth, Capt. Carl Fleming (Air Wisconsin, Ret.) spoke to aspiring pilots about job opportunities at Air Wisconsin. Fleming, who flew for his carrier for 41 years, served for 14 consecutive years (from 1994 to 2008) as the pilot group’s MEC chairman. Now retired from flying, he works as a part-time recruiter.

Scott, one of the panelists at ALPA’s Women Fly event, had another separate gig going on. She’s in the process of being checked out on the Commemorative Air Force’s Devil Dog, a U.S. Marine-version of a World War II-era B-25 bomber, and helped fly it to Oshkosh for the event (see “Our Stories,” August). When not volunteering for ALPA at the event, Scott shared the history of the Devil Dog and details about its performance with flying history buffs at the airfield’s Warbird Alley.

Nearby in Boeing Centennial Plaza, F/O Mark Rogers (United), a past ALPA Air Safety Award recipient and former director of ALPA’s Dangerous Goods Program, was checking out the event’s numerous displays with his father, Capt. Ron Rogers (United, Ret.), a former ALPA safety volunteer.

Every ALPA pilot volunteer and member who ventured to Oshkosh played an important role at this year’s aviation extravaganza. They interacted, shared ideas, and made connections—engaging with past, present, and future generations of aviation professionals and enthusiasts while sharing their passion for flying and promoting the piloting profession. EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in convention truly is one big opportunity not to be missed.