Education Committee Update
Capt. Mark Bolleter (United) discusses required navigation performance with aviation students and faculty at Louisiana Tech University.
Louisiana Tech Students Study Navigation
Air navigation was the focus of ALPA’s recent presentation at Louisiana Tech University. Capt. Mark Bolleter (United), an ALPA Education Committee volunteer, discussed required navigation performance and how pilots use it to fly in today’s airspace. This visit was a resounding success with more than 40 aviation students and faculty present and engaged in the discussion.
ALPA Builds Presence at MSU Denver and Oklahoma State
ALPA Education Committee volunteers visited two universities in November 2018—Metropolitan State University (MSU) of Denver and Oklahoma State University—as part of the Association’s strategic initiative to mentor aspiring aviators.
At MSU Denver, ALPA members connected with more than 70 collegiate aviators during the campus visit. Capts. Mark Eden (Frontier) and Scott Singleton (Compass) and F/Os Martin Connor (Virgin America), Stephen Rocha (Delta), and Thomas Rossow (Virgin America) talked with students in four different classes about ALPA and the benefits of its professional development program. They also held a forum for upperclassmen to learn about the current industry climate and career prospects.
Aviation students at Oklahoma State received an inside look at a day in the life of an airline pilot from Capts. Kent Moffer (United) and Richard Shepherd (Delta) and F/Os Nick Bowers (PSA), Bryan Rosenthal (PSA), and Jason Rozneck (Delta). Approximately 50 students attended the presentation and asked many questions throughout. In addition, several students took the opportunity to talk one-on-one about their career paths with the pilot volunteers.
Following these successful university visits, plans are under way to continue additional outreach efforts.
ALPA Education Committee members at Purdue University’s Annual Aviation Technology Career Fair late last year.
ALPA Mentors Aspiring Aviators at Purdue
Purdue University’s Annual Aviation Technology Career Fair in late November 2018 was a tremendous success due in large part to the unique role ALPA’s Education Committee played to prepare and mentor students. The night before, Capts. Jeff Malcomb (JetBlue), Mitch Murgoitio (Compass), and John Racanelli (Spirit) and F/Os Trevor Fenimore (Spirit) and David Schlichting (FedEx Express) hosted a workshop to assist students with their résumés and conduct mock interviews. After a short presentation by ALPA’s pilot mentors and Brad Cozza, Indianapolis executive airport director, students were divided into small groups to work one-on-one with a mentor.
Approximately 50 students attended this workshop, and many reported that the role-playing exercise succeeded in building their interviewing skills as well as their confidence.
At the career fair the following day, students stopped by ALPA’s booth to further prepare for their discussions with recruiters and onsite interviews. They also returned to the booth after the meetings to share what they had learned.
ALPA pilots interacted with approximately 150 students at the career fair, and 26 new students signed up for mentors.
ALPA currently has professional development and/or mentoring programs at 11 universities in the United States. Through these and other outreach efforts, ALPA’s Education Committee promotes the piloting profession, mentors aspiring aviators, and prepares future generations of pilots to join the ranks of ALPA members. For more information or to get involved, contact Education@alpa.org.
