Aviation Management     

 

  The area of interest and eventual employment that I am interested in is in the area of Aviation Management.  This is a very interesting and exciting field of study and potential employment.  I am attending Santa Fe Community College with plans of acquiring an Associates of Science Degree in Business Management. After obtaining my Associate of Science degree from Santa Fe, I plan on attending the University of Florida to pursue my Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.After reviewing several sources of information on this particular subject, I came to the conclusion that there is a demand for aviation managers in the current workforce environment. There are opportunities at the government and private sector levels needing experienced aviation management professionals. According to my research the trends of

availability in this specific job description appears to be cyclical. During the last several years (2000-2004) according to  U.S. Department of Labor statistics there have been an increase in available aviation management positions primarily in the government sector. This increase is due to attrition and retirements of affected individuals. On the other hand there has been a moderate decrease in available positions in the private sector. This can

 be attributed to the effects of post September 11, 2001. These private sector positions primarily consist of managing F.B.O.s (Fixed Based Operations) at smaller regional airports. The government positions available range from managing large metropolitan airports to managing air traffic control facilities. The approximate salary compensation package for an entry level aviation manager in the government arena is between $52,000.00 and $65,000.00 annually. The salary for this position in the private sector is approximately $85,000.00 to $117,000.00 annually, depending on the market area. 

   

  My interest in this particular field of study and eventual vocation is due to my love and excitement of aviation. Even at an early age I always had a great desire and interest in aviation. I currently am a licensed private pilot with approximately 130 hours logged. I am very close to completing my studies and fulfilling the requirements to obtain my instrument pilot’s license as well. Being around airplanes has always been a joy to me.  

To be employed in the aviation industry would not only be an exciting adventure, but also something that I would give 150% of my time and commitment too. 

    

 During my research I had the opportunity and pleasure to interview Mr. Jay Curtis, the manager of University Air Center in Gainesville, Florida. The University Air Center is the largest F.B.O. at the Gainesville airport. Incidentally, this is the same business that I learned how to fly at. This business has approximately thirty employees and has a flight training school and provides numerous support functions for the entire Gainesville Regional Airport. Some of these functions are charter flights, fuel supply functions and

medical flight support for the area hospitals. In summary, Mr. Curtis stated that he has managed this business for five years and that he was very happy and fulfilled in this career field. Curtis is also an accomplished pilot who has numerous pilots’ license. Curtis owns several airplanes and even pilots one of his business’ corporate jets. Mr. Curtis earned his M.B.A. in Aviation Management from the prestigious Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.  Mr.Curtis provided me with a lot of useful and important information regarding my research project. In conclusion, it is  

evident that I have chosen the correct career path that fit my personal and professional aspirations.