Over 400 middle school, high school and college students from schools in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. recently visited the ProJet Aviation’s 4th Annual Aviation Expo at Winchester Regional Airport to learn what a career in aviation has to offer.
 The Expo, which is completely free for students and participating vendors, is co-sponsored by ProJet Aviation, a D.C. metro area aircraft management and charter operator, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the largest, most influential aviation association in the world and FlightSafety International, one of the world’s largest flight safety training organizations.

 This year was FlightSafety’s first year as a corporate sponsor and Dan Walker of FlightSafety was pleased and impressed.
 “It would be impossible to leave this event and not be inspired by the experience and opportunities provided.  We were happy to be a part of the expo, and hope to partner on this effort for many years to come.”

Forty-six vendors donated their time and resources to educate students on the many careers in aviation, such as aviation safety, training, aerial mapping, aircraft and avionics maintenance, and emergency response services. Local catering companies, businesses, and professionals donated and sponsored lunch for all students, guests and vendors.  From 10am until 2pm, students had the opportunity to crawl through several types of aircraft, fly a simulator, and interact with aviation professionals.

 In addition to a K-9 anti-drug demonstration presented by Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Patrol unit, there were presentations by some of the industry’s most influential and inspirational speakers, including: Scott Stocker, Chief Pilot for Delaware Park, Ian Twombly, AOPA’s Deputy Editor for their flight training magazine, and Katie Pribyl, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) representative, spokesperson, and pilot.

 Julie O’Brien, Director of Marketing for ProJet and co-founder of the expo explained to the students: “You will never find so many people in one place that are all completely sold on and passionate about what they do every day!”

 Ian Twombly added, “I think it’s great when an industry can get together and show students the world outside.  There are cool ways to work hard.”
Aviation entrepreneur, aerobatic pilot, and “Dream Launch Tour” founder Jamail Larkins gave the keynote speech, thrilling students with stories and images of his amazing aviation pursuits.  Larkins regularly travels to schools nationwide on his DreamLaunch Tour, promoting careers in aviation.  In addition to being featured in Parade magazine and on The David Letterman Show, the 25 year-old has shared the podium with Gen. Chuck Yeager at various fund-raising events, and will be featured in the upcoming edition of Inc Magazine.

 The Aviation Education Expo was honored to be a recipient of the 2009 Wolf Aviation Fund Grant.  The grant allowed the Expo to expand this year, explained O’Brien.  “The Wolf Grant allowed us to grow the event in some new directions, and accommodate more students than ever before.”

 To learn more about ProJet Aviation please visit : www.ProJetAviation.com.

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