Jasper County Airport hosted an Aviation Career Day on May 12, 2017. Local students from Jasper and surrounding counties were invited to tour the airport and learn about aviation careers from industry professionals. Over 600 students attended, spread out throughout the day, in addition to dozens of parents, teachers, and school administrators. On hand to discuss aviation careers were over two dozen professionals from various aviation careers including multiple static displays. A hand full of local volunteers helped the event flow smoothly.
Although this was the first year for the event, several attendees are already clamoring for next year. Several teachers that were not able to attend Aviation Career Day this year, have reached out to the airport, asking to be notified for future events.
A special thanks to the numerous volunteers and exhibitors who put a lot of effort and resources into the event-
Station A (Technical)
TSA – Chris Millott
FAA – Christina Sullivan, Jim Keefer,
IN DOT- Michael Buening, Adam French
ATC- Mike Debb (retired)
Airport Management- Brad Cozza (Indianapolis Executive Airport)
Airport Engineering – Steve Sandefur (NGC)
Station B (Maintenance)
Maintenance- John Sjaardema (Excel Air Services)
Maintenance- Aaron Stephenson (Vincennes)
Station C (Science/Demonstration)
Flight- Andy Miller (AOPA)
Science Demonstration- Jake Marino (Purdue)
Station D (Military)
Military Aviation- Maj. Robert Jendzio (IN Guard)
Engineering- Dan Beauchamp (Lockheed Martin)
Engineering- Tom Westbrook (Lockheed Martin)
Station E (General Aviation)
Air Ambulance/Crew- Greg Ingle (Lutheran Air)
Air Ambulance/Crew- Nathan Jennings (Lifeline IU Health)
Flight Education- Ryan Lunch (Indy Ace Academy)
Flight Education/UAS- Cullen Fisher (Purdue)
Flight Education- Melanie Ferber (Vincennes)
Aerial Applicator/Crop Duster- Russell Finnegan
Corporate Aviation- Derich Schultz (Midway Electronics)
In addition to aviation education through annual Aviation Career Day events, Jasper County is working with Indian Trails Vocational Coop in order to bring aviation to local high schools. The airport is also working on developing training that can be used to obtain an aviation badge through Scouts, Navigators, etc. Jasper County Airport has also been asked to host an aviation spark club for 4H. We are working on bringing a first responder aviation safety training program to the community.
More to come on these as well as other exciting educational and community outreach projects!