VAN NUYS, California — Nearly 200 students attended the 16th annual “The Sky’s the Limit: Aviation Career Day” presented April 29, 2022, by Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
The annual event, which was held virtually for a second consecutive year, provides a forum for high school students to learn about the variety of career paths available in an airport environment, say officials at the nation’s busiest general aviation airport.
“Aviation offers an endless variety of career paths, from pilots and support crews to engineers and architects, and we are proud to share our passion for this work with students,” said Justin Erbacci, CEO, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). “The Van Nuys Airport Aviation Career Day offers students a glimpse of working at one of the busiest general aviation airports in the world, and we thank our partners for sharing their time and knowledge with these future leaders.”
The program featured more than 20 organizations, including LAWA, the Los Angeles Airport Police Division, Los Angeles Fire Department, Aerolease/Aeroplex, Clay Lacy Aviation, the U.S. Navy, Sun Air Jets, the FAA, and others.
Breakout sessions allowed speakers to share information about their organizations, careers, and personal stories, including Nancy Herrera, who shared her professional journey from attending North Valley Occupational Center to working at JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory). Students also heard from VNY Airport Director Flora Margheritis, who discussed how her career path started with an internship with LAWA and led to becoming director of one of the busiest airports in the nation.
Students were also treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the history and daily operations of VNY, airport officials said, noting the GA airport had more than 300,000 operations in 2021. More than 200 businesses are located on the 730-acre airport, including four FBOs and numerous aviation service companies.
The airport, which contributes approximately $2 billion to the Southern California economy annually, supports more than 10,000 jobs. It also provides programs to benefit residents, along with educational initiatives and aviation-related career and training opportunities.
More than 20,000 students have participated in annual Aviation Career Day events since the first one held in 2006, airport officials said.
For more information about VNY, go to iflyvny.com.