Students surprised with summer internships

DALLAS — Aviation students from Hampton University in Virginia were recently surprised with paid summer internship at the JSX headquarters in Dallas.

JSX, a hop-on jet service that offers flights between a variety of airports, including some general aviation airports, offered eight students who were identified by university officials as the “best of the best” the internships during a roundtable discussion presented by Watch The Yard, an online media company specializing in the black college experience.

After completing a roundtable discussion with actors Jay Ellis and Greg Tarzan Davis from the new “Top Gun: Maverick” movie, the students were asked to “gear up” for being “the best of the best” in the future of aviation, where JSX Chief Corporate Soul Officer Kevin Horan announced the paid internship opportunity to the surprise of the future aviators. Video from the roundtable discussion can be seen here. 

As part of the internship program, the company will pay for students to receive flight simulator time from Rick’s Aviation and Prevailance Aerospace to help them achieve their dreams of flying professionally.

Company officials added the program will continue, with a total of 18 students through 2026.

Hampton University is one of five historically black colleges with a university-level aviation program. Hampton University’s department of aviation, established in 1985, offers bachelor’s degree programs in air traffic control, aviation management, airport administration, and flight education, as well as a minor in aviation management. 

Another Top Gun Airplane

To commemorate the release of the long anticipated “Top Gun: Maverick” Paramount Pictures commissioned a custom-wrapped JSX aircraft, which is making the rounds this spring, popping up in 16 markets across California, the Midwest, and elsewhere.

In early May 2022, the cast and VIP guests of the new film were flown on a series of special flights from Bob Hope Airport (KBUR) in Burbank, California, to San Diego International Airport (KSAN) with retired Navy pilots Commander Chris “Chilly” Swilley, Commander Bryan “Dionne” Worswik (JSX Standards Training Captain), and Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Robert “Spud” Boyle (JSX Chief Pilot).

The new Top Gun movie opened in theaters May 27, 2022.