Aviation Career Night

pilot is the cost of training. The cost of flight time is very expensive. Almost all of my expenses have been covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill, but there are limits to this funding.”

Lewis said her experience at LSC has been very positive.

“I have been very welcomed at LSC’s flight school. My performance has never been questioned because of my gender. Being a competent pilot is based on how well you communicate with others and demonstrate good judgment on the ground and in the air,” she said.

Friday,March 16 ,5 –8 pm

RSVP Online: lsc.edu/AviationCareerNight

With a master’s degree in social work, Della Warren has spent most of her professional life as a social worker. She is currently a case manager for St. Louis County. While still working full time, Warren is enrolled in an evening cohort of LSC’s aviation maintenance technician program. As a person who loves puzzles, she said she enjoys doing hands-on work that yields results.

“When you put a wing on a plane, you get a sense of accomplishment. In social work, you can help vulnerable people, but there is a lot of paper pushing involved to get that help.”

The role of an “airframe and powerplant mechanic” involves assessing and repairing all parts of an aircraft, including the engine, electrical systems and structural systems. Warren recommends the program, noting that the demand is skyrocketing for aircraft mechanics, and graduates can locate anywhere once they are FAA certified as an A&P mechanic.

“It’s hard, physical work. It’s squeezing your fingers into a very small space to tighten a bolt. It’s brain work. You problem-solve as you work toward the solution. You can’t rush to fix a problem but it’s very rewarding,” Warren said.

For people interested in pursuing a professional pilot or AMT career, Traska recommends they meet with LSC’s aviation instructors and advisers.

“Taking a ‘Discovery flight,’ where you are at the controls, is a good way to get hooked on aviation,” he said. “Many of our grads end up working for us as flight instructors. After gaining experience in the field as a flight instructor, our alumni go on to work for regional airlines, corporate flight departments or for freight carriers.”

LSC works closely with area employers AAR and Cirrus.

“Many of our AMT students find employment with both AAR and Cirrus Aircraft prior to earning their AMT licenses,” Traska said. “Once our students earn their FAA licenses, they become more valuable to the employer, and this increases the employee’s earning potential as well.” D Janet Blixt is an information officer for Lake Superior College. She wrote this for The Woman Today.

Summer academy for high school girls

Lake Superior College will offer its free Women in Aviation Summer Academy for high school age girls in June. It includes career exploration, tours, female presenters from aviation businesses such as SCS Interiors, Ikonics, Cirrus Aircraft, AAR, Delta Airlines, American Airlines and the 148th Fighter Wing, and a Discovery flight. Aviation scholarships are available through Women in Aviation International, wai.org, and the Lake Superior College Foundation, lsc.edu/ foundation.