By Barbara A. Schmitz
If you are looking for a job in aviation, there are 28 businesses with 280 job openings looking for you. And they’re all on the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 grounds at participating exhibitor booths.
EAA’s annual Aviation Job Fair is back and it runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. It’s not just pilot, flight attendant, or maintenance positions that are open, but everything from parts clerk, to ramp agent, quality assurance auditor, airline general manager, customer service agent, and more. Companies such as Airbus, Cirrus Aircraft, Piedmont Airlines, Pilatus Business Aircraft, Van’s Aircraft, and others are hiring for positions nationwide.
Sarah Hankla is with pilot recruitment at Ameriflight. She said they come to AirVenture to recruit because of the unique opportunity it affords to talk to young and aspiring pilots.
“There is more interest this year,” she said, adding that they are also seeing more qualified candidates.
Heather Phillips, a recruiting specialist at Air Wisconsin, said Oshkosh is a good place to recruit pilots and other employees, and the job fair is a unique opportunity for job candidates to talk to all recruiters in one place.
“Come talk to us and see what we’re about,” Phillips said. “This year there has been a lot of good interest from some very good people.”
Phillips said Air Wisconsin is actively hiring for pilots, flight attendants, crew schedulers, dispatch, and other positions. It has 21 positions listed at EAA.org/JobFair.
Cory Lombard, check airman with Wheels Up, said they have “tons of openings” for flight and crew schedulers, maintenance personnel, and pilots. They like participating in the EAA job fair because many of the people who attend have the skill sets they need.
“We’re a growing company and will be one of the largest 135 operators,” he said, encouraging people to stop by their booth to learn more.
Pilot Hiring Manager Jen Baron said SkyWest comes to AirVenture annually to recruit because of attendees’ love for aviation.
“It’s a fantastic place to meet with prospective aviation professionals and companies from across the industry,” Baron said. “This year we are especially excited to talk to those who are pursuing their dreams to become a pilot or aircraft mechanic.”
She said they are excited about the strong qualifications of people applying at Oshkosh. “There has never been a better time for those who are interested in becoming pilots or aircraft mechanics,” she said, “and we’re here to continue encouraging more young people to consider these amazing careers in aviation.”
Air Wisconsin, Ameriflight, SkyWest, and Wheels Up can all be found in the Education Career Center. You can find other exhibitor locations online or in the EAA Official Visitor & Camper’s Guide.
Aviation Job Fair
Where: Education Career Center in Aviation Gateway Park
When: Sunday, August 1st at 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Can’t make it to the job fair? Check out EAA’s Aviation Job Search page on our website for job postings year-round.