DFW International Airport Hosts 2,000 Students At The Third Annual Aviation & Transportation Career Expo

DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (December 14, 2006) – More than 2,000 North Texas students arrived today at DFW International Airport in an effort to gain career knowledge at the Third Annual Aviation & Transportation Career Expo – one of the largest educational events of the year in North Texas. The Expo gives students an opportunity to learn about careers in a variety of aviation and transportation fields – from pilots to air traffic controllers to police officers and fire fighters. 

“Students walking through these exhibits today will be leading this great Airport in just a few years,” said Jeff Fegan, CEO of DFW. “The Expo is an outstanding stage for students to imagine themselves finding solutions to today’s transportation problems from managing a terminal, flying a plane or working with wildlife. DFW is proud to provide an opportunity for students to embrace their dreams and see how they can impact the world.” 

The Expo is staged in one of American Airlines’ maintenance hangars at DFW. The main draws include static aircraft displays including an F-16 fighter jet, vehicle displays, and hands-on demonstrations and exhibits. The Aviation & Transportation Career Expo also features representatives from industry, government and academic institutions, all available to answer questions and talk directly to students and teachers. DFW’s community outreach program focuses primarily on aviation and education for North Texas students. 

“We think it is very important that our students and communities have a full appreciation of the many opportunities available in the transportation industry, “ says Ken Capps, vice president of public affairs at DFW, where the community outreach efforts are based. “We are very pleased that so many teachers take the time out of their schedules to bring their students out and for so many great organizations and businesses to provide hands-on experience. In some cases, it may be the first time a young person has been around an airplane or at the Airport.” 

More than 30 agencies, companies and organizations including the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), the Civil Air Patrol and Lockheed-Martin are providing the displays of static aircraft and vehicles, as well as informational materials for the student attendees. 

Students will experience interactive demonstrations with a Lockheed-Martin flight simulator as well as Tarrant County College’s “Go Center” satellite equipped trailer. In addition, there will be gift bags with gift items and information on aviation, aerospace and ground transportation. Students will be able to go look inside an F-16 Fighting Falcon, an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter, C-130H Hercules military transport aircraft, see vintage aircraft and many additional exhibits and displays. There will also be door prizes for teachers.

Participating companies and organizations at the Expo include: DFW International Airport, Federal Aviation Administration, Tech Women’s Organization, Professional Women Controllers, U.S. Air Force, Texas National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, Tarrant County College Northwest Campus, 99s and Women in Aviation, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Mountain View College, Texas Department of Transportation – Aviation Department, Vintage Flying Museum, Aviator Air Centers, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Customs & Boarder Patrol, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Lockheed-Martin, University of Texas at Arlington, General Motors, Union Pacific Railroad, URS Corporation, Metro Empowerment, Skymavs, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Air BP, and Aerovets, Joint Counter Drug Taskforce.