More than 750 students were introduced to sky-high possibilities in the aviation industry during Van Nuys Airport’s LAUSD Career Day on Wednesday, Nov. 1. They had a chance to get close to famed aircraft like a vintage WWII AT-6 and a NASA Beechcraft T-34, and met Condor Squadron member Michael Dorn who told students lots of details about the aircraft.
Condor Squadron member Michael Dorn talks to students next to a WWII vintage AT-6 airplane during the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Aviation Career Day at the Van Nuys Airport in Van Nuys, CA. Wednesday, Nov 1, 2023.(Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Grant High School students Andrew Bookout, 16-years old, and Roman Xavier Rubio, 16-years old, look at a NASA Beechcraft T-34 airplane during the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Aviation Career Day at the Van Nuys Airport in Van Nuys, CA. Wednesday, Nov 1, 2023.(Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Students take a photo in a Helinet Aviation helicopter during the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Aviation Career Day at the Van Nuys Airport in Van Nuys, CA. Wednesday, Nov 1, 2023.(Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Students look at aircraft during the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Aviation Career Day at the Van Nuys Airport in Van Nuys, CA. Wednesday, Nov 1, 2023.(Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Condor Squadron member Michael Dorn talks to students next to a WWII vintage AT-6 airplane during the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Aviation Career Day at the Van Nuys Airport in Van Nuys, CA. Wednesday, Nov 1, 2023.(Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Students look at aircraft during the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Aviation Career Day at the Van Nuys Airport in Van Nuys, CA. Wednesday, Nov 1, 2023.(Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The day was put on in partnership with the Valley Economic Alliance and included a bus tour around the airport to view notable aircraft such as the firefighting Super Scoopers and a Helicopters Inc. news-gathering helicopter.
Students also had a chance to talk to a range of aviation experts.
The program’s goal is to get students in the Los Angeles Unified School District excited about the rich aviation industry in the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles. In time, the hope is that students will obtain high-paying aviation jobs and help bolster diversity in the industry.
