St. Clair Airport hosts Aviation Career Day
Story by Scottie Vickery
Photos by Graham Hadley
When it comes to careers in aviation, the sky’s the limit.
That’s why the St. Clair County Airport is hosting its 5th Annual Aviation Career Day and Open House, set for Oct. 7 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The goal of the free event is to showcase some of the many opportunities in the flight industry and to introduce youth and adults to exciting career paths they may never have considered. It also highlights the impact that airports make in the state and local communities.
“We had over 3,000 attend last year,” said Wendy Watson, airport manager, who along with Ike Newton, organizes the event. “It’s a great way to promote aviation in our community and to try to get more kids involved in aviation.”
According to a 2020 Economic Impact Study conducted by the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Bureau, the aviation industry accounts for more than 44,000 jobs in the state with an average yearly salary of $65,000. Statewide, airports generate more than $267 million in tax revenue.
The St. Clair County Airport has a $9 million financial impact on the region, according to the study, and the Federal Aviation Administration has designated it a “reliever” airport for Birmingham. It also has hangars available for rent, a flight training school, aviation maintenance facilities and an avionics shop.
“We can be proud of our airport system in Alabama and the daily contributions (airports) make to improve the quality of our lives and grow our economy,” Governor Kay Ivey said following the report’s release. “Aviation is a thriving industry in our state and an important part of our economic health.”
The Career Day fun begins with a free pancake breakfast, complete with pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee, which will be served from 7 :30 to 9 a.m. A free hotdog lunch with chips, soft drinks and water will be available from noon to 1 p.m.
Aerial demonstrations will be held during the lunch hour, and a variety of aircraft – from antique planes and military helicopters to private jets and kit planes – will be displayed. Helicopter rides will also be available for $75 per person.
In addition to pilots, there are many aviation careers in the commercial, military and corporate sectors, including air traffic controllers, avionic engineers, mechanics and more. Seminars throughout the day will explore some of those options. In addition, representatives from flight schools and universities will be on hand to answer questions.
The St. Clair County Airport is located at 240 Airport Road in Pell City. For more information about the event, contact Wendy Watson at wendy@plrairport.com.
Check out our coverage of last year’s event in Discover St. Clair Magazine here.
