ISU aviation students get up-close, personal look at industry

By Sue Loughlin
The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE September 25, 2007 10:51 pm

— It’s a “sweet time” in the aviation industry, with plentiful job opportunities now and probably for the next 10 years, a representative of Atlantic Southeast Airlines told Indiana State University aviation students Tuesday.
“It’s going to be a really nice industry for you guys to pick and choose where you might want to participate,” whether it’s the Federal Aviation Administration, air traffic control, airlines or corporate, said Capt. Darrin Greubel, manager of flight standards for Atlantic Southeast Airlines. “Hiring trends have really picked up.”
As part of a “campus” visit, representatives of the regional airline flew the jet to Terre Haute International Airport-Hulman Field to give ISU aviation students a close look at their aircraft and company, which is based out of Atlanta.
ASA has a letter of agreement with ISU in which the airline agrees to consider for interview graduates of the aviation program who meet certain criteria.
On Tuesday, more than 50 ISU aviation students were able to talk to the crew, sit in the cockpit of the 50-passenger jet and find out more about careers with the airline, which flies to 141 destinations and has 159 aircraft.
As he stood inside the jet, Greubel fielded questions from students, who sat in passenger seats. He told them about pay levels, job opportunities and his own background; he graduated from ISU in 1991.
When he first sought employment as a pilot, jobs weren’t as plentiful and he ended up going to Maine where he gave charter flights and tours and provided flying lessons. He began working for ASA in 1994.
ASA is flying the jet to ISU and other universities over a two-day period.
The students are used to flying much smaller planes, and by taking the larger aircraft, it gives them a chance to see some of the advanced technology they may someday be using, Greubel said.
When students enter the cockpit, “Their eyes will light up and they’re like, ‘wow, that’s really neat,’ ” Greubel said. “It motivates them.”
Among those checking out the airplane was Jonathan Boes, an ISU sophomore. As he sat in the jet’s cockpit, he told an ASA pilot, “I wouldn’t mind seeing this every day.”
Boes, who hopes to be an airline pilot and possibly fly for UPS one day, says he’ll probably start his career at a regional airline such as ASA.
He was impressed with the airplane. “It’s kind of overwhelming in a way to go from the small planes we fly to seeing all the new instruments and stuff we’re not used to. It’s very, very neat,” said Boes, a Shelburn native.
Amy Schreel, an ISU senior, is living in Atlanta and doing a 15-week internship with ASA. She is working with pilot recruiting and flight standards.
“It’s a really good experience,” said Schreel, who hopes eventually to become an ASA pilot.
ISU sophomore Brandon Charles said he was able to learn a lot by talking with ASA pilots.
“It’s really good insight and as far as networking goes, it’s awesome,” he said. “You get to meet the pilots and you get a foot in the door.”
The agreement between ISU and ASA is a fantastic opportunity for students and opens the doors to possible employment after graduation, said Vern Bothwell, an ISU aviation technology instructor.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.