AVIATION INSTITUTE AVIATION INSTITUTE SPRING NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2021
247 172 PROFESSIONAL FLIGHT STUDENTS
46 AIR TRANSPORT ADMIN STUDENTS
18 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT STUDENTS
TOTAL AVIATION INSTITUTE STUDENTS
15% 31% FEMALE STUDENTS
MINORITY STUDENTS
FROM THE DIRECTOR SCOTT TARRY
Director
Much work remains. Last fall we all looked ahead to 2021 with hope and optimism. We were tired of masks, social distancing, and other COVID-related restrictions that limited our ability to work and live in the way we are accustomed. As we know now, 2021 hasn’t provided much relief yet, but there are signs of progress. More and more people are getting vaccinated, the economy is starting to recover, and perhaps more importantly, more people are traveling by air. Our industry lost a lot of altitude since last March, but our nation’s airline and airports, and aviation in general, are now on a clear path to
recovery. Our alumni, especially those who graduated and began their careers recently, continue to suffer the brunt of the downturn in air travel. Our current students are still weathering the shift to remote instruction and other changes in the life of the Institute and our campus. But there is more than hope now, there is confidence and excitement thanks to all our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners who stayed the course over the past year. I hope everyone will join us as we eagerly return our full attention to preparing the next generation of aviation professionals.
Kylie Robinson is Our New Student Services Specialist
NEW FACE IN THE AI STAFF Kylie Robinson is the Aviation Institute’s newest Student Services Specialist. She joined the AI in January 2021 and is focused on supporting the department’s recruitment and retention efforts. Robinson received both of her degrees from UNO, with a B.S. in Journalism & Media Communication and an M.A. in Communication. Robinson has worked in many different avenues of the UNO system. Her first on-campus job was as a First-Year Peer Mentor in the Thompson Learning Comunity. It was there that she learned about all of the services that our campus has to offer its students. She looks forward to sharing all that she learned with the AI students. Additionally, she worked as a Graduate Assistant in the Communication department, teaching Introduction to Mass Communication. Robinson will also be serving as an adjunct this summer, teaching Writing in Aviation. If you want to get to know Kylie or have any questions, feel free to reach out via email at kholman@unomaha.edu.
COLLEGIATE TRAINING INITIATIVE FAA Recognizes Aviation Institute’s UAS Program With the rise in the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) industry, there is a need to meet the demand for qualified professionals. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decided to meet this need by creating a Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) focused on UAS. This initiative launched in April 2020 and has grown to include 67 higher education UAS programs across the country. The FAA started the original CTI program over 25 years ago, allowing educational institutions to work with the FAA in order to educate the next generation of aviators. The UAS CTI is a new program with the mission “to collaborate with selected schools to deliver up-to-date UAS training tools, resources, and guidelines that will prepare students for careers in UAS and continue to maintain the safety of the National Airspace System.”
The Aviation Institute is thrilled to be working with the FAA in meeting the needs of the UAS industry. “The FAA provides resources and overall direction and guidance that connect the Institute with the industry and jobs,” Victor Huang, Associate Professor, said. This support is an invaluable asset to our students as it ensures they are prepared for this rapidly growing sector of aviation.
Dr. Rebecca Lutte Fights Against Barriers to Women
UNO LEADERS IN AVIATION Alpha Eta Rho has UNO in Three Key Leadership Roles Having a UNO student or alum in a leadership position in Alpha Eta Rho is always an honor. Having three? Well that’s just unheard of. Scott Nugent, a graduating senior, is currently serving as National Student President. Scott Vlasek, AI Senior Lecturer, is serving as National President. And Julia Jones, AI alumna, is serving as Executive Director.
Appointed to Women in Aviation Advisory Board Dr. Rebecca Lutte was appointed to the FAA Women in Aviation Advisory Board in October 2019. Its mission is to provide recommendations on “opportunities to encourage female students and aviators to pursue a career in aviation.” Over 200 women were vetted, with 30 being chosen for the WIABB. Dr. Lutte was also named the chair of the subcommittee “Understanding the Problem/ Identify Industry Trends.” The WIAAB will create a report that will go to the FAA and Congress to influence meaningful change. The number of women in aviation has not moved much in the last 30 years. Issues such as lack of paid parental leave and internalized biases are just some of the barriers women in aviation face. “The women that I’ve been able to work with and learn from are amazing,” Dr. Lutte said. “But they still face barriers, even though some are literally COOs.”
“It is truly an honor to be the Executive Director of Alpha Eta Rho,” Jones said. “Being able to reconnect with UNO faculty and work with the students has been a blessing.”
Scott Nugent National Student President Alpha Eta Rho International
Scott Vlasek National President Alpha Eta Rho International
Julia Jones Executive Director Alpha Eta Rho International
Alpha Eta Rho was founded in 1929 as a professional collegiate fraternity “founded to bring together those students having a common interest in the field of commercial aviation.” “It is a very unique situation to have the National President, National Student President, and Executive Director all from one program,” Vlasek said. “Add in the fact that it was during COVID, it brought in some challenges but we were able to provide our membership with a good program. I think a lot of the engagement we got was from Scott Nugent’s dedication to being the National Student President. He went above and beyond getting things together for our members.” Nugent was elected as National Student President in 2020 and certainly had a unique year. Most of the events were either cancelled or moved virtually. But Nugent was determined to keep in touch with the students and stay connected. He delivered a monthly Presidential Address online and created social media posts for the different regions. He also made sure to end every address with an inspirational quote. Having UNO so well represented was certainly not planned. “It was one of those pleasant surprises,” Nugent said. “It’s nice to see UNO represented in that way.” Before coming to UNO, Nugent did not know about the Aviation Institute. Now, being a part of it, he sees the AI as a “powerhouse.”
Faculty
Dr. Scott Tarry, Director Skip Bailey Dr. Chenyu “Victor” Huang Theodore Johnson Dr. Becky Lutte Eric Taylor Scott Vlasek
Staff
Sara Martin Amy Kelley Kylie Robinson
Simulator Instructors Jason Hartwig Will Powers Joel Young
Instructors
Todd Bonkiewicz Elizabeth D’Allura Mikasha Dye Matthew Eggers Troy Hansen Terry Kenefick Joe Kirby Michael Lempke Mark Lesher Michaela Lucas Kelly McManus Jenny Rancourt Joe Rotterdam Patrick Ryan Mark Sheldon James Slabaugh Jacob Tewes
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