Aviation Organizations

For my career path, it will definitely be important to join Aviation Organizations and Associations. I am not currently in any specific association, but I plan on doing it soon - when I have time and some money to invest in them and go to their meetings. One organization that I will definitely look into joining is the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). I have a couple friends who are currently in this association and they have told me how great their networking resources are, especially in administrative careers. I could really benefit from this one, but I need to be able to afford it first. Another association I am considering joining is the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Despite the fact that I am not a pilot, and certainly do not expect to own an aircraft anytime soon, I think joining the AOPA  would be very beneficial in the professional sense. Being that AOPA is the largest general aviation organization out there, I could easily network through it.

-The Mission of the NBAA is "To foster an environment that allows business aviation to thrive in the United States and around the world." More than 10,000 companies are represented by this organization. They provide more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community. This association has been around since 1947, which makes it very "experienced" compared to many other professional aviation organizations.

-The Mission of the AOPA is "We protect your freedom to fly by...advocating on behalf of our members, supporing activities that ensure the long-term health of General Aviation..." among many more. They generally want to protect the rights of pilots and other aviation professionals, especially when it comes to General Aviation. Just the fact that the AOPA has been around for so long shows their success and general 'know how' of the industry - which makes them a great organization to be a part of.

The greatest benefit, that I can see, from joining these organizations is the networking that can be done. Since these associations have so many members, there are people within the industry whom I really want to network with that are likely involved with at least one of these organizations. Having these on my resume can really help me when it comes to applying to industry jobs, as well. Especially if who I am being interviewed by is involved with one of these organizations, it could at least be a talking point during the interview.

Flying Cheap and Professionalism

After graduate school, I would like to end up working with the Transportation Security Administration. More specifically, I would like to begin working as a Federal Air Marshal. Working in the Federal Aviation world has always been a target for me. I have researched and learned that Federal job benefits tend to have some of the best programs in the country. Job security in the aviation field tends to be sketchy at times, but based on what I have heard from friends in these operations, and just general research, Federal aviation careers are more secure. I am aspiring to be a Federal Air Marshal because my ultimate goal is to travel, and I want to have the security of the TSA at my back. I am taking measures to make my resume, and by extension myself, for an interview as an Air Marshal. I have taken the CPL (Concealed Pistol License) class recently for this purpose. I am a few friends whom are already Air Marshal's - this will, of course, come in handy during the application process.

A Transportation Security Administration's Federal Air Marshal exists to protect passengers and flight crews on international and domestic flights. They identify and apprehend potential treats to the flight and prevent criminal activity. They must blend in with passengers in order to correctly protect the flight. By them being unidentifiable, they can effectively remain unseen while they survey and observe the passengers. The Federal Air Marshal often works alone, and carries a firearm to protect the flying public. By the nature of the job, the Air Marshal travels constantly. Due to the potential risks of the job, the Air Marshal must participate in a physical fitness program.

There are many potential safety and liability concerns that come with being a Federal Air Marshal. Every mission holds a risk of the Air Marshal having to handle an unruly passenger, and there is no telling how that will go. To mitigate the risk of this, I will be sure to follow through with my training to the "T". I will fully exercise caution when dealing with a problem passenger - no matter who they are. Beyond my personal duties, I will have to hold faith that the pilots, whom I will be traveling with, will follow their duties and know how to perform there job very well also.

Professionalism - To perform with the skill, understanding, and ability as expected of someone in that particular profession.

In this documentary, a lack of professionalism was demonstrated when:
-When the landing gear came down, on final approach, both the Captain and First Officer reacted very poorly. Instead of correcting the issue with the speed, the Captain made two quick mistakes, that slowed down the airplane. The First Officer put the flaps up, which put the plane into a stall.
-The management lacked professionalism as they failed to recognize that Captain Renslow only had  618 hours of flying time, and that he failed 5 Check Rides. Colgan failed to discover this, or just did not really care, and hired him. He was not experienced enough, or prepared to fly.

In my career, I plan to maintain and expand my level of professionalism by:
-Making sure to get adequate rest and eat properly, prior to my mission. Reducing fatigue can be the difference of being a good Air Marshal and a great Air Marshal. - as well as, reducing risk to myself and passengers.
-I will be sure to keep up to date with the rules and regulations pertaining to me and the rest of the TSA, myself.