Expert: David A. NewMyer - 11/28/2010

Question
Im currently living in Australia, and im doing absolutly everything in my power to find an oppertunity in the Avaition Industry. my goal is to undertake a course to gain a certificate IV in Aeroskills, or equillivent. after gaining a thourogh understanding of aviation engineering., i want to move onto aviation busniss management. i want to be the absolute best, any help or advice would be amazingly helpful. i would appreciate it if you could help me in this matter. i am a US citizen, and may consider moving back to amaerica to achieve this dream. thank you for your time and effort going into your reply.  

Answer
Hi, Kaleb:

It is nice to hear from you---thanks for the question via AllExperts.com

As for opportunities in the aviation industry, let me focus my comments on the USA since I do not know much about Australia (except that the airlines there are VERY competitive with one another since the deregulation of the airline industry--I know Qantas is fighting hard and is doing well so far!).  In any case, in the USA, there are about 2.0 million jobs in the aviation industry, divided among four key segments of the industry:

1.  Aviation/Aerospace Manufacturing:   600,000 employees
This segment would include the main manufacturers such as Boeing, Lockheed-Martin as well as component manufacturers such as Eaton and Rockwell-Collins.

2.  Airlines:    600,000 employees
This segment would include major (United, Southwest, Delta, etc), National, Regional and All-Cargo Airlines (FEDEX, UPS, etc)

3.  General Aviation:  600,000 employees
This segment would include Fixed Base Operators, Corporate Flight Departments, Agricultural Operators, Flight Instruction companies and MROS.

4.  Government Aviation Agencies:  200,000
This segment would include federal agencies such as the FAA and TSA as well as state aviation agencies in all 50 states and local agencies that owne and operate airports across the USA.

The above are all approximate numbers (+ or - 10,000)

I have listed the above numbers for you just to illustrate what the possible areas are to work within the aviation industry in the USA are.....the question for you is:  What do YOU like and what do YOU want to do within aviation???

So,if you are talking about Aeroskills like working on aircraft from a maintenance perspective, there are about 350,000 people among the above segments of aviation in the USA who do just that.  Here in the USA, you have to obtain the Airframe and Power Plant Mechanics Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration in order to do such work.  This is normally a two year timeframe to obtain this certificate....perhaps something similar to Aeroskills in Australia...???  I am not sure of that.  But, if you do get certified in Australia, you will have to convert that license or certificate to the FAA equivalent once you get to the USA.   As for aviation business management, yes that is a good thing to have IN ADDITION to some technical skills in aviation.  In other words, GET BOTH the technical and the business skills since the combination is an excellent thing to have in this business.  

I hope that I have answered your questions.  If you have more, just ask another question via AllExperts.com

My very best wishes to you,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siuc.edu