Expert: David A. NewMyer - 2/9/2010

Question
i am a young african girl currently doing my last year in high school.i attain quite good grades and i am interested in joining the aviation field. however i know that i do not want to fly,,or at least not now. what other options are available for me? i am quite good in math and physics and i believe i am a good leader. i know for sure i would not want to spend my life as an aircraft engineer neither do i want to spend it in an airport office. is there anything that i can do that merges the two?? something like aviation management and aircraft maintanance?? where can i get the program i want(which universities) and how can i access a full scholarship? my parents would be able to pay the airfare and possibly the pocket money but the tuition is just out of the question. thanking you in advance.

Answer
Hi, Mufaro:

It is nice to hear from you.   Thanks for contacting me.  I will try to assist.

In the USA and, in general around the world, there are four main portions to the civil aviation industry:

Aviation and Aerospace Manufacturing (civil fixed wing and helicopter; military and space)

Airlines

General Aviation (all flying except that done by the military and by scheduled airlines)

Government Aviation (including most airports, which are operated by government agencies)

In the USA and some other parts of the world, general aviation is a strong segment.  But, in some parts of the world, general aviation is not strong.  Aviation manufacturing, likewise, is strong in nations like Brazil, France, U. K., USA, Russia and, to a lesser degree, China, Taiwan and India.  Airlines and government aviation (including airports) are pretty much in every nation, to some degree.

What you have seemed to arrive at in your question to me is asking whether or not aircraft maintenance combined with aviation management would be a good alternative to pursue.  The answer to that would be YES.  First of all, some aircraft maintenance is done in a hangar and some is done outside on or in the aircraft while it is parked on a ramp.  So, you would not necessarily be confined to an office when working on aviation manintenance technician work.  When you are younger, that is good---you can be outside and you can be inside, depending on the nature of the company you are working for.  Also, the aviation maintenance world needs more women---only 5 to 6% of the people certificated to work in this field in the USA are women.  Around the world, I believe it is less.  So, there are very good opportunities for women in the aviation maintenance field.

Aviation management comes into it in terms of where your career in aviation maintenance might go after ten years or so.....less in some places, more in others.  And, that is moving into a supervisory or management role, but, still in aviation maintenance.  Many aviation maintenance schools just train you on the technical maintenance side of things but do not prepare you to be a supervisor.  If you went to a university or college that offers both aviation maintenance AND aviation management, I would recommend that you figure out a way to do BOTH.  Some universities and colleges have such programs already set up for you to take.  If you wish to attend school in the USA, order the publication THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE from the University Aviation Association at www.uaa.aero or call them at 334-844-2434 to order it.  It is about $20.  

Also, the same organization has a really good publication entitled THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP LISTING which lists over $1.2 million in aviation scholarships available each year.  This listing does NOT include financial aid and scholarships that you might be able to get from the institutions to which you apply for admission.  So, as far as getting the money to go to school it is usually a combination of what your family can provide, what the institution that you are attending can provide and whatever other outside financing or scholarships you can arrange.  You might also try to contact the United Nations Development Programme at www.undp.org in that they sometimes have scholarships available to study abroad based on what your home nations needs are.  That also raises the question of your home nation:  Sometimes the national government where you live will have financing available through their civil aeronautics agency.  You might check with them, too.

I wish you the very best in your pursuit of your education plans.  If I can help in any other way, please contact me again.

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale