Expert: David A. NewMyer - 9/4/2005

Question
Mr. NewMyer,
I am an aviation flight management student at Lewis University in Romeoville, Il. Although I am a fourth year student, it is only my first year in the flight major.  I was wondering if you would inform me of any resources I can use to find an internship for summer 2006.  I would really like to find something in the area of corporate aviation.   
Thank you very much.
Sara

Answer
Hi, Sara:

Thank you for your question.  I will try to assist!

First of all, internships in corporate aviation are hard to find.  However, in general, the larger flight departments (those with multiple aircraft) are most likely to accept interns.  Therefore, in the Chicago area, you are looking at companies like Motorola, BP/Amoco, and the like.  Also, you might look at some of the larger "fractional ownership" companies like Netjets in Columbus, Ohio.  I know that they have accepted interns in the past.

The contact information for corporate flight departments is also hard to find.  In general, the best source is the National Business Aviation Association Membership Directory.  At our university (I work for Southern Illinois University Carbondale), the department of aviation management and flight has joined the NBAA and gets their annual member updates.  I am assuming someone at Lewis is a member and can get you the same informaiton.

Finally, a really good internship in corporate aviation is directly with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) in Washington, DC.  The contact, I believe, is Jay Evans, Director of Operations, jevans@nbaa.org  or by calling 202-783-9353  The hire an intern each semester as far as I know and they do pay the interns.  I also believe that the National Air Transportation Association has an intern program.  They are the lobby group for air charter companies, FBOs and the like.  That is still part of general aviation and might be of interest.  I think that they post their internships on their websites at www.nata.aero

I hope that this information is of assistance to you.

Sincerely,

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