4 days ago
Aerium's Breaking Barriers panel explores aviation hurdles, talks solutions
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Panelists at the Aerium Summit's Breaking Barriers and Building Futures event Thursday held candid conversations about the hurdles many women, people of color and students face when entering or exploring the aviation field.
The event, held in the lower hangar at Nulton Aviation Services, featured topics such as expanding aviation education and workforce programs to underserved rural and urban communities and creating pathways for students of color and women.
'I continue to do what I do – I show up so young girls of color can see me,' panelist La'Quata Sumter said. 'I stand in that place to tell that young girl that she can do it.'
Sumter is a professor of computer and electrical engineering and the CEO and founder of Focusing On Me Inc. and STEAM Thru Drones. Being on stage and conversing with fellow women in the industry was a rewarding experience for her, she said.
'It was definitely an amazing opportunity to be on a panel with women who have some common goals,' Sumter said.
She was joined by Roxanne Ober, director of admissions and outreach for the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics; Elizabeth Tennyson, senior vice president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Foundation; and Talia Chippie, a Nulton Aviation Flight Academy student.
Heather Tomasko, Aerium Women in Aviation Committee chair and John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport assistant manager, and Aviation Foundation of Pennsylvania President Sydney Harris served as moderators.
They spoke about a variety of hurdles to education and technology that keep young, interested people from entering the aviation field; changing training techniques that once aimed for high drop-out rates; mentorship; and financial assistance.
Tennyson said that even now, there's 'still some bias out there' for women and people of color in aviation, such as the idea of 'appropriate roles' for boys and girls.
Aviation is a male-dominated field, Tennyson said, and Sumter said people of color and women obviously have a harder time entering these careers. But the entire panel encouraged everyone to pursue their passions for flight, aircraft maintenance or any related field.
'You are where you're supposed to be, and don't let anyone tell you you shouldn't be there,' Sumter said.
Tennyson agreed, adding that one good aspect is that a lot of the barriers are being broken down. She said there is a significant number of financial aid opportunities for students to explore on the local, state and national level to leverage access to aviation careers.
There are also expanding opportunities through career and technical education and some airlines offering tuition matches to help open doors.
Ober touched on the success of student visits to hangars, and shared the example of Piedmont Airlines' aircraft maintenance technician tuition payment program that helps students enter, train and gain employment in the industry.
Other topics the group covered included public and private partnerships, community outreach and diversity.
Tennyson said many employers have found that diversity on the flight deck can be a great benefit to an organization. Women and people of color can provide varied opinions and share their experiences, which strengthens the overall team, she said.
'Everything is moving in the right direction, and that's fantastic,' Tennyson said.
The Breaking Barriers panel was the last of the two-day Aerium Summit.
The conversation was immediately followed by the closing event that featured Nulton Aviation President Larry Nulton, state Department of Education Bureau of Career and Technical Education Director Judd Pittman, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Luke Bernstein, and state Reps. Jim Rigby and Judy Ward.
Additional sessions Thursday ranged from innovations in aviation maintenance to bridging the gap between education and aviation.
It was also announced that the 45th Annual Pennsylvania Aviation Conference will take place Oct. 6 through Oct. 8 in Johnstown. The gathering will be hosted by the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania in collaboration with Aerium and feature panels, student tours, and opportunities for exhibits.
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