Fairfield County Airport encourages youth to explore careers in aviation

WINNSBORO – The Fairfield County Airport is taking active steps to kindle the interest of local youth in aviation. In an event planned for Monday, April 22nd, three high school seniors will be given the unique opportunity of discovery flights. This initiative is a part of the South Carolina Aviation Week celebrations organized by the South Carolina Aviation Association and the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission. The aim is to uplift the aviation industry by inspiring the upcoming workforce while contributing towards the state’s economic development.

A Solution for the Current Pilot Shortage

In the face of the ongoing pilot shortage, Fairfield County Airport Director Denise Bryan C.M. believes this initiative could be a key solution. “The solution to the pilot shortage is a robust pipeline for aviation workforce development. Now more than ever it’s important to continue to show students in our county the value of a career in aviation,” stated Bryan.

As the Fairfield County Airport’s director, Bryan expresses her concern about the sector’s current situation and emphasizes the importance of educating youth for the future of aviation. She believes that by directing high school students towards career paths in aviation, the Aviation Week event will strengthen both the industry and South Carolina’s economy as a whole.

Fostering Local Talent in Aviation

For the sixth year in a row, local high school students were invited to partake in the discovery flights, which enable participants to experience flight from the pilot’s seat in tandem with a certified flight instructor. Furthermore, the event aims to provide students with the opportunity to explore the many educational institutions and flight schools within South Carolina which are equipped to train the next generation of pilots, maintenance engineers, and skilled aircraft assemblers.

Simaltaneously, S&S Aviation, the airport’s fixed-based operator, is contributing towards this noble enterprise by donating the aircraft, fuel, and flight instructors’ time necessary for the discovery flight operations. Owned by Brian Steed, S&S Aviation has been a supporter and participant of this programme for the past five years.

Aviation Week: A Statewide Celebration of the Aviation Industry

South Carolina Aviation Week is an established and statewide appreciation for the economic and educational contributions of airports and the aviation industry. This annual celebration, held from April 21st to 27th, is devoted to creating greater awareness and encouraging aviation and airport developments in order to meet the state’s air transportation requirements and assist in realizing economic development objectives.

Organized through the united efforts of the South Carolina Aviation Association (SCAA) and South Carolina Aeronautics Commission, the SCAA is known to comprise of various airports, aviators, and industry partners of South Carolina. Through these efforts, the SCAA aims to ignite the interest of the younger generation, ensuring a bright future for the state’s aviation industry.