Southern California Aviation Association

2100 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 109 4 Carlsbad, CA 92011 4 www.socalaviaiton.org

PRESS RELEASE
February 25, 2013
For Immediate Release


Aviation On the Look Out For A Future Workforce

While the national economy continues to slowly recover, business aviation is flying high with
opportunities for a future workforce. There are big prospects ahead but they also present
challenges. There is a huge need to train the unemployed or underemployed, along with the next
generation, so that they might take advantage of the jobs of the future.

A two-day event, sponsored both by the National Business Association (NBAA) and the Southern
California Aviation Association (SCAA), is being held on Wednesday, February 27 and Thursday,
February 28, that will help support careers in aviation.

Mayor Bob Foster is slated to give the welcome remarks at the NBAA Regional Forum and
Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske will welcome participants at the Career Day event.

President of Aeroplex/Aerolease Group, Curt Castagna, came up through the ranks washing
airplanes and pumping fuel in 1978 to become CEO of one of the top private jet terminals in Long
Beach today. I enjoy helping people like me learn about traditional and nontraditional jobs in
aviation. There are opportunities in aircraft sales, administration, leasing, FBO management,
hospitality, as well as more traditional roles for pilots and flight attendants, said Castagna.

Long Beach Airport supports 18,000 jobs in the region. Not only does aviation provide careers,
but they are careers that people enjoy. The panel of folks speaking all share a passion for this
industry and if you attend, youll see why, said the director of Long Beach Airport, Mario
Rodriguez.

It all starts Wednesday, March 27 at 5 pm with Career Day featuring a panel of speakers from the
NBAA and SCAA. Ten aviation professionals will give an insight into a variety of careers working
in and around private business jets and how to pursue a career in aviation.

Those who attend the Career Day will also get free admittance to the daylong forum on Thursday,
March 28. The peer-networking venue is designed to meet the needs of regional business aviation
communities.

Those interested will be introduced to different people and different modes of aviation. It will help
young people find direction and validate their interest in careers in travel, said John Tary,
General Manager at AirFlite, a business aviation industry award winner for the past 20 years.

The entire event will be held at AirFlite at Long Beach Airport, 3250 Airflite Way, Long Beach, CA
90807. Please register online at http://scaamemberlodge.com/events to attend.


Southern California Aviation Association
2100 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 109 4 Carlsbad, CA 92011 4 www.socalaviaiton.org
About Long Beach Airport
Long Beach Airport (LGB), located in Long Beach, CA, was founded in 1923, making it the oldest
municipally owned airport in California. Throughout its 90-year history, LGB has been a source of
substantial economic activity and business opportunities, as well as a leader in maintaining a sustainable,
environmentally responsible operation. LGB hosts four airlines offering non-stop service to 13 U.S. cities
and serving over 3 million commercial airline passengers annually while supporting a healthy general
aviation community with more than 300,000 annual operations. For more information please visit
www.lgb.org.

Southern CaIifornia Aviation Association's (SCAA) Mission
Our mission is to advance and promote aviation related business throughout Southern California; to be
proactive in addressing concerns impacting the region's airports, including safety and operations; and
promote education on the importance of business aviation to our communities, companies, and the
general public. For more information please visit www.socalaviation.org, or contact Debi Carpenter at
debic@socalaviation.org


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