Colorado's Grand Valley to Celebrate National Aviation Day
Local organizations converge to boost awareness of aviation industry; support students interested in STEM-careers.
Grand Junction, CO, July 02, 2016 --(PR.com)-- Yesterday, Armstrong Consultants Inc. announced Grand Junction, Colo., will host a National Aviation Day celebration for 100 middle-school students in Mesa County Valley School District 51 on August 19. The students are part of the MESA program, which provides students with the skills and resources to be successful in future careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines.
“Having been part of the local community for more than 43 years, and specializing in airport engineering and planning for more than 30 years, we see this as a great opportunity to give back to the community, to get our youth excited about aviation, and to being part of planting the seeds for our next generation of leaders in the industry. We have a passion for aviation and want to see it flourish in the Grand Valley,” said Dennis Corsi, president of Armstrong Consultants.
“We are thrilled that Armstrong Consultants took the initiative to bring National Aviation Day to the Grand Valley,” said Kristi Pollard, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, one of the event sponsors. “At GJEP, we actively work to recruit aviation businesses, and its crucial to our success to demonstrate that there is a sustained workforce here and community support for growing the industry.”
Several other regional organizations are participating as sponsors and exhibitors, including: The Grand Junction Regional Airport; Grand Junction Modeleers; Mesa County 4H; Girl Scouts; The 99s, an all-women aviation club; the Experimental Aircraft Association; the Vail Valley Jet Center; and the John McConnell Math and Science Center.
Colorado Mesa University will host the event at the Maverick Innovation Center. Dan Ashton, retired Air Force pilot and director of CMU’s new flight training program, will present to the students at lunch.
“We are honored to be part of the National Aviation Day celebration. Within the field of aviation, a career as a professional pilot is truly unique. It allows you to do what you love to do every day. The Aviation Fixed-Wing program, starting this fall at CMU, can be the first step in one’s journey to become a professional pilot,” said Ashton.
Participating students will be able to move between a series of interactive stations featuring rockets, remote control panels, drafting, and physics- and engineering concepts. Students will receive a National Aviation Day “passport” which will be stamped at each station to show the skills they’ve picked up throughout the day.
The announcement by Armstrong Consultants comes at the heels of Gov. Hickenlooper’s proclamation earlier this month dedicating June as General Aviation Appreciation Month. According to the Colorado Aviation Business Association and the Colorado Division of Aeronautics, aviation is a vital pillar of the state’s economy, contributing $2.4 billion and supporting more than 265,000 jobs with a combined payroll of $12.6 billion.
About National Aviation Day
National Aviation Day was established by President Roosevelt in 1939 as a way to celebrate the development of the aviation industry. It is observed annually by communities throughout the U.S. on the anniversary of Orville Wright’s birthday. This is the first year Grand Junction will host a celebration.
Follow the local and national celebration on social media starting late June, hashtag #USAviationDay.
About Armstrong Consultants Inc.
Armstrong Consultants, Inc. is a professional consulting engineering firm specializing exclusively in airports. Since 1973, Armstrong has brought an unmatched level of expertise, commitment, and perspective to the field of aviation, including airport planning, engineering, and construction administrative services to all types of airports ranging from small rural general aviation strips to business jet executive airports, commercial service airports, and military airfields.
“Having been part of the local community for more than 43 years, and specializing in airport engineering and planning for more than 30 years, we see this as a great opportunity to give back to the community, to get our youth excited about aviation, and to being part of planting the seeds for our next generation of leaders in the industry. We have a passion for aviation and want to see it flourish in the Grand Valley,” said Dennis Corsi, president of Armstrong Consultants.
“We are thrilled that Armstrong Consultants took the initiative to bring National Aviation Day to the Grand Valley,” said Kristi Pollard, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, one of the event sponsors. “At GJEP, we actively work to recruit aviation businesses, and its crucial to our success to demonstrate that there is a sustained workforce here and community support for growing the industry.”
Several other regional organizations are participating as sponsors and exhibitors, including: The Grand Junction Regional Airport; Grand Junction Modeleers; Mesa County 4H; Girl Scouts; The 99s, an all-women aviation club; the Experimental Aircraft Association; the Vail Valley Jet Center; and the John McConnell Math and Science Center.
Colorado Mesa University will host the event at the Maverick Innovation Center. Dan Ashton, retired Air Force pilot and director of CMU’s new flight training program, will present to the students at lunch.
“We are honored to be part of the National Aviation Day celebration. Within the field of aviation, a career as a professional pilot is truly unique. It allows you to do what you love to do every day. The Aviation Fixed-Wing program, starting this fall at CMU, can be the first step in one’s journey to become a professional pilot,” said Ashton.
Participating students will be able to move between a series of interactive stations featuring rockets, remote control panels, drafting, and physics- and engineering concepts. Students will receive a National Aviation Day “passport” which will be stamped at each station to show the skills they’ve picked up throughout the day.
The announcement by Armstrong Consultants comes at the heels of Gov. Hickenlooper’s proclamation earlier this month dedicating June as General Aviation Appreciation Month. According to the Colorado Aviation Business Association and the Colorado Division of Aeronautics, aviation is a vital pillar of the state’s economy, contributing $2.4 billion and supporting more than 265,000 jobs with a combined payroll of $12.6 billion.
About National Aviation Day
National Aviation Day was established by President Roosevelt in 1939 as a way to celebrate the development of the aviation industry. It is observed annually by communities throughout the U.S. on the anniversary of Orville Wright’s birthday. This is the first year Grand Junction will host a celebration.
Follow the local and national celebration on social media starting late June, hashtag #USAviationDay.
About Armstrong Consultants Inc.
Armstrong Consultants, Inc. is a professional consulting engineering firm specializing exclusively in airports. Since 1973, Armstrong has brought an unmatched level of expertise, commitment, and perspective to the field of aviation, including airport planning, engineering, and construction administrative services to all types of airports ranging from small rural general aviation strips to business jet executive airports, commercial service airports, and military airfields.
Contact
Grand Junction Economic Partnership
Cilia Kohn
970-245-4332
gjep.org
Cilia Kohn
970-245-4332
gjep.org
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