If I think of one word that sums up my outlook for 2021 and applies to me, you, our industry, students, and the mission of the North Dakota Aviation Association (NDAA), that word is opportunity.

op·​por·​tu·​ni·​ty | \ ä-pər-tü-nə-tē, -tyü- \

plural opportunities

Definition of opportunity

1: a favorable juncture of circumstances

    Ex: The halt provided an opportunity for rest and refreshment

2: a good chance for advancement or progress

 

So much of our lives over this past year has moved to an online environment. The opportunity that has evolved from many of us being forced into online meetings in business or school is that we found new ways to get things done. Personally, I like the second definition from above; a good chance for advancement or progress. 

Let's get into our opportunities.

The Fly-ND Conference this year has moved to an online conference in March. What we give up this year in meeting in person brings a new OPPORTUNITY to reach out to a larger audience, who may not have attended our conference in the past. The move to online also created another OPPORTUNITY of hosting an in-person event later this summer to bring us together in a fun and engaging event. We hope to announce the new event this spring. 

The Fly-ND Career Expo has been rescheduled to May 14 at the Fargo Air Museum. We are really excited for what this event will bring to students looking to pursue a career in aviation.  The delay to this spring brings an OPPORTUNITY of all of us to help spread the word to students and to help in our fundraising efforts to fund scholarships for students. Connect on our website if you would like to get involved with the Career Expo.

As we get into this summer, the Fargo Airsho is back and scheduled for July 24-25. The event will feature the U.S. Navy Blue Angels as they celebrate their 75th anniversary this year. The show will be extra special with Blue Angels Commander and Fargo, ND native Commander Brian Kesselring leading the team in their newly upgraded fleet of F/A-18 Super Hornets. The week leading up to the show will be filled with opportunities to celebrate the history of the Blue Angels. New at the Airsho this year will be an education focused STEM EXPO. Contact the Fargo Airsho or Fargo Air Museum if you would like to get involved.

 Lastly, the Federal Aviation Administration has officially released the Notice of Funding OPPORTUNITY for the Aviation Workforce Development Grant. We are working on grant applications for both the pilot and mechanic side of the grant. If awarded, the grants would fund numerous opportunities from supporting more schools across the region with new aviation programs, equipment, and curriculum to professional development for educators, new student outreach programs, and scholarships for students to just name a few.  

 With all of the OPPORTUNITY ahead of us, we would love for you to join the NDAA and look for an area to plug in and get involved in our mission, to promote and support growth in aviation.

 Looking forward to an exciting year ahead!

Darren