Aviation Career Day
Richland Community Development Group, Critical Ops, LLC., and Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport welcome Richland County 11th and 12th grade students to Aviation Career Day. Students are invited to explore a wide range of aviation-related careers from flying planes or drones, to avionics, FAA flight control, wildlife management, plus many more!
Win a FREE discovery flight by completing a short survey.
Participating Vendors
Avit Flight Academy
Avit Flight Academy is an award winning flight school that has offered personalized, one on one pilot training since 2016. Students can start with an introductory Discovery Flight and work at their own pace toward professional certificates and ratings, building the skills and flight hours needed to launch a career as a pilot.
Critical Ops
Critical Ops is a veteran owned consulting firm based in Richland County that specializes in critical infrastructure protection, emerging technologies, and workforce development. Their work spans unmanned systems, remote sensing, and fraud prevention, connecting public, private, and academic partners to solve real world security and technology challenges.
Ewing Aerospace
Ewing Aerospace designs and manufactures American made components and complete systems for unmanned aircraft, or drones. Their high performance, defense compliant technology supports government, military, and commercial customers, giving students a look at careers in drone engineering and advanced manufacturing right here in the region.
FAA Air Traffic Control (KMFD)
Air traffic controllers monitor and direct aircraft safely through the skies and along runways at airports like KMFD. They give pilots takeoff, landing, and routing instructions, track weather conditions, and keep enough distance between planes to keep every flight running safely and on time.
The Gorman-Rupp Company
The Gorman-Rupp Company, headquartered in Mansfield, is a leading manufacturer of pumps used around the world in water, wastewater, construction, and industrial applications. Gorman-Rupp also operates a longstanding flight department, giving students a look at how aviation supports a manufacturing company’s daily operations.
Heroux-Devtek (HDI Landing Gear)
Heroux-Devtek is one of the world’s largest producers of aircraft landing gear, with two Ohio plants in Cleveland and Dayton. Their teams machine, process, and assemble landing gear for major commercial planes like the Boeing 777 and military aircraft including the F-35 and C-17, offering careers in engineering and manufacturing.
Immobileyes
Immobileyes is an Ohio based research and development company that creates light based, non-lethal technology for protection and security. Their devices give police and the U.S. Air Force safer ways to defuse dangerous situations without causing permanent harm, blending optics, engineering, and public safety in one field.
Modern Avionics & Maintenance Inc
Modern Avionics & Maintenance provides cutting edge avionics upgrades for aircraft, including audio panels, navigation and communication systems, GPS units, autopilots, and flight displays. They also perform maintenance and detailing on piston, turboprop, and light turbine aircraft, combining hands-on mechanical work with modern aviation technology.
Niss Aviation
Niss Aviation FBO is a fixed base operator at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport that provides ground handling services for private and commercial aircraft, from fueling to parking. Their team keeps planes moving safely on the ground, a behind the scenes role that keeps every airport running smoothly.
Ohio Drone Repair
Ohio Drone Repair, based in Akron, sells and repairs DJI and FPV drone parts and builds custom drones for hobbyists and businesses alike. Family owned and operated since 2014, they offer a hands-on look at the growing drone industry, from repair work to remote piloting and custom builds.
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA)
PIA is an aviation trade school, established in 1929, that trains students to become aircraft maintenance technicians. Their 16 to 20 month Aviation Maintenance Technology program prepares students to earn their FAA Airframe and Powerplant license, a credential that qualifies graduates to work on nearly any aircraft.
Youngstown 910th Airlift Wing
The 910th Airlift Wing is a U.S. Air Force Reserve unit based at Youngstown Air Reserve Station. Reservists fly and maintain aircraft while supporting the active duty Air Force on missions around the world, offering hands-on careers in aviation maintenance, aircrew operations, and other technical fields.