The Reading Regional Airport held a press conference Thursday afternoon, led by Airport Director Zachary Tempesco, to promote the upcoming Reading Aviation Career Expo and reflect on the airport’s recent growth and future impact on the local community. The Career Expo, scheduled for October 19, 2024, is expected to draw hundreds of students, aviation enthusiasts, and community members for a day filled with educational opportunities, aircraft displays, and hands-on activities.
At the event, Tempesco proudly announced that this year’s expo, building on the success of 2023’s event, would feature over 30 exhibitors, numerous static aircraft displays, live demonstrations, and seminars aimed at students from middle school to post-secondary education, all focused on careers in aviation. Last year’s expo attracted more than 1,500 participants, and this year’s event is expected to be even larger.
“We want to encourage students from all educational levels to attend,” said Tempesco, emphasizing the growing demand for aviation professionals. “There is currently a shortage of pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, and ground crew in the industry. This event is an opportunity for young people to explore these career paths and see what aviation has to offer.”
Tempesco also highlighted that the airport has recently taken significant steps to support the community and improve its economic impact. The Reading Regional Airport Authority purchased the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) earlier this year, consolidating operations to enhance services for business owners and potential employers in Berks County. “Anything we can do to increase economic impact here directly benefits the community,” Tempesco added.
Major sponsors for the 2024 expo include Weststar Aviation, Quest Diagnostics, Affuel, and Trans Systems, along with Reading Aviation and the Reading Aero Club, which is hosting the event.
In addition to exhibits and aircraft displays, the expo will feature a live aircraft rescue and firefighting demonstration, as well as flight simulators and remote-controlled aircraft demos. Tempesco announced that the popular aviation seminars would return this year, but in a new format to make them more accessible to visitors. “Last year, people couldn’t always stay for the full seminars,” he explained. “So this year, we’ll have shorter, mini-seminars focusing on key topics like how to become a pilot, aviation technician, or air traffic controller, and even how to operate commercial drones.”
Interns Get a Hands-On Experience
The press conference also shined a light on the airport’s current high school internship program, featuring students from local schools. The three interns—Carson Brown (Hamburg Area High School), Armaan Malik (Conrad Weiser High School), and Luke Boland (Wilson High School)—have spent the past year learning about the aviation industry while working with Reading Aviation. Each has a different career interest, with Brown focused on military aviation, Malik aiming to become a commercial pilot, and Boland pursuing aerospace engineering.
All three interns spoke highly of their experience at the airport, citing lessons in line service, customer service, and the day-to-day operations of an FBO. Following the press conference, they were given the unique opportunity to interact with local pilots, learn the basics of pre-flight checks, and even take a brief flight around Reading.
Looking Ahead to the Expo
With free admission and activities for all ages, the Reading Aviation Career Expo is expected to be one of the largest aviation-focused career events on the East Coast. From educational institutions like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the Pennsylvania College of Technology to major airlines and flight schools, the expo will offer visitors a chance to connect directly with professionals and learn more about the wide array of careers in aviation.
“The aviation career field is diverse and growing, and this expo provides a great opportunity for students and families to explore those options,” Tempesco concluded, extending an open invitation to the public.
For more information or to register for the event, visit aviationcareerexpo.org or readingairport.org.
Event Details:
• Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
• Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Location: Reading Regional Airport Terminal
• Admission: Free and open to the public
