The temperature is rising and Bike Week is over. This can only mean one thing: spring break is around the corner at Embry-Riddle. Surprisingly, classes are more than halfway over, and time is flying by. While I am looking forward to spring break, these past two weeks have been fun packed.
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to visit my parents while they were vacationing in Palm Beach. I had limited options to get there since I do not have a car and there are no flights between Daytona and West Palm Beach. Instead, I had the opportunity to experience a different form of travel: bus. Early Saturday morning, I took a taxi to the Greyhound station and boarded the bus to Orlando, then connected onto the bus bound for West Palm Beach. Needless to say, Greyhound and its riders are different from an airline’s. While I did not particularly enjoy my experience, they did get me to where I wanted to go – it was a six hour ride.
At West Palm I was picked up by my parents. It was a five minute drive across the inter-coastal to Palm Beach. I spent Saturday night and most of Sunday at the resort with them, then they kindly drove me back to Daytona Beach, where we enjoyed an excellent meal from The Cellar. The drive back took 3 hours.
Florida is a big state. Daytona makes it easy to get to most places in Florida, as it’s located in east central Florida.
Switching gears… classes. About half of my six classes this semester are related to business. While that is a bit of a drag, I’m learning new things and developing interests right and left. Not long ago, my Principles of Aeronautical Science (flying for non-flight students) took a tour of the aviation maintenance building. While I do not plan on being a mechanic for an airline, it was fascinating to watch students take apart airframes and engines (powerplants), then reassemble them and test them. For anyone interested in airline management, specifically for those interested in running an airline someday, it’s important to have some understanding of each aspect of an airline, including aviation maintenance.
At Embry-Riddle, students are given the opportunity to learn about other fields within the aviation industry, regardless of your major. Any student can chose to observe a flight student’s flight, free of charge. Most professors are thrilled when students ask them questions about a specific program or express an interest to learn more – you have the opportunity to do that here. While I want to work in the airline industry in the business side of things, I’m taking the opportunity to learn as much as I can about other aspects within the industry.
If you ever have any questions about Embry-Riddle, life as a student, or the college of business, feel free to ask! (My email is listed above).
Until after spring break,
Jonathan
Yesterday, I filled out my wish list (Form 53) for my job in the Air Force when I commission. I had to select the top six jobs that I would prefer and I’m hoping that they will assign me my first choice—cost analysis officer. Two weeks ago, we found out which cadets got pilot, navigator, and air battle manager slots. I was so excited because many of my friends got to see their dreams come true that day! I’m not sure when I find out my job, but I think it’s towards the end of April.
One exciting thing that I got to do this past weekend was travel to Orlando for the Women in Aviation Conference. A College of Business Industry Advisory Board member that works for Air Tran was willing to sponsor two senior students and I was lucky enough to be chosen. I’ve been a member of Women in Aviation for several years, but I had never been to the annual conference. My favorite part of the day was getting to meet and talk to two former WASPs. I feel like after attending, my passion for aviation has been rejuvenated! One piece of advice that I would like to offer future students is join professional organizations because they are a great way to network and stay up to date on what is happening in the industry.
Hello, again! I’m pleased to tell you that the weather hit a turning point today and it climbed into the 70s! I took full advantage of the beautiful day and headed outside to work on homework.
Let’s take a look back on the past two weeks: I worked the Daytona 500 and got sunburned, had my first test of the semester, saw a huge spider at work, and got accepted into the MBA program. My job working at the Daytona 500 was to stand at one of the gates and tear tickets. The weather was freezing and I didn’t even think about needing sunscreen; however, the sun was shining and I spent the day looking directly at it. After two years of getting burnt, I will remember the sunscreen next year. My first test was in my Ethics class and I think it went well, but I won’t know for sure until Tuesday. This week I have my first test in Airline Management and I’m thinking it shouldn’t be that bad. The spider at work freaked me out because I hate spiders; thank goodness he’s no longer a problem! I was excited to see the big envelope in my mailbox and when I opened it there was the acceptance letter, so now it’s official that I’m going to do my MBA. Yippee!
The other day while I was working, I met an Embry-Riddle freshman who was just checking out the airport and he asked me what there was to do in the Daytona area. I figured if a new student wants to know what there is to do, then a prospective student probably does too. With that said, I’ve created a list of things to do in and around Daytona whether you are visiting the area or coming to school:
“So, I say to you students of Embry-Riddle, don’t be afraid and please don’t walk away from a career in aerospace. The nation is depending on you to pry from the tiller of space the hands of those who don’t understand what its promise means. The nation is depending on you to rebuild from the wreckage that our present leaders may cause. The nation is depending on you to bring the vigor of youth to aging bureaucracies and to make them all new and bright again. This you can do, this you must do, and this old rocket boy is certain you will do. Now go forth and make me proud.” ~ 
The STS-130 crew of space shuttle Endeavour returned home last night (2/21) wrapping up a successful 13 day mission to the International Space Station. Endeavour travelled more than 5.7 million miles and has given ISS crew members a backyard view of our extraordinary planet. Endeavour has one flight remaining before being decommissioned and only four total shuttle flights remain before the program retires.
Graduation is fast approaching and the other week I attended a meeting that gave all the details about the ceremony and things you must do before walking across the stage. Only about three more months till the day is here and I’m excited to order my cap and gown! If we want to, we can decorate our cap and I’m trying to decide what I want to put on there. Some people were shocked to find out that I would be graduating too; I love watching people’s reactions when I tell them! Along with the graduation meeting, I went to a MBA information session and learned some more things about the curriculum. In order to finish by next May, I think I will be spending my summer taking classes. I’ve taken summer classes before and I sort of like them better because you are done in six weeks instead of fourteen.
This semester is going extremely well thus far. I’ve become more involved with campus clubs and out of class projects. It’s demanding but nonetheless a blast. This past week, ERPL (Experimental Rocket Propulsion Lab), one club that I am a member of, performed a hydro-burst test on a liquid propelled rocket engine. Hydro-burst is a type of test which determines the amount of pressure an object can withstand. Basically, the rocket engine is filled up with water and sealed off to a pump. This pump steadily increases the amount of pressure buildup on the engine and will keep increasing until the pressure is too great. Thus, the end result is a rupture or ‘burst’ in the engine.
There is a group, called The Flock, that rallies behind and cheers for Embry-Riddle athletics. It is one of the approximate 140 organizations and student groups here at Embry-Riddle. Aside from being a flock member, I am a member of Embry-Riddle’s Collegiate Entrepreneur’s Organization, where students with business ideas can get advice and tips for starting their business. In addition, I am active in the Airport Management Club, and I will be sure to share photos from our upcoming tour of Tampa International Airport.
Classes are progressing fairly well, but they are challenging. Yet the professors do a great job relating the classes to aviation and its industry. My introduction to aeronautical science class, meant for those non-flight students, is taught by a former military pilot. My speech class is taught by a pilot. The professors are top quality, and they possess the background and credentials that give a feeling of assurance and reliability in what they teach.