Aviation summit 2026
Building Pathways, Not Just Programs: Inside Our First AACT Aviation Summit
I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and energy for our AACT Aviation students — and for the incredible Reno/Sparks aviation community that showed up for them in a powerful way.
Today was simply incredible.
At the Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology (AACT), we hosted our first-of-its-kind Aviation Summit — a professional-level, onsite conference designed specifically for high school students. This wasn’t a field trip. It wasn’t a career day.
It was immersion.
We welcomed 20 aviation professionals representing every corner of the industry — from military aviation to commercial airlines, engineering, maintenance, air traffic, unmanned systems, and scientific research.
And they didn’t just speak to our students.
They sat with them.
They listened.
They asked questions.
They helped students map real pathways aligned to their dreams.
A Professional Experience — Designed for Students
The day unfolded in intentional layers:
Round-robin workshops with aviation leaders
Deep-dive sessions on next steps toward becoming an airline pilot — exploring both private and military pathways
An interactive Expo Hall where vendors and partners engaged students directly
A student drawing for a Discovery Flight with Great Basin Aviation
Our Culinary students prepared and served an incredible meal, elevating the experience even further. The atmosphere felt like a professional conference — because that’s exactly what it was.
Students experienced mentorship, networking, and real-world conversations in a setting that treated them like future professionals — not someday participants.
A Guest List That Raised the Bar
The level of leadership in the room was extraordinary:
A B-2 bomber test pilot
A female pilot from Southwest Airlines
A captain from Delta Air Lines
A retired NASA inventor
Drone pilots
Representatives from the FAA
Scientists from Desert Research Institute
Service members from the Nevada National Guard
Industry professionals from the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority
Aviation leaders from Reno Stead Airport
Each one gave their time, their stories, and their honest perspective on the journey it takes to build a life in aviation.
What Stood Out Most
The power of community.
When industry comes alongside education, doors open.
Students don’t just “learn about careers.”
They begin to see themselves in them.
This summit happened because of true collaboration. A huge personal thank you to Joshua Taufa Hartzog, Ph.D., Matt MacKay, Matt Cope, and Captain Phil Daniels for their determination, creativity, and countless hours of work. This was teamwork at its finest.
Proud doesn’t begin to cover it.
This is what it looks like when we build pathways — not just programs.
And this is what it means to Bring the E to CTE:
Energy.
Engagement.
Empowerment.
Let’s soar!