Perceived Educational Knowledge Differences Among Airport Managers and Entry-level Airport Operations Employees

Abstract

Airport managers, supervisors, and operations personnel at various airports throughout the United States were surveyed to assess the knowledge and skill requirements necessary for airfield operations personnel. They were then asked to assess the degree to which recent college graduates of aviation programs or new hires met the desired requirements. This paper presents findings comparing the two assessments and discusses the differences between desired knowledge and actual knowledge of new hires. Results of the study have implications for university and college aviation programs that offer aviation or airport management curricula as well as for airport organizations.