Aerospace and
Aviation Day 2025
From piloting to avionics, careers in aviation are plentiful and well paying. This event is designed to inspire Seminole County students to follow their dreams in science, engineering, and aviation. Working professionals from the Orlando Sanford International Airport, its tenants and airline partners will be there to interact with students one-on-one.
- * Event is for Seminole County students ONLY.
- ** Students under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. No drop-offs please.
Where
Orlando SanfordInternational Airport
Million Air Hangar
2841 Flight Line Ave
Sanford, FL 32773
407.585.4024
AviationDay@OSAA.net
When
January 25, 2025
9am - 2pm
Schedule
Master of Ceremonies — Eric Burris
Only one meteorologist in Central Florida can say that they're born, raised and forecasting for their hometown. First Warning Meteorologist Eric Burris is thrilled to be forecasting weather for his friends, family and native Winter Park! A product of Seminole County Public Schools, Eric is PROUD to be a part of Aviation Day. While forecasting weather is the only career Eric has ever wanted to do, aviation is the big thing Eric loves in his free time.
Eric is a private pilot, and proud to call the Orlando Sanford Int’l Airport his home base. When Eric isn’t forecasting the weather, if it’s not family time- odds are he’s flying his Mooney out of Sanford. This airport has been his second home for aviation through flying his plane, and last year, was even the home base for a chance to fly with the Blue Angels in an F/A-18 Super Hornet.
Eric looks forward to being a part of the community he grew up in, hoping to give back some of what was given to him over the years- because he knows that value in his life he received… and looks forward to helping the next generation of pilots and meteorologists thrive!
Gates Open
Door Prize Draw 1
Panel Presentation by Blue Origin, Club for the Future
Door Prize Draw 2
Speaker - Dr. Adam Stark, Seminole State College
Speaker - Bianca Rhym, NASA
Aerobatics — Keith Lickteig
L3Harris Presentation & Trivia
Door Prize Draw 3
Panel Presentation by Allegiant Airlines Pilots
Door Prize Draw 4 — Gates Close
Event Close
FREE Plane Rides — EAA Young Eagles
Ages 8 – 17 (no exceptions) Click here to learn more about the EAA Young Eagles Pilots and FREE Plane RidesExhibitors
Hangar
- Air Force Recruiting Service, Detachment 1
- Air Force Academy Recruiting
- Air Force& — Air Commando Outreach Squadron
- AVCON Inc.
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance
- AviNation Magazine
- Blue Origin, Club for the Future
- C&S Companies
- CE Avionics, INC
- Central Florida Business Aviation Association
- Civil Air Patrol
- Eagle Aerospace Academy
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Everglades University
- FAA SFB ATCT — Control Tower
- Flexjet
- Florida Highway Patrol
- L3Harris
- MetroPlan Orlando
- NASA Kennedy Space Center
- Orlando Health EMS
- Orlando Science Center
- RS&H
- Seminole County Public Schools
- Seminole State College
- Transportation Security Administration — MCO K9
- University of Central Florida
Apron (Ramp)
- Allegiant Airlines
- Civil Air Patrol
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- EAA Young Eagles
- FAC Education Committee
- Florida State Guard
- L3Harris Flight Academy
- MiG-17
- Orlando Health EMS
- Orlando Sanford Flying Club
- SAA Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting
- Sanford Airport Police Department
- Seminole County Sheriff's Office
- Servant Air Ministries, Inc
- US Air Force
- US Navy
- WESH 2 Helicopter
Speakers
Bianca Rhym
Research & Technology, Studies & Strategic Investments Manager
Amy Jager
Senior Systems Engineer, New Glenn
Bob Warta
Senior Chief Engineer of Avionics
Nelson Perez
Launch Operations Controller, New Glenn
Adam Stark
Academic Dean of the Center for Computer and Engineering Technology
Partners
Gallery
View photos from past events
Location & Parking
Million Air Hangar
2841 Flight Line Ave, Sanford, FL 32773
Research & Technology, Studies & Strategic Investments Manager — NASA
Meet Bianca M. Rhym from NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Currently serving as the Research & Technology, Studies & Strategic Investments Manager for Gateway Deep Space Logistics (DSL), Bianca and the DSL team are orchestrating a symphony of innovation to propel humanity towards the lunar vicinity and into deep space. The Gateway will be an outpost orbiting the Moon that provides vital support for human explorers of the lunar vicinity, as well as a staging point for deep space exploration. It is a critical component of NASA's Artemis campaign, a NASA-led collaborative effort with commercial and international partners, to return humanity to the lunar surface and establish the first long-term presence on the Moon.
Prior to her current cosmic quest, Bianca relished her role as a Utilization Engineer and Electrical Power Systems (EPS) Subject Matter Expert for DSL. In that capacity, she used her expertise to explore opportunities to utilize space assets and systems to support cargo and science experiment payloads as they transit to and from space, while in orbit, and upon return to Earth. During that timeframe, she was also moonlighting with work for the Human Landing System program, contributing to the development of integration, testing, and verification frameworks essential for the Artemis campaign's human lunar return to the surface of the Moon.
Additionally, Bianca contributes her expertise to support KSC's stakeholder representation in NASA's Moon to Mars architecture concept development and reviews. The Moon to Mars architecture represents the hardware and operations needed for human missions to the Moon and Mars, and how they function together as a system of systems. In this process, big picture strategic objectives are decomposed into implementable pieces of the larger architecture puzzle.
With a background in Electrical Engineering, ground processing, testing, and verification for hardware, cargo, and external science payloads, Bianca has provided critical support for the International Space Station (ISS) as an ISS payload testing EPS lead, ensuring success, functionality, and reliability. Furthermore, Bianca has played a role in Commercial Resupply Service launch and recovery operations to and from the ISS, ensuring the smooth processing and handover, transport to the launch pad, and spacecraft integration of ISS-bound cargo and science payloads.
Bianca's contributions to KSC span the spaceport, ground systems, operations, research, technology, development, and strategic projects and initiatives … out into the galaxy! With her curiosity, passion for exploration, and drive to push the boundaries of human endeavor, from Earth / Moon / Mars supply chain logistics and helping to manifest a deep space exploration business case for terrestrial industry; efforts to return humans to the lunar surface, Moon exploration, and Mars-forward endeavors; Bianca is a key player in enabling humanity to boldly go where no man has gone before - and having the time of her life while doing it!
Senior Systems Engineer, New Glenn — Blue Origin
Amy Jager works in Blue Origin's New Glenn Mission Management organization with our NASA customers to prepare for future NASA science payload and lunar lander launches. She is responsible for overseeing the US Government's Certification of Blue's New Glenn launch vehicle. This requires providing technical data and insight to the US Government along with ensuring New Glenn aligns with the launch capability needs of NASA.
Amy received a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University and a Masters of Science in Meteorology from Mississippi State University. Fascinated by the intersection between the aerospace launch and satellite industry and the importance of satellites to the weather industry, she pursued her two passions of rockets and weather! Prior to returning to the Aerospace launch industry, Amy also pursued her passion for STEM education/outreach by working in museums such as the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington DC and then non-profit organizations affiliated with the University of Southern California.
About a decade ago, she returned to working in the Aerospace launch industry to work toward developing future launch and in space capabilities and has worked with both the USSF and NASA.
Senior Chief Engineer of Avionics — Blue Origin
Bob Warta is a Senior Chief Engineer of Avionics at Blue Origin. He has over 40 years of aerospace experience in program management and technical roles, developing satellite communication payloads, avionics, radars, ladar sensors, and missile systems. Bob is responsible for overseeing electronics and software development for the Blue Ring spacecraft platform, Blue Alchemist lunar regolith processing system, and the MK-1 Lunar Lander. Bob holds a BS in Physics from Nebraska Wesleyan University and an MS in Electrical Engineering from Loyola Marymount University.
Launch Operations Controller, New Glenn — Blue Origin
Nelson Perez works at Blue Origin’s Launch Complex 36, located on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. As a Launch Operations Controller he oversees mission-critical operations for New Glenn Mission Execution which includes daily operations, hazardous clear zones, and managing operational flows. He helps develop and oversee integration and testing flows in collaboration with vehicle processing and refurbishment teams. Nelson plays an integral role in ensuring the successful integration and testing of launch vehicle systems and multiple infrastructure projects at Launch Complex 36.
Nelson has 20 years of experience working in flight operations, flight training, global pilot recruitment campaigns and development of airline training centers and infrastructure projects. Nelson began his aviation career here at the Sanford International Airport as a dispatcher at Delta Connection Academy. Nelson received an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Valencia College and has over 40+ hours of flight time in Cessna, Cirrus, and Piper aircraft.
Nelson has a passion for aviation and promoting careers in STEM. During his time working at L3Harris, he worked with various aviation nonprofit organizations and local Aviation Magnet Schools to encourage pathways for future generations to pursue careers in aerospace especially here in Central Florida.
Academic Dean of the Center for Computer and Engineering Technology — Seminole State College
Dr. Adam Stark has had the privilege to work in higher education administration, information technology, and data analysis. Currently, he serves as the Academic Dean of the Center for Computer and Engineering Technology at Seminole State College in Sanford, Florida.
Dr. Stark is an effective leader with a proven track record of success in managing and developing teams, establishing strategic initiatives, and driving innovation. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a passion for education and a commitment to providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the ever-evolving technology industry.
In addition to his leadership experience, Dr. Stark is also an educator with a passion for teaching. He has served as an Adjunct Faculty member at Seminole State College since 2015, instructing courses in both traditional classroom and online formats. He is also a published author and a presenter at industry conferences.