Aviation in Wisconsin

Aviation is a cornerstone in Wisconsin’s economy, its business climate and the lives of its citizens. Planes are used to spot illegal activity in our state forests, helicopters provide transport for medical patients and their caregivers, and our many airports allow business professionals quick travel to and from important meetings. There are many areas of employment and jobs supported by the aviation industry. For more detailed information on the career fields please check out the Aviation Careers section of our website.

On Board the Aircraft

Commercial Pilots
Sample of reported job titles: Pilot, Captain, First Officer, Line Pilot, Charter Pilot, Check Airman, Flight Operations Director, Helicopter Pilot, Commercial Helicopter Pilot, EMS Helicopter Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Pilot)
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Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
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Flight Attendants
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Airport Operations

Air Traffic Controllers
Sample of reported job titles: Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS), Air Traffic Controller, Certified Professional Controller (CPC), Air Traffic Controller (Enroute Option), Air Traffic Controller (Tower Option)
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Avionics Technicians
Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles
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Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems- Includes helicopter and aircraft engine specialists.
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Maintenance and Repair Workers
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Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways. Includes concrete and asphalt paving machine operators, form tampers, tamping machine operators, and stone spreader operators.
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Transportation Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate the transportation operations within an organization or the activities of organizations that provide transportation services.
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Aviation Inspectors
Inspect aircraft, maintenance procedures, air navigational aids, air traffic controls, and communications equipment to ensure conformance with Federal safety regulations.
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Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
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Transportation Security Screeners
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Design and building of Aircraft

Aerospace Engineers
Sample of reported job titles: Flight Test Engineer, Design Engineer, Systems Engineer, Structures Engineer, Test Engineer, Aeronautical Engineer, Aerospace Stress Engineer, Avionics Engineer
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Mechanical Engineers
Sample of reported job titles: Mechanical Design Engineer, Process Engineer, Equipment Engineer, Design Maintenance Engineer, Systems Engineer, Chassis Systems Engineer, Commissioning Engineer
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Electrical Engineers
Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
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Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians
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Mechanical Engineering Technicians
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Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Sample of reported job titles: Sheet Metal Assembler and Riveter (SMAR), Structures Technician, Helicopter Mechanic, Aircraft Line Assembler, Assembly Riveter
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Machinists
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Welders
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Websites of Interest

Links to lists of over 560 public / private airports,
heliports and seaplane bases in Wisconsin

Airports in Wisconsin
http://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/travel/air/airport-info/arptdir-city.aspx

Airport Search (type Wisconsin in the search bar)
http://airportguide.com/airport_search_results.php

Seaplane bases in Wisconsin
http://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/travel/air/airport-info/sea-bases.aspx

Wisconsin airport web sites
http://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/travel/air/airport-info/wiarpts.aspx

Aviation History

Sky High is an online exhibit from the Wisconsin Historical Society
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Here is the place to share stories, past and present, about Wisconsin aviation history.
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Aviation History Timeline from the Lindbergh Foundation
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Aviation and wildfires

Planes and helicopters are critical tools in managing wildfires. Aircraft are often used to drop fire retardant or water to slow down a fire so firefighters can contain it. Firefighters also rely on planes and helicopters to provide reconnaissance of fires, transport firefighters and deliver equipment and supplies

Aviation links from the US Forest Service:
Helicopters
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Airplanes
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Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems (MAFFS)
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Here is the place to share stories, past and present, about Wisconsin aviation history.
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Weather

Weather plays a very important role in aviation.From icing on airplane wings to thunderstorms and strong winds, all forms of aircraft are vulnerable to the whims of the weather. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is the agency most turned to for information and conditions.

Website for educators and students
http://www.education.noaa.gov/ »

NOAA Home website
http://www.noaa.gov/ »

More Websites of Interest

What is a Medical Flight, and Why Should You Care?
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Air Traffic Management Glossary of Terms
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Phonetic Alphabet
There have been various phonetic alphabets used over the years but today aviators around the world use this one.
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A Glossary of Aviation
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Educator's Corner is a fun page for all grades. It includes activities for the classroom, fun experiments and much more.
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Design your own airplane! - From GE Aviation
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A variety of online activities from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museumdemonstrate the principles of aviation and spaceflight.
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Free teaching posters and packets from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
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This interactive website from Boeing shows an assortment of aircraft with information about each one and features people who have made a difference in aviation. This site also has an interactive page on how things from birds to gliders fly.
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Junior Flyer is for learning about aviation, in a non-stodgy, fun way.
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Lesson plans and more from the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame
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The K-8 Aeronautics Internet Textbook
This site offers a nice array of information, lesson plans and fun activities geared towards K-8 students. The textbook comes in three reading levels as well as in Spanish.
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Please visit our Intermodal/Container section for more information!