Sept. 5, 2018
With the recent opening of a new facility for general aviation aircraft owners at Blue Grass Airport (LEX), Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) students are enjoying an opportunity for valuable internships and part-time employment.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony last month, airport officials were joined by members of the general aviation community and EKU representatives and students to open WestLEX, a new facility specifically designed to provide support services to airport tenants leasing hangars on the west side of the airfield.
Several EKU aviation students are already employed part time at WestLEX including Maggie Smith, a senior aerospace management major from Frankfort who previously worked at the main terminal as an operations intern, said the “wide variety of work” as a service coordinator at a general aviation facility like WestLEX is preparing her well for the industry.
“It is a really good experience to engage the general aviation community,” she said.
“We are thankful for the exceptional partner we have found in Eastern Kentucky University,” said Eric Frankl, executive director for Blue Grass Airport. “With this new facility, EKU students can work part time to learn more about the general aviation community and better understand airport operations and customer service. We enjoy the opportunity to work with such eager and dedicated students and appreciate their interest in the aviation industry.”
August marked the fifth anniversary of the airport operations internship program, which is open exclusively to EKU aviation students and offered twice each academic year. The program boasts a 100 percent employment rate in the aviation industry for its participants within six months of their graduation from EKU.