Steve Iglehart (back right) and Brian Rau (middle) with Medina, N.D., fifth graders in front of Steve’s AT-402.

Last month, NAAA members Steve Iglehart and Brian Rau of North Dakota spoke to 834 fifth graders about agricultural aviation. They met with groups ranging from 10 to 30 students at a time. The career day they participated in is an annual event facilitated by Bismarck Aero Center and the North Dakota Aviation Association that exposes area fifth graders to many potential careers in aviation. The students rotate to stations featuring various aspects of aviation, including agricultural aviation. Steve and Brian gave a brief overview of what an agricultural pilot does and how to get started in the business. They emphasized why it is important to do well in school, especially in math, science, business and technology for careers in aviation, particularly agricultural aviation. The rest of the time is spent fielding questions about an ag pilot’s work and the aircraft they fly. This cycle repeated throughout the day until all 834 students made it through the stations.