Polk State supports aviation education for kids
Polk State Aerospace Director Eric Crump explained the joy he experienced at last week’s Destination Aviation Summer Camp at the Aerospace Center for Excellence on the Sun ‘n Fun campus in Lakeland. “It is incredibly…
Polk State Flight Team lands in top 20 at NIFA national competition
The Polk State Flight Team recently competed in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) national aviation competition. Polk State aviators placed 20th nationally while competing against the top collegiate…
Polk State puts aviation career in reach for graduating Eagle being commissioned as U.S. Airforce officer
Stephen Pena Osorio has dreamed of a career in aviation ever since he was a little kid visiting the United States with his family from their native Colombia. He will receive his Bachelor of Science…
Polk State Aerospace graduate goes from jumping out of planes to flying them — for Amazon
The extent of John Margaritondo’s experience in aviation when he enrolled in Polk State College’s Aerospace Program in 2016 was jumping out of planes as a machine gunner in the Marine Corps. Now he is…
Winter Haven Regional Airport is home to a team of Polk State Aerospace students & grads
When visiting the Winter Haven Regional Airport, there is a great chance of being greeted by a Polk State College student or alum, with the fixed-base operator’s team of technicians completely comprised of Polk State…
Polk State Aerospace student lands UPS Airlines internship and scholarship
If someone told Ismael Jimenez-Barreto three years ago that he would be interning with one of the largest cargo airlines in the world, he would have doubted them. He was an aeronautical university dropout working…
Aerospace holds first career fair
Polk State Aerospace held its first career fair Jan. 16, 2020, at Airside Center East in Lakeland. More than 100 attendees had the opportunity to discuss career options with 12 employers.
Back to school at 40 and graduating, Polk State Aerospace student gets to “do every day what I dreamed of as a kid”
Anthony Reynolds wanted to fly since childhood. At 6 years old, he told his aunt he aspired to become a pilot. At 17, he flew his first plane. But at 19, he decided to stay…
Polk State Aerospace to host Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Program open house
Polk State College’s Aerospace Program will host an open house Monday, Aug. 5, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Polk State Airside Center East in Lakeland at 2949 Airside Center Drive for prospective students…
Polk State Aerospace student spreads her wings as Winter Haven Regional Airport manager
Whether she’s tending to the needs of nearly 200 pilots, working on $6 million in airport improvement projects, or hosting dozens of hot air balloon aviators on her “days off,” Ashley Udick is successfully filling…