By Cameron Lee
October 29, 2026
According to 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Black professionals accounted for 9.1% of aircraft mechanics and service technicians nationwide. Meanwhile, an industry workforce report projects a North American shortfall of approximately 25,000 aviation technical personnel in 2026. Through Charlotte’s first Aero Xperience event, Monica Meadows, a Raleigh resident, former flight attendant, aviation consultant and chief operating officer of Black Women in Aviation, is working to introduce local students and the community to the range of careers available across the aviation industry.
Founded in 2022 by Samantha T. Mitchell, a longtime Boeing employee and the first woman to serve as a maintenance technician for Air Jamaica at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Black Women in Aviation addresses the lack of exposure through programming that connects youth with career pathways throughout the aviation ecosystem.
On Friday, October 30, Aero Xperience, a free, interactive aviation event, will bring its mission to Charlotte, transforming Freedom Hall at the Park Expo into a hands-on learning environment where attendees can explore the aviation industry and its career opportunities. The event will feature flight simulators, virtual reality experiences, drone demonstrations and STEM activities, along with opportunities for students and families to connect directly with aviation professionals.
“There’s so much to aviation because it’s an industry that has so many different pieces — skills and careers and so forth — but if you don’t know, you don’t understand it because you have limited exposure,” Meadows said.
The inaugural Aero Xperience event took place in Raleigh in 2025, drawing more than 600 attendees from 30 schools, and this year’s Charlotte event is expected to reach more than 1,000 middle and high school students and educators through a two-part program designed for both school groups and the general public.
During the day, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students will participate in hands-on demonstrations, interactive technology and STEM activities, including flight simulators, robotics and drones. They will also have opportunities to meet industry professionals and learn about careers in aircraft maintenance, engineering, air traffic control and airport operations, among other fields.
The free public session, scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. (registration required), will welcome families, educators and community members to explore exhibits featuring aviation equipment, including a flight simulator and aircraft engine, speak with professionals and learn about education and training pathways into the industry.
“It’s a nontraditional career path. A lot of people don’t know about aviation other than being a pilot, flight attendant,” Meadows said. “So what we’ve done is really created this activation that turns the light on aviation as an ecosystem.”
The event will showcase the technology and skills behind a range of careers. Attendees will learn about drone operations and the process of obtaining a Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 remote pilot certificate, along with demonstrations exploring jet propulsion, aircraft engines and aerospace engineering.
GE Aerospace will demonstrate how 3D printing is used in aerospace manufacturing, including examples of 3D-printed engine components, giving students a closer look at the engineering and production processes behind modern aircraft. Other activities will introduce participants to robotics, virtual reality and emerging aviation technologies.
The event will also feature special guests, including Jamel Larkins, who became known for flying solo at age 14 and now serves as an FAA ambassador for aviation and space education, and Quinn Reece, a North Carolina paramedic and the first pilot-paramedic to fly the Pivotal BlackFly on a 911 response in Hyde County.
Meadows and Mitchell also plan to announce new programs coming to Charlotte in the year ahead, creating additional opportunities for those interested in aviation education and training. The initiatives will also open the door for local venues, businesses, youth ministries and community organizations to host aviation-focused events, with mentorship opportunities available through Black Women in Aviation.
Participating organizations at Aero Xperience include Piedmont Airlines, PSA Airlines, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the City of Charlotte’s Opportunities for Youth program, Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Sullenberger Aviation Museum, which will all host activations.
Governor Josh Stein has also recognized October 30 as Aero Xperience Day, and in his proclamation, Stein highlighted the economic significance of aviation and aerospace, which contribute an estimated $88 billion annually to North Carolina’s economy and support more than 427,000 jobs statewide. The proclamation also points to projected demand across North America for 125,000 additional aircraft maintenance technicians and 122,000 commercial pilots over the next two decades.
For Meadows, introducing young people to these opportunities is about more than a single event. She wants students to recognize potential career paths they may never have considered and connect that curiosity to education, training and long-term employment.
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“This is also about workforce development,” Meadows said. “That’s really the bottom line, as well as changing trajectories of lives generationally.”
That includes reaching students whose interests may already align with the technical demands of aviation, even if they have never considered working in the industry.
“We also want to let the gamers know that they too are desired in aviation,” Meadows said, pointing to the critical thinking and related skills used in air traffic control.
By connecting those interests with real-world applications, Aero Xperience aims to demonstrate how skills in technology, problem-solving and engineering can translate into careers across the aviation sector.
While the event is designed for students, Meadows emphasized that the public session is open to anyone interested in learning more about aviation and the opportunities it offers.
Aero Xperience: Aviation in Action takes place Friday, October 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Freedom Hall at the Park Expo. Those interested in attending can register for free here. Learn more about Black Women in Aviation on its official website and follow the organization on Instagram and Facebook.
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