#190 More Than Pilots: 1.5 Million Aviation Jobs Ahead with René Banglesdorf

Flourish Coaching

Sep 2, 2025

In this episode, Lisa and René discuss:

The wide range of career opportunities available in aviation, beyond being a pilot
The growing demand for aviation professionals due to industry growth and retirements
Barriers and opportunities for women in aviation careers
Ways for students and families to explore aviation early without costly commitments

Key Takeaways:

Over 1.5 million new jobs are expected to be added to the aviation industry in the next decade, spanning roles from pilots and mechanics to drone specialists and meteorologists, creating opportunities that extend far beyond the cockpit.
With 80% of mechanics and 20% of airline pilots expected to retire in the next 10 years, the industry faces an urgent need for new talent and massive knowledge transfer to keep operations safe and sustainable.
Aviation mechanics, who can enter the field through associate’s degrees or trade programs, often start at $70,000–$80,000 a year and can grow into six-figure salaries, offering a strong career path without requiring a costly four-year college degree.
Early exposure through programs like the EAA Young Eagles, discovery flights at local airports, and virtual career fairs provides teens and young adults with a low-cost, hands-on opportunity to determine if aviation sparks their passion before committing to a training pathway.

“One of the things that I notice about people who are successful in aviation is that they’re passionate about it. So I would say if you’re a person that wants something that you can be all in with… great choice.” – René Banglesdorf

About René Banglesdorf:

René Banglesdorf is an entrepreneur, business strategist, author, podcast host, public speaker, and board member. She is the founder and CEO of The Aviation Collective, a leadership development company specifically designed to help aviation professionals and emerging leaders. René has served hundreds of business owners as a high-performance business coach over the last six years. Additionally, she was the co-founder of Charlie Bravo Aviation, a company that sells private jets, spanning nearly $1B in sales across 44 countries during her tenure as CEO. She has served on the FAA’s Women in Aviation Advisory Board and is the current Chair of the Ohio University Department of Management and Strategic Development Advisory Board. René earned her private pilot license in 2021 and loves to fly for fun.

Episode References:

Occupational Outlook Handbook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
Young Eagles program (EAA – Experimental Aircraft Association): https://www.eaa.org/eaa/youth/free-ye-flights
#130 Pathway to Becoming a Pilot: Admissions and Career Insights with Penny Linsenmayer: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/podcast/130-pathway-to-becoming-a-pilot-admissions-and-career-insights-with-penny-linsenmayer/
Rene’s podcast and aviation career opportunities are at flourishcoachingco.com/aviation

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