NOTAAM Newsletter

Fall 2025, Semester Recap

WEBSITE

ARTICLE REQUESTS

Updates from the School of Aviation

December 18, 2025

New School of Aviation Director!

It is my pleasure to celebrate the appointment of Dr. James “Birdy” Birdsong as Director of the School of Aviation. His appointment was effective as of September 1, 2025. Birdy has been a core member of the School for over a decade, having served in many capacities and leadership roles, including chair of the Aviation Management program prior to his 2024-2025 interim director role for the School. Birdy is a strong advocate for the School and I have enjoyed working with him since I arrived at Auburn University in 2022. I look forward to continued support of Birdy and the entire School of Aviation, with the best interests of the college and the School foremost in mind.

It is extra special to recognize Birdy’s recent promotion to Associate Professor this fall. He is now the Delta Air Lines Endowed Associate Professor and Director of the School of Aviation.

Congratulations to Birdy and War Eagle!

Jason Hicks, PhD

Dean, College of Liberal Arts

A Message from the

School of Aviation Director!

As we close the fall semester, we want to celebrate our fall graduates first and foremost! Your commitment and perseverance have been remarkable, and we can’t wait to see the incredible paths you’ll take in the aviation industry.

As we reflect on the conclusion of a transformational year, I want to emphasize what makes Auburn Aviation so special—our people. The passion, dedication, and enthusiasm that our students, faculty, and staff bring to Auburn Aviation each day are truly inspiring and form the heart of our success. Our team has grown this year, and we’ve recently welcomed new members who will help us continue to soar to new heights: Molly Wilbourne, Dispatcher; Robert Meadows, Dispatcher Supervisor; Abraham Khan, Maintenance Technician; Mark Coop, Maintenance Technician; Adam Wong, Maintenance Technician; and Landon Crawford, Director of Aircraft Maintenance.

From all of us at the Auburn University School of Aviation, Happy Holidays from our family to yours! May this season bring you joy, rest, and time with those who matter most.

Here’s to a bright and prosperous 2026!

James “Birdy” Birdsong, PhD

Delta Air Lines Endowed Associate Professor

Director, School of Aviation

Remembering Gary Kitely: A Pioneer in Collegiate Aviation

Gary Kitely, who passed away this fall, was a pioneering leader in collegiate aviation whose vision and dedication shaped Auburn University’s aviation program and influenced the industry worldwide. As manager of the School of Aviation when it was part of the College of Engineering, and later as Director of Auburn Aviation, Gary oversaw not only the Aviation Management degree and flight operations, but also the operations of the Auburn-Opelika Robert G. Pitts Airport, university air transportation services, and related aviation enterprises. He served as an Associate Professor in Aerospace Engineering, teaching Aviation Management and mentoring countless students, and also served as a flight instructor and flight examiner at Auburn University. Gary played a key role in establishing collegiate aviation as a recognized field of study, advancing professional accreditation, forging partnerships with industry, and connecting collegiate aviation programs across the country. His collaboration with leaders like the University of North Dakota’s John Odergard helped elevate aviation education to new heights. Even in recent years, Gary remained committed to Auburn Aviation, guiding its reform and growth. His contributions to aviation safety, professionalism, and education have left an enduring legacy that continues to shape generations of industry leaders worldwide. Gary will be deeply missed by the Auburn Aviation Family.

AU Report from 1981 highlighting Gary Kitely

Student Org Success

The War Eagle Flying Team recently competed in the 2025 NIFA Region IX SAFECON Competition in LaGrange, Georgia, where they achieved significant success, placing second overall. Individual student highlights include senior Bo Barlow taking the Region IX Top Pilot Award for the second consecutive year. They look forward to competing in the 2026 National SAFECON Competition in Moline, Illinois.

To view the full list of results, click here!

Auburn University School of Aviation faculty and students attended the University Aviation Association's 78^th Annual Collegiate Aviation Conference in Costa Mesa, California. Faculty members Dr. James Birdsong, Dr. Rebecca Baughman, Dr. Willie Billingslea, and Dr. Daniel Siao presented "Implementing an Enrollment Cap in a Southeastern Collegiate Flight Program," which discussed the recent implementation of the Professional Flight program cap. Dr. Siao also presented "VR in Maintenance Training" with colleagues Fernando Cifuentes-Sanchez and Carlos Smith from Middle Tennessee State University. Junior Maxton "Max" Yeast also presented research in the Undergraduate Research Poster Competition with his project titled "Economic Development and Air Service Impact: A Global and Regional Perspective." The NGPA booth also had representation from the Plains, with senior Zoe Stewart helping represent the organization. Those who attended had a great time representing the School of Aviation and look forward to attending in the future.

Girls in Aviation Day is an annual event hosted by Women in Aviation International to inspire youth to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace. Auburn University's WAI War Eagle Chapter hosted its annual Girls in Aviation Day this past October at the AUO Regional Airport. With over 400 attendees—a record-breaking number—this event was a tremendous success. The School of Aviation would like to give a special thank you to all the static displays and industry professionals who showed up in support. Because of your support, we were able to inspire a new generation of future aviators! We can't wait to see you all next year.

"Girls in Aviation Day was a great success! It took 6 months of planning and coordination to make this event happen. My favorite part of the event was having the opportunity to allow children to explore aviation in a way they had never seen before. We had 10 aircraft, and the owners were kind enough to allow the children to climb into them. I am extremely thankful that we were able to welcome over 400 people to the event. This is definitely an event I will never forget!"

- Olivia Higley

Senior, Professional Flight

WAI War Eagle Chapter, President

Auburn Aviation Peer Support (AAPS) leaders Brian Whittemore and Spencer Black, joined by Dr. Patrick O’Keefe, aviation faculty member and licensed counselor with Auburn University Counseling and Psychological Services, and School Director Dr. James Birdsong, recently attended the Annual Aviation Mental Health Symposium, held alongside the International Peer Assist Aviation Coalition (IPAAC) Conference in Montreal. The event brought together global airlines, universities, and safety experts to advance Peer Support Programs (PSPs) for safety-critical aviation personnel. In addition to serving on conference panels, Auburn students and faculty connected with peers from other institutions, engaged with global industry members, and gained valuable insights into best practices for aviation wellness to strengthen the AAPS program and aviation industry.

Fall Student Engagement

Along with our community outreach, our team has worked tirelessly to promote student engagement. This past semester, the School of Aviation hosted the Fall Aviation Career Fair, FOD Walk, as well as various new announcements for students.

The Fall Aviation Career Fair featured 19 employers and many business professionals, giving students the chance to network with potential employers and mentors. Almost all aspects of the aviation industry were represented, offering students the opportunity to speak with recruiters about airline pathway programs such as United Aviate, Delta Propel, Southwest Destination 225°, and now Frontier Airlines. We are so thankful to have the continued support from our industry partners. Their willingness to speak about the future of the aviation industry is a true testament to the Auburn School of Aviation's reputation.

In October, the Student Safety Committee hosted its second Foreign Object Debris (FOD) walk with over 50 attendees. After enjoying free coffee provided by Dutch Bros®, students walked along the runways to collect FOD, helping to create a safer environment for both students and professionals. The Student Safety Committee will be hosting another FOD walk in the spring. Stay tuned for more details!

The School of Aviation is pleased to announce our new pathway program with Frontier Airlines. This program is designed to identify strong candidates from select universities to provide them with a structured pathway to a career as a Frontier pilot. Hiring requirements as well as the application can be found below:

Apply to Frontier Now!

The School of Aviation is pleased to announce that it has been selected as one of 11 teams to receive the AUX: Immersive Learning Experiences grant for 2025. With faculty member Daniel Siao leading the proposal, we will be able to "Expand the Integration of Immersive Technology in the School of Aviation." The grant funds will go toward integrating off-the-shelf VR solutions into aviation courses and flight training, enhancing student proficiency and reducing training time through immersive, hands-on experiences with aircraft systems and procedures.

The School of Aviation is pleased to announce that through many generous donations, we were able to raise a total of $13,198 this past Tiger Giving Day. This money will go towards supporting our female flyers in the 2026 Air Race Classic.

A special thank you to all who donated!

The Rowe family has ingrained themselves in supporting Auburn University, and this year they have made an impact on the School of Aviation. This fall, the Rowes made a $1.5 million pledge to the School of Aviation to advance scholarships, career services, student success, and safety. These are areas they believe will help Auburn develop the nation's brightest aviation talent. Mike Rowe, a pilot, said Auburn's commitment to adopting FAA-level safety management systems inspired their gift, noting that "we weren't putting money into a system—we were putting money into a cause that made sense."

The School of Aviation is beyond grateful for this donation and cannot wait to continue supporting our students and striving for safety and excellence.

In 2025, School of Aviation faculty member Dr. Chul Lee played a pivotal role in Auburn University joining the Global Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Regional Summit, headquartered in Incheon, Korea. This international initiative unites government policymakers, industry leaders, and universities from Europe, Asia, and North America to advance urban policy development, training programs, research, and industry innovation in the rapidly evolving UAM sector. Dr. Lee represented Auburn at the 2025 K-UAM Confex in Incheon, and this year, Dr. James Birdsong continued that momentum by presenting updates on Urban Air Mobility developments in Alabama at the 2026 K-UAM Confex. Auburn’s active participation in these global conversations opens doors for collaboration, research, and leadership in this transformative industry.

Students at Career Fair scanning a QR code for more information.

The war eagle women teams are hugging after a race well done.

Frontier Air Lines Ambassador talking to students about the new pathway program

A female student wears a virtual reality headset, demonstrating how the virtual reality environment is used in Auburn classrooms

Photo Courtesy of Auburn University Office of Communication and Marketing

Photo Courtesy of Auburn University College of Liberal Arts

Student Spotlight:

Kyla Hampson

Kyla Hampson is a fall 2025 graduate and served as the grand marshal for the College of Liberal Arts this past week. Alongside earning her Commercial Pilot Certificate and Certified Flight Instructor certificate, Kyla has made a lasting impact on the Auburn community through her role as drum major in the Auburn University Marching Band. She credits the AUMB with helping her develop discipline and professionalism —traits essential to the aviation industry. Kyla states that the skills she acquired through her experience with the AUMB have become second nature to her. With her strong time management and discipline skills, she successfully balanced her flight training, her music major, and her commitment to the AUMB.

Kyla's passion for aviation is deeply rooted in her father’s influence. His dedication to taking her to air shows and museums as a child solidified her love for flying, and he even enrolled her in her first flying lessons.

After graduation, Kyla plans to stay in Auburn and work as a flight instructor to build flight time and progress toward meeting the minimum hours required to work for the airlines. Additionally, she will focus on wedding planning before marrying her fiancé, a spring 2025 Auburn graduate, in early March. The Auburn University School of Aviation wishes Kyla the best of luck in all her future endeavors.

Kyla Hampson on the Auburn University Football field as a drum major

Kyla Hampson and her father stand next to a sea plane after she received her sea plane rating.

Lainey Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Auburn University School of Aviation is honored to announce the creation of the Lainey Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund, established to celebrate the life and legacy of Lainey Anderson, an Auburn Aviation alumna and devoted flight instructor whose love of flying and care for others touched everyone she met.

Though Lainey’s life was tragically cut short, her passion, kindness, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire. This scholarship will support aspiring aviators who share her love for flight and dedication to helping others.

Once the fund reaches $25,000, it will become an endowed scholarship, ensuring Lainey’s legacy soars on through generations of Auburn Aviation students.