The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) recently hosted the 2006 Aviation and Transportation Education Expo at Boston Logan International Airport. More than 40 static aircraft, displays, and information booths representing various aspects of the transportation community served as the backdrop for the event. The Expo has been a premier educational experience in Boston that started over 13 years ago as a collaborative effort sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Massport and United Airlines.

"Our goal with the Expo was to get the students thinking about careers in aviation," said Massport CEO and Executive Director Thomas J. Kinton, Jr. "The Expo was a multi-faceted event that brought together more than 600 students from the Greater Boston area to hear from aviation professionals of the many opportunities and experiences offered by the aviation transportation community."

This year's key-note speaker was Jamail Larkins, who at the age of 12 piloted his first flight and shortly after, at the age of 14, soloed his first aircraft. Mr. Larkins is currently a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and in 2005 was appointed the first Ambassador for Aviation and Space Education for the FAA. Mr. Larkins is currently touring the US to share with students the many opportunities available in the aviation industry, including aviation youth programs, and to provide guidance to overcome obstacles that they may encounter in life. His presentation, "Navigating the Journey of Life", is an autobiographical program that applies the same techniques he and his fellow pilots use to the challenges many students will encounter during their school years. The goal of the presentation was to educate students about launching and achieving their dreams in whatever fields they may desire.

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