Aviators NEXT: Jordan Burkett

Welcome to Aviators NEXT , a look at the next generation of pilots and aviation professionals who have received Universal Avionics scholarships. Jordan Burkett is a student at Utah State University and currently works as an operations management intern for Able Aerospace Services. She recently led the Utah State University Flight Team in the 2022 National SAFECON Competition, organized by the National Intercollegiate Flying Association in May.

Jordan was awarded the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) Educational Foundation – Universal Avionics Scholarship for the  2022-23 academic year, sharing her progress and story.

Bring us up to date with your progress at USU?

I’m heading into my senior year soon, on track to graduate in May 2023 with a Bachelor’s in Business Management: Operations.

How did the scholarship come about? Did you apply or were you picked?

I applied through the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA).

Do you use Universal Avionics at school or work?

I have always been around small aircraft equipped with the most basic technology. However, I expect to interact more with NextGen avionics as I get further into my career and flight training.

What attracted you to aviation as a career?

I grew up in aviation and seem to have inherited a passion for it that none of my three older brothers did. The incredible technology that goes into making an airplane fly will never cease to capture my interest - and I will never get tired of flying itself. At this point, I don’t think I could live a personally fulfilling life without being involved in aviation.

Tell us about your current job role?

I am currently working as an Operations Management Intern at Able Aerospace - a Textron Company, in Mesa, Arizona. My department, Rotor Wing, is the largest department at Able. My role has been to improve processes around the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of the rotorcraft parts that we service. This has largely entailed being on the floor observing and documenting how effectively our various procedures are being followed and finding ways to improve them.

What are your life ambitions beyond career (family? travel?)

I love to see new places - in the last month I have likely covered 1,000 miles of new roads in Arizona, exploring the various national parks and must-see sights in this state. I’m hoping that my career can support more extensive travel - to other countries and around the U.S. alike. It is definitely a bucket list item to visit every state in the U.S. If I am lucky enough to be able to support it, I would like to own a large plot of land someday- 50+ acres where I can just set down roots.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I like to paint - I’ve been creating art on Photoshop since high school. Besides that, I’ll spend my free time after work watching movies or casually playing a video game. On weekends I like to either travel somewhere or just go out to any local attractions - sometimes I just need to get outside.

What's the most interesting place you've traveled to?

That’s an incredibly tough question. Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia is an incredibly beautiful place nestled in the Appalachians, with a ton of interesting history. However, I was pretty young when I visited here. In recent times, perhaps McCall, Idaho. I love high-altitude, coniferous forests, and McCall is not only settled in the middle of this, but on Payette Lake as well. Like many towns in the Pacific Northwest, this mining-turned-resort town puts emphasis on the outdoors and much of the architecture is modeled after alpine lodges. It is beautiful, the weather is perfect, and the town's history is really interesting. I really enjoy this area of the country.

What’s on your Spotify playlist?

SIAMES - Mr. Fear

What’s your favorite aircraft?

Rockwell Commander. This little plane has long been a favorite of mine ever since I saw one many years ago. I have no particular reason to like it, it’s not really known for anything, I just think it’s a really cool airplane.

What's on your bucket list?

I want to backpack either by foot or bike through Central Europe, supplemented occasionally by trains. Just spend a couple months wandering around, with the goal of experiencing as many new and unique places in that region as possible. Then, experiencing the Himalayas is a major goal of mine. Likely through India or Nepal.

Your top three dinner guests, dead or alive?

1. Wally Funk - I had the pleasure of meeting her at the 2022 Women in Aviation Intl. Conference. She is an incredible person - she couldn’t be friendlier and is happy to share stories about her incredible life experiences.
2. Anthony Vallone - I read his book, Air Vagabonds, as I was just beginning flight training. All I know about him is that he was an international ferry pilot for twenty-something years, and that his book really inspired me. I think it would be incredible to meet someone with such a talent for storytelling and the real experiences to back it up.
3. Teddy Roosevelt - Probably the most impactful quote in my life, I have a copy of his “Man in the Arena” quote on my desk. I think it would be incredibly insightful to talk to someone with such vision and passion for the world.

Anything else to add?

I’d like to say that I have only come this far through the support of others, and that winning this scholarship is an incredible enabler for me to continue doing as well as I can. My goal now is to finish university strong: keep up my academics, be fully involved in my extracurriculars, and make good connections in order to properly start my career in aviation. Thank you for the support.