Welcome to Aviators NEXT, a look at the next generation of pilots and aviation professionals who have received scholarships or sponsorships with Universal Avionics. Raul Cornejo is a student from El Salvador studying in the Aviation Maintenance Program at Broward College in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Raul was awarded the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) Educational Foundation – Universal Avionics Scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year, sharing his progress and story.
I am down to my final semester at Broward College, having already completed the Airframe Mechanic portion and Powerplant 1, and am wrapping up the Powerplant 2 section. I’m just looking forward to finishing, it’s right around the corner. My professors did a great job teaching. While it’s interesting learning the old stuff, I’m eager to do more with large commercial jets.
Aviation Hangar at Broward College (Photo by ZYSCOVICH, LLC)
How did the scholarship come about? Did you apply or were you picked?
I discovered the scholarship through the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) website. They have various scholarships listed there, and the Universal Avionics Scholarship was one of the ones I applied to.
Are you familiar with Universal Avionics at school or work?
I know that Universal manufactures avionics for some business planes or small jets, but I haven’t had the opportunity to work with them myself. In my current part-time role as an Avionics Technician for Gulfstream, I mainly see it on the Gulfstream G4, which has the Universal FMS.
What attracted you to aviation as a career?
Honestly, it’s how airplanes and technology are changing so quickly, for example, with glass cockpits. I enjoy working on them, and the pay is good. It seemed like an interesting and fun career choice for school. It’s also a great time to get into aviation maintenance because there are many job opportunities as the current job market enters retirement.
Gulfstream Service Center at the Palm Beach International Airport
Tell us about your current job role?
I work part-time on weekends as an Avionics Technician at Gulfstream. I work as an avionics installer, doing upgrades and building wiring harnesses, often when airplanes want an internet system or a new update. Seeing the whole plane torn apart while running the cables is my favorite part.
What would your dream job be?
I haven’t fully decided on where I want to end up at the moment. Airlines are the place to go – I agree on the flight benefits – but I also enjoy corporate aviation and might find other opportunities… possibly even with a manufacturer in avionics?
What are your life ambitions beyond career (family? travel?)
Following graduation, I want to get a job with benefits and travel outside of Florida – maybe see mountains, go hiking. I also want to save for a house.
Raul enjoys the outdoors and taking trips to quiet beaches in Fort Lauderdale
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy reading non-fiction and comic strips in Spanish or English – Peanuts (Snoopy) is my favorite. I also like taking random trips to the beach, especially the quiet beaches in Fort Lauderdale.
What's the most interesting place you've traveled to?
Sedona, Arizona. Seeing all the red rock formations in a small town was amazing. It was very peaceful and tranquil, a real change from Miami where it’s hectic. I hope to get back there.
Raul Cornejo at the Red Rock formations in Sedona, Arizona
What’s on your Spotify playlist?
I listen to English and Spanish rock music, like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pixies. At the moment, I'm really into "Knock Me Down”.
What’s your favorite aircraft?
The SR-71 Blackbird. I got to see it in person at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
The SR-71 Blackbird: Raul’s favorite aircraft, on display at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio
What's on your bucket list?
I plan to go back to Sedona someday. I'd also like to visit Moab, Utah. I want to see mostly nature; Fort Lauderdale and Miami are very urban, so it would be nice to get away to somewhere dry instead of humid and swampy.
Your top three dinner guests, dead or alive?
My three dinner guests would be Charles M. Schulz – the cartoonist and creator of “Peanuts,” because I grew up watching the Christmas special with my family. St. Augustine – I enjoy reading his confessions; it's one of the greatest books, and as someone of Christian faith, I enjoy what he has to say. And Quino – an Argentinian comic strip creator; his comic strips make me laugh, and I admire how he mastered his craft after being rejected.
“Seeing all the red rock formations in a small town was amazing. It was very peaceful and tranquil, a real change from Miami where it’s hectic. I hope to get back there.”
Anything else to add?
I would like to say thank you to Universal Avionics and the AEA Educational Foundation for awarding me this scholarship. It helps a lot with paying for my tuition and the materials or tools that I need to buy for school. It can even help cover additional tools not just for school, but that I can use later on for a future job.
Like they say about the airframe and powerplant program, it is a stepping stone – a license to learn. So, I’m excited and very thankful for the help in receiving this license through the scholarship.
Congratulations to Raul Cornejo on this exciting achievement!
As part of the AEA Educational Foundation Scholarship Program, the Universal Avionics Scholarship is available to high school seniors and/or college students who plan to or are attending an accredited school in an avionics program or aircraft maintenance program.
Since its inception, the AEA Educational Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million to students seeking careers in the aircraft electronics and aviation maintenance industry. Meet the other individuals who were awarded scholarships for the 2024–25 academic year from the AEA Educational Foundation.
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