Daher, GAMA International Internship Program Looking for Candidates

The four positions offer the opportunity to be paid to explore careers in aviation.

Interns will have the opportunity to gain experience at Daher’s Kodiak aircraft production facility in Sandpoint, Idaho and the company’s headquarters in Tarbes, France. [Courtesy: Daher]

It has been said there is no better way to explore a career than through an internship. Some of them are more educational than others. For the second year in a row, Daher’s aircraft division and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) are partnering for an international internship program.

According to Daher and GAMA, four students, two from North America and two from Europe, will be selected. The interns will spend eight weeks exploring their areas of interest at the facilities of Daher’s aircraft division outside their home countries.

The North American interns will be assigned to the division’s Tarbes, France, headquarters and production facility for TBM aircraft. The interns coming from Europe will be based at the division’s Sandpoint, Idaho, operation, where Kodiak aircraft are produced. The company noted that the internship covers travel and living expenses, and lodging costs.

“These internships provide students with an invaluable educational experience that will further their knowledge of the incredible opportunities in our robust and global industry," said Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO, adding that he was particularly impressed after spending time with last year’s interns in Tarbes and Sandpoint."[It was] inspiring to see these extraordinary experiences spark their enthusiasm toward future opportunities in the industry.”

Nicolas Chabbert, senior vice president of Daher's aircraft division, echoed Bunce’s enthusiasm.

“More than ever, the general aviation sector must motivate those who will lead the industry of tomorrow, facing challenges that range from reducing its environmental impact and finding new global supply chain solutions to strengthening the talent pipeline for all types of jobs,” Chabbert said.

All four interns will be part of Daher’s team at EAA AirVenture at the end of July. During the annual gathering in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, they will have the chance to explore the aviation world and potential careers.

Who Is Eligible?

The internship is open to ages 21 to 24  who are citizens of the United States, Canada, or Europe. They must be enrolled as full-time students pursuing associate, undergraduate, or graduate degrees. Applicants should be able to demonstrate an interest in an aeronautical career, such as engineering, flying, aircraft maintenance, manufacturing, marketing, or related areas.

Candidates need to submit a résumé and cover letter that explains why they are the optimum candidate for the experience and provide supporting examples of interests and achievements. They must also submit a 40-second video introducing themselves and describing expectations for the internship.

North American students can apply here.

European students should apply at the GAMA-Daher U.S. internship experience or via email at w.ferreira@daher.com.

The deadline for submissions is March 30. The selections for this year’s internships will be announced by Daher and GAMA at the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo on April 9 in Lakeland, Florida.

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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