Building on a 95-Year Legacy: ALPA President Inspires Students with a Look Back and a Vision Forward

Making connections and bridging the gap between the classroom and the flight deck are what the ALPA ACE Club is all about. As part of these ongoing efforts, ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi joined Education Committee chair F/O Justin Dahan last week for an ACE Club meeting at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.

More than 60 collegiate aviators in attendance learned about ALPA’s rich history, including many accomplishments that have shaped the industry. From innovations as simple as the fasten seatbelt sign to systems as complex as being on the development team for ADS-B and the Boeing 777, ALPA has played a role in countless safety and quality-of-life improvements for pilots and aviation.

Ambrosi brought this history to life, emphasizing how ALPA was founded for safety and has touched almost every aspect of the aviation industry. While he highlighted the breakthroughs, bold decisions, and trailblazing members who helped shape nearly a century of progress, the heart of the conversation focused on the future.

Understanding the organization’s 95-year history isn’t just educational, it’s the spark that will empower the next generation of ALPA pilots to drive the industry forward with purpose, innovation, and momentum.

Learning how past leaders navigated challenges and drove progress gives aspiring aviators valuable insight into the responsibilities and possibilities ahead. This knowledge provides a foundation of purpose and connection, reminding them that they will be joining a legacy built by generations of professional pilots.

The ALPA ACE Club provides structured industry mentorship and leadership opportunities to collegiate aviators at 17 universities in the United States and Canada. ALPA members looking for more information or to get involved should visit the Education Committee page.