Aeronautical management technology students at ASU Polytechnic helped organize and host the first ASU Aviation Expo.
Garrett Vanark, a senior in the professional flight program, said students started work on the event in November.
In previous years it was known as "Aviation Industry Day." This year the event was bigger and more of the business community got involved.
The expo had displays, exhibits, 12 training planes, panel discussions and featured guest speaker Rod Machado, author of "The Aviation Safety Reflex."
ASU is one of three universities in the nation that have a high altitude chamber. Pilots come to the expo for the new flight simulator, training opportunities and aviation partnerships.
Wayne Tripp, event coordinator and professor at ASU, said this is why the Valley has been nicknamed "the Valley of Aviation."
About 500 people attended the expo to see around 30 exhibitions, Tripp said.
"This event speaks to all aspects of aviation: engineering, research and development, safety and management," Tripp added.
Bryan McClure, a senior in air transportation management, was head of the facilities task force.
"All AMT classes were canceled, but students were expected to help or attend the expo," he said.
McClure said the event will probably be held a few weeks earlier next year and he plans on participating. He hopes to begin planning and advertising earlier as well.
Flight freshman Luke Gehauf volunteered to greet visitors who flew in for the expo.
"People flew in from California, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Prescott, Embry Riddle and parked their planes outside," he said.
Fighter Combat International, a pilot emergency maneuver training and aerial adventure company, donated hangar space to the expo.
Reach the reporter at erika.camardella@asu.edu.
