By Aviation Recruiting | For charter operators, flight departments, and aviation professionals
In less than two weeks, business aviation comes to Las Vegas. NBAA-BACE 2026 runs October 20–22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with the outdoor Aircraft Connection at Henderson Executive Airport on October 20–21. NBAA expects more than 17,000 industry professionals.
For most attendees, the show is about aircraft, avionics, and deals. But this year, workforce has its own address on the show floor. NBAA has expanded its Career Zone, now in its second year, with a career fair, one-on-one coaching, scholarship help, and dedicated meetups for veterans and students.
If you hire pilots, technicians, or flight department staff, or you’re looking for your next role, here’s how to make the trip count.
1. Why this year’s show matters for hiring
The timing is good for both sides of the table.
Major airline pilot hiring slowed sharply this year, and that has put more experienced pilots in front of charter operators and corporate flight departments than at any point in years. Business aviation flying has stayed strong, and the technician shortage hasn’t eased.
That window may not stay open. ATP Flight School reported in September that airline hiring of its graduates is running nearly 40% ahead of 2025, and said major airlines briefed attendees at the 2026 OBAP Conference that they expect 2027 hiring to be just as strong. Operators who build their bench now will be in a better position when the airlines start calling again.
2. The Career Zone at a glance
- Where: West Hall W1, Las Vegas Convention Center
- When: Wednesday, Oct. 21, noon to 5 p.m., and Thursday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Career Fair: Employers meet candidates face to face. USAIG will be there highlighting aviation insurance careers, a reminder that business aviation jobs go well beyond the cockpit, cabin, and hangar.
- Career coaching: Showalter Business Aviation Career Coaching will help with résumés, LinkedIn profiles, interview prep, elevator pitches, and career planning.
- Headshot lounge: Get a professional photo for your résumé and LinkedIn profile.
- Scholarships and credentials: AviationStart will offer personalized scholarship audits, and NBAA Certified Aviation Managers will explain the CAM path. University and AABI representatives will cover graduate programs.
Networking sessions worth putting on your calendar:
- Top 40 Under 40 meetup: Wed., Oct. 21, 2:30–3 p.m.
- Military Connect Meetup: Wed., Oct. 21, 3:30–4 p.m., for veterans moving into civilian business aviation
- Collegiate Connect: Thu., Oct. 22, noon–2 p.m. Free for college students, faculty, and chaperones with a school ID, with networking tours across nine career paths, from pilot and maintenance to scheduling, dispatch, and flight attendant roles
3. A game plan for operators and flight departments
- Go with open roles in hand. Know which seats you need to fill this year and next: captains, SICs, A&Ps, IAs, schedulers, a director of maintenance. A clear list makes every conversation more productive.
- Have a two-minute pitch for your operation. Candidates want to know the aircraft, the base, the schedule, the on-call expectations, and where the job leads. Be ready to say it simply.
- Visit Military Connect. Veterans bring discipline, documentation habits, and hands-on experience, and many are actively planning their next step.
- Meet the next generation. Collegiate Connect and the Career Zone are the easiest places to start an internship or apprentice pipeline, especially for maintenance.
- Send your technicians to the Maintenance Track. The three-day program offers Inspection Authorization renewal credit for eligible technicians. Investing in your people’s training is one of the best retention tools you have.
- Follow up within 48 hours. The best candidates will meet several operators in Las Vegas. Speed after the show often decides who gets the hire.
4. A game plan for pilots, technicians, and job seekers
- Bring an updated résumé and business cards. That’s the first piece of advice from the Career Zone’s own coaches, and it still matters in a digital world.
- Prepare a short elevator pitch. Who you are, what you fly or maintain, and what you’re looking for, in 30 seconds or less.
- Know your numbers. Total time, PIC, turbine, time in type, type ratings, and certificates should be on the tip of your tongue and match your résumé exactly.
- Use the coaching and headshot lounge. A sharper résumé and a professional photo are free upgrades to your search.
- Look past the obvious roles. Scheduling, dispatch, sales, insurance, and management are all real business aviation careers, and many of them are hiring.
- Follow up, and keep it professional. A short thank-you note after the show is how a handshake turns into an interview.
5. Not going to Las Vegas? You can still move
Not everyone can step away from the line for three days, and hiring doesn’t stop when the show closes. Operators can still start searches now for Q4 and early 2027. Pilots and technicians can update their résumés, records, and LinkedIn profiles today so they’re ready when the right role opens.
The bottom line
NBAA-BACE is the one week a year when much of business aviation is in the same place. With pilots more available than they’ve been in years, technicians still scarce, and airline hiring expected to pick back up, this year’s show is a real opportunity to build relationships that turn into hires. Go with a plan, and follow up fast.
Hiring for your flight department or charter operation, or looking for your next role? Aviation Recruiting connects charter operators and corporate flight departments with experienced pilots, technicians, and aviation professionals across the country. Contact us today and let’s talk about your next move.
