Jul 17 2025
On a field trip as a fourth-grader, Thien Phong Pham knew what he wanted to do when he grew up: he wanted to be around planes.
Thien joined his Boy Scout troop on a special visit to the Missouri Aviation Classification Repair Depot, a Missouri National Guard facility at Springfield-Branson National Airport. There, he received a tour of the facility, where air mechanics repair helicopters at SGF.
“It was a visit to that facility that really got me interested in aviation,” said Thien. “Now, I just want to learn about all sorts of different careers in aviation before I graduate high school.”
On July 10-11, Thien completed a job shadowing experience at Premier Flight Center, located at SGF. Now a sophomore at Kickapoo High School, Thien participated in observation flights with Premier Flight Center students and certified flight instructors, as well as observed flight simulators. Plus, he toured and learned details about the operations of a flight school, learning the different equipment, skills and jobs needed to help future pilots learn to fly.
Thien came prepared to ask questions, with a notebook in hand.
“Thien’s professionalism and knowledge of aviation made a strong impression on everyone,” said Julien Bernard, student relations director of Premier Flight Center. “It was an absolute pleasure having him with us for a couple of days, and we strongly encouraged him to apply for the FlySPS program at Springfield Public Schools before pursuing an associate’s degree from Ozarks Tech.”
Thien reached out to the Airport earlier in the summer to request the experience, and his advocacy for his own career in aviation paid off. After two half days at PFC, Thien met with Brian Weiler, director of aviation for the Springfield-Branson National Airport. Together, they discussed the variety of career paths and opportunities in aviation at SGF and beyond.
“Thien is a remarkable young man, who has a clear passion for aviation,” said Weiler. “I was impressed with his knowledge but also his clear professionalism. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing him in a leading role in the aviation industry some day.”
Thien participated in a job shadowing experience after he contacted SGF directly about an internship opportunity at the airport. Premier Flight Center facilitated the experience, which is limited in availability. For more information about tours and/or observation-only learning experiences at the SGF flight school, contact [email protected]