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Industry Outlook: An interview with Scott Wargo and Damon D’Agostino

As seen by the IAB panel discussion and open forum, students are worried about job availability. Due to this concern, we chose to interview Scott Wargo and Damon D’Agostino to see how they broke into aviation and what the stability of the industry looks like.

“I started out as a test pilot in Apache helicopters before I went to Pratt & Whitney,” said Wargo. “Then I moved into a continuous improvement group. That’s what led me to where I am now.”

“That’s the beauty of aviation,” said D’Agostino. “We heard how Richard [Hale] started off as a broom pusher and Scott has obviously touched many aspects of the industry.

Wargo currently works for Airbase Services, a company which reconditions aircraft and outfits them for customer needs.

“We stockpile seats and upholstery and hardware. Anything related to a particular aircraft that we work on.”

Wargo and D’Agostino continued to explain that while commercial aviation may be faltering, other areas strong in another.”

Wargo and D’Agostino agree, opportunities are available.

“We have a whole spectrum of expertise to conduct the job,” said Wargo. “We always need good people around, especially in critical areas like A&P.”

“Companies will find entry-level room if they want you later,” said D’Agostino. “It’s just the way it is.”

Both expressed their desire for students at Embry-Riddle to not only look at obvious industry related positions like a pilot or air traffic controller, but to look for alternatives in areas that are not so central to commercial aviation.

“Yes, we need those positions,” said D’Agostino. “Planes don’t fly without pilots. But the smaller industries like suppliers and financial providers are the ones that really power aviation.”