Aviation Family Weekend 2025: Farewell to the Original Flight Ops
Join us April 24-27, 2025 as we reminisce about the original flight operations building where thousands of flight students and CFIs earned their pilot and flight instructor certificates over the past 50+ years.
Visit the Flight Operations Center page for a look at the exciting transformation ahead!
On behalf of the University of North Dakota Alpha Eta Rho, Delta Chapter, Professional Aviation Fraternity, we would like to welcome family, friends, and loved ones to our annual UND Aerospace Aviation Family Weekend. This event brings family and friends from all over the world to celebrate the achievements of our aviation students.
This annual event kicks off with the SAMA Conference featuring speakers throughout the day, as well as the industry-known SAMA Career Fair, where students can visit with aviation professionals and network. For more info, visit the SAMA website or email president.undsama@gmail.com.
Yapp App
Download the Yapp app for the full Family Weekend schedule, speaker info, live updates, and more!
Events
Family Weekend Banquet Dinner
Saturday, April 26
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Limited seats will be available for current students and their families. Students receiving a scholarship will be given a complimentary seat for dinner. The dinner will include a buffet with beef and vegetable lasagnas, salad, garlic bread, mini dessert bites, and refreshments.
The Banquet Dinner is sold out!
Schedule
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Thursday, April 24: SAMA Conference
Clifford Hall Room 210
|
|
| 9:30 a.m. | Welcome |
| 9:45 a.m. | Dr. Michael Gillen Senior Manager of Fleet Standard / Captain (B777 and B787), United Airlines |
| 11:15 a.m. | Amanda Simpson CEO, Third Segment LLC |
| 12:45 p.m. |
Nathan Ruedy Lisa Ruedy |
| 2:15 p.m. | Josh Shields Gulfstream G550 Senior Captain and Aviation Safety Manager, BAE Systems, Inc. |
| 3:15 p.m. | Closing Remarks |
| Friday, April 25 | |
| 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. | SAMA Career Fair Flight Ops, Center Hangar |
| 12 p.m. | USAF Flyby Airport |
| Saturday, April 26 | |
| 7 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Women in Aviation Takeoff Breakfast Flight Ops, Center Hangar |
| 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | AHP Lunch and Silent Auction Flight Ops, Center Hangar |
| 4 p.m. | Scholarship Ceremony |
| 6 p.m. | Banquet Dinner and Silent Auction
Memorial Union, doors open at 5:30pm
Speaker: Jack Muhs
Former Senior Vice President of Aviation Safety, Technology, & Business Operations, FedEx Express |
| Sunday, April 27 | |
| 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. | UND NGPA and First Gen Pilots Brunch and Bingo Robin Hall Atrium
|
Family Flights
Student Currency/Proficiency Report
Informational Meeting and Member Priority Sign-up
Priority sign-up includes members from Alpha Eta Rho for organizing family flights in conjunction with flight operations.
Location: Robin Hall Room 148
Date: Sunday, March 23 @ 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Aircraft and Launch Times Sign-ups
Location: Ryan Hall (window across from Dispatch)
Dates:
- Thursday, March 27 @ 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
- Friday, March 28 @ 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Saturday, March 29 @ 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Pilot Safety Briefings
Location: Clifford Hall Room 210
Dates:
- Wednesday, April 2 @ 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
- Monday, April 7 @ 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Thursday, April 10 @ 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
For additional information regarding family flights, email AHP.UND@gmail.com.
Future Banquet Dates
Save the date for these upcoming Scholarship Ceremonies/Banquet Dinners!
- April 25, 2026
Highlights from Past Years
2024
2023
2022
Hosts
