Aaron M. Barth, A.A.E.
Age: 39
Assistant Aviation Director
City of Fort Worth
- Alma Mater: Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
- Something people may not know about me: I’m a drummer
- Favorite book: Flight: 100 Years of Aviation
- Favorite TV show: The Office
- Favorite movie: James Bond Series
- Favorite hobby(s): Golf, drummer, flying
When Aaron Barth graduated high school he didn’t want a “job that seemed like a job,” so he decided to be a pilot.
Barth became a flight instructor, then worked as a corporate pilot for more than three years. After getting married and having kids, Barth realized pilot life wasn’t very conducive to having a family, so he set his eyes on airport management.
“When I was traveling for corporate, we’d go to different airports and go into their terminal facilities and we found some that were very pilot user-friendly and others that weren’t,” he said. “I thought, man, there could be a lot done with those airports and that’s what sparked an interest in trying to make a difference in those airports that needed it.”
Barth became airport manager at Claremore Regional Airport (GCM), a reliever airport to Tulsa International Airport (TUL). While there, he also ran the FBO and created fuel incentives and public events. The airport saw a 25 percent increase in revenue its first year.
Barth joined the city of Fort Worth in 2009 as an airport manager at Fort Worth Spinks Airport (FWS). He was promoted to assistant director of aviation in 2015 and updated the city’s minimum standards practices.
With the effective use of gas well revenue, Barth has been able to balance the airport’s budget. The usage of public-private partnerships has allowed the construction of a fire station to service Spinks and South Fort Worth.
Barth has been asked to speak at conferences and workshops to discuss how to accommodate UAS within close proximity to an airport.
He services on the Tarrant Community College Advisory Board and the Spartan College of Aeronautics Advisory Board.
